Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy for Neuroblastoma

Recruiting at8 trial locations

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Recruiting

Sponsor: Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Must not be taking: Somatostatin analogues, Investigational agents

Disqualifiers: Active malignancy, Cardiac failure, Uncontrolled infection, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing a new treatment called 67Cu-SARTATE for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. The treatment uses radiation to target and kill cancer cells. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and effective for these patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you must stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot have chemotherapy, anti-cancer cytokine therapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy within 2 weeks before the trial, and certain other treatments have specific time restrictions.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 64Cu-SARTATE and 67Cu-SARTATE for neuroblastoma?

Research shows that 64Cu-SARTATE can detect neuroblastoma cells, and 67Cu-SARTATE can treat them by targeting a specific receptor (SSTR2) found on most neuroblastoma tumors. In preclinical studies with mice, this approach helped identify and reduce minimal residual disease (small amounts of cancer that remain after treatment). ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy using Cu-SARTATE safe for humans?

The safety data for Cu-SARTATE is primarily from preclinical studies in mice, which showed its potential for detecting and treating neuroblastoma. While these studies are promising, they do not provide direct evidence of safety in humans. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the drug 67Cu-SARTATE different from other treatments for neuroblastoma?

67Cu-SARTATE is unique because it targets a specific receptor (SSTR2) found on most neuroblastoma tumors, allowing it to both detect and treat the disease. This dual function, known as a theranostic approach, uses a diagnostic agent to identify the cancer and a therapeutic agent to treat it, which is not common in standard neuroblastoma treatments. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma that's relapsed or not responding to standard treatments. They must have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks, adequate organ function, and a minimum performance status of 50. Participants need available stem cells for transplant and must use effective birth control if applicable.

Inclusion Criteria

I can do most activities but may need help.

My neuroblastoma is high-risk and hasn't fully responded to standard treatments.

I am over 18 and can consent, or if under 18, my guardian can consent for me.

Exclusion Criteria

I received a specific radioactive treatment within the last 8 weeks.

My major organs are healthy enough to handle the treatment.

I have undergone peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Dose Escalation

Participants receive a single administration of 67Cu-SARTATE as an IV infusion with dose escalation based on cohort allocation. Dose Limiting Toxicities are monitored for 6 weeks post administration.

6 weeks

Cohort Expansion

Participants receive at least 2 therapy cycles of 67Cu-SARTATE at the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) level. Additional therapy cycles may be offered based on therapeutic benefit.

Variable, up to 4 cycles

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments up to 36 months following the first dose.

36 months

No in-person visits required

Treatment Details

Interventions

• 64Cu-SARTATE (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy)
• 67Cu-SARTATE (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy)

Trial Overview The study tests the safety and effectiveness of a therapy called 67Cu-SARTATE in children with aggressive neuroblastoma. Patients first undergo a scan using 64Cu-SARTATE to ensure their tumors absorb the drug well enough before receiving the actual treatment.

Participant Groups

Group I: 67Cu-SARTATE Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

64Cu-SARTATE - patients will receive a bolus injection of 64Cu-SARTATE during screening, and following each 67Cu-SARTATE Therapy Cycle at a rate of 2.0 MBq/kg. 67Cu-SARTATE - In the dose escalation phase, patients will receive a single administration of 67Cu-SARTATE as an IV infusion (dose will be determined based on cohort allocation). In the expansion phase, patients will receive at least 2 administrations of 67Cu-SARTATE a the MTD level as a slow IV infusion. Participants in either phase of the study that demonstrate therapeutic benefit following treatment with 67Cu-SARTATE at any dose may be offered additional Therapy Cycles (each participant may receive a maximum of 4 Therapy Cycles in total).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

720+

Findings from Research

The study demonstrated that [64Cu]Cu-SARTATE effectively targets and detects neuroblastoma tumors expressing the SSTR2 receptor, with significant uptake in viable tumor regions and rapid clearance from non-target tissues, particularly the kidneys.

Therapeutic use of [67Cu]Cu-SARTATE starting two weeks after tumor cell inoculation significantly extended survival in a preclinical model of neuroblastoma by an average of 13 days, highlighting its potential as a treatment for minimal residual disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Detection and therapy of neuroblastoma minimal residual disease using [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE in a preclinical model of hepatic metastases. Dearling, JLJ., van Dam, EM., Harris, MJ., et al.[2021]

The peptide-linked copper chelator DOTA-R1-F(ab')2 showed superior performance in targeting neuroblastoma tumors, with higher tumor uptake and better tumor-to-tissue ratios compared to other conjugates in a mouse model.

CPTA-R1-F(ab')2 demonstrated improved biodistribution by reducing radioactivity in the kidneys, which may enhance safety and efficacy in therapeutic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A triglycine linker improves tumor uptake and biodistributions of 67-Cu-labeled anti-neuroblastoma MAb chCE7 F(ab')2 fragments. Zimmermann, K., Gianollini, S., Schubiger, PA., et al.[2019]

The study highlights the potential of using [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE as a theranostic tool for detecting and treating SSTR2-positive neuroblastoma in pediatric patients, particularly for addressing minimal residual disease after initial therapy.

The authors propose a new therapy-dosimetric equation to improve the estimation of therapeutic dosages based on initial diagnostic scans, which could enhance the effectiveness of future clinical applications of this approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An abbreviated therapy-dosimetric equation for the companion diagnostic/therapeutic [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE. Laffon, E., de Clermont, H., Marthan, R.[2021]

Copper-64 and Copper-67 isotopes are promising for cancer treatment and imaging, with Copper-64 suitable for PET imaging and Copper-67 for SPECT imaging and radiotherapy, thanks to their favorable decay characteristics.

Recent advancements in the production of Copper-67 have provided a reliable source with high purity, enhancing the potential for copper-based radiopharmaceuticals in diagnosing and treating various diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recent Advances in 64Cu/67Cu-Based Radiopharmaceuticals. Krasnovskaya, OO., Abramchuck, D., Erofeev, A., et al.[2023]

The monoclonal antibody chCE7, when labeled with Copper-67, demonstrated high and stable tumor uptake in neuroblastoma models, with significant increases in tumor-to-blood ratios over time, indicating effective targeting of the cancer cells.

Using the novel DO3A ligand for labeling chCE7 F(ab')2 fragments resulted in a fourfold increase in tumor uptake and a fourfold reduction in kidney radioactivity compared to the previous CPTA ligand, suggesting improved safety and efficacy for potential therapeutic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tumor uptake and metabolism of copper-67-labeled monoclonal antibody chCE7 in nude mice bearing neuroblastoma xenografts. Novak-Hofer, I., Zimmermann, K., Maecke, HR., et al.[2015]

The study demonstrated that 64Cu-labeled ch14.18 antibodies can specifically target neuroblastoma tumors, achieving a high accumulation rate of 31.6% ID/g in preclinical models, indicating their potential efficacy for targeted therapy.

Clinical PET/MRI scans using the radiolabeled antibodies successfully visualized neuroblastoma metastases in a patient, suggesting that this theranostic approach could be a valuable tool for therapy planning in pediatric patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translational immunoPET imaging using a radiolabeled GD2-specific antibody in neuroblastoma. Schmitt, J., Schwenck, J., Maurer, A., et al.[2022]

References

1. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Detection and therapy of neuroblastoma minimal residual disease using [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE in a preclinical model of hepatic metastases. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A triglycine linker improves tumor uptake and biodistributions of 67-Cu-labeled anti-neuroblastoma MAb chCE7 F(ab')2 fragments. [2019]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An abbreviated therapy-dosimetric equation for the companion diagnostic/therapeutic [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE. [2021]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recent Advances in 64Cu/67Cu-Based Radiopharmaceuticals. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tumor uptake and metabolism of copper-67-labeled monoclonal antibody chCE7 in nude mice bearing neuroblastoma xenografts. [2015]

6. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translational immunoPET imaging using a radiolabeled GD2-specific antibody in neuroblastoma. [2022]