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Testing the Safety of M6620 (VX-970) When Given With Standard Whole Brain Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Brain Metastases From Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer, or Neuroendocrine Tumors

Phase 1 Trial to Determine the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of M6620 (VX-970, Berzosertib) When Combined With Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBRT) in Patients With Brain Metastases From Lung Cancer

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02589522
Enrollment
15
Registered
2015-10-28
Start date
2017-05-22
Completion date
2026-09-18
Last updated
2025-10-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Metastatic Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasm, Metastatic Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Lung Small Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Brain, Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IVA Lung Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IVB Lung Cancer AJCC v8

Brief summary

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of berzosertib (M6620 \[VX-970\]) when given together with whole brain radiation therapy in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, or neuroendocrine tumors that have spread from the original (primary) tumor to the brain (brain metastases). Berzosertib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving berzosertib together with radiation therapy may work better compared to standard of care treatment, including brain surgery and radiation therapy, in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, or neuroendocrine tumors.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To conduct a phase 1 dose escalation trial in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of twice weekly intravenous (i.v.) M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) administered concurrent with conventionally fractionated whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), with M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) starting 18-30 hours after the first dose of radiation (but prior to the second fraction of radiation). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the incidence of \>= grade 3 delayed neurological toxicity at 2, 4 and 6-months post-completion of whole-brain radiotherapy (for patients without intracranial progression). II. To observe and record anti-tumor activity. IIa. To estimate the radiological response rates (RR) at 6 months including bi-directional and volumetric measurements of lesion size. IIb. To estimate the intracranial 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). EXPLORATORY/HYPOTHESIS GENERATING OBJECTIVES: I. Changes in dynamic susceptibility contrast enhancement (DSC-magnetic resonance imaging \[MRI\]) perfusion and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). (Group I) II. To measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) levels, tumor M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) levels, and pATR T1989, pCHK1 S345 and RAD51 multiplex foci. (Group II) III. Changes in DSC-MRI perfusion and mean ADC measurements in DWI. (Group II) OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of berzosertib. Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. GROUP I: Patients undergo whole-brain radiation therapy once daily (QD), 5 days a week for 15 fractions. Patients also receive berzosertib intravenously (IV) over 60-90 minutes twice a week, 18-30 hours after first radiation therapy. Treatment continues for 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. GROUP II: Patients receive berzosertib IV over 60-90 minutes 2-4 hours prior to surgery. After surgery, patients undergo whole-brain radiation therapy and receive berzosertib as in Group I. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 2 months for 6 months, every 3-4 months for 6 months, then every 6 months for 1 year.

Interventions

Given IV

OTHERQuality-of-Life Assessment

Ancillary studies

PROCEDURETherapeutic Conventional Surgery

Undergo surgery

Undergo whole-brain radiation therapy

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including neuroendocrine tumors or small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who are being evaluated for palliative WBRT (with or without neurosurgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery \[SRS\]) for radiologically or histologically diagnosed brain metastases presumed to be from the lung cancer are eligible for this Phase I study. Group 2 will only include NSCLC patients. * Life expectance of greater than two months to allow completion of study treatment and assessment of dose-limiting toxicity * Group 2 patients should have archived or fresh tumor tissue available from the non-craniotomy site and will have fresh tumor tissue available from the planned craniotomy * Age \>= 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) in patients \< 18 years of age, children are excluded from this study, but will be eligible for future pediatric trials. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2 (Karnofsky \>= 60%) * Note: though patients with ECOG performance status of 3 due to neurological deficits who are otherwise fit to receive systemic therapy per clinician assessments will be allowed * Leukocytes \>= 3,000/mcL * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,500/mcL * Platelets \>= 100,000/mcL * If no known liver metastases: total bilirubin \< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN); if known liver metastases, then: total bilirubin \< 2.5 x ULN * If no known liver metastases: aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) \< 2 x ULN; if known liver metastases, then: AST/SGOT of ALT/SGPT \< 5 x ULN * Creatinine within normal institutional limits for age OR creatinine clearance \>= 45 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for patients with creatinine levels above ULN * Negative serum or urine pregnancy test result for females of child bearing potential * The effects of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and because radiation therapy is known to have teratogenic potential, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 6 months after completion of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) administration. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with 1-3 brain metastases, each \< 3 cm by contrast MRI, with stable systemic disease and ECOG score of 0-2, who would otherwise be eligible for SRS/stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) alone should not be enrolled into this study unless WBRT is recommended due to any medical reasons or logistic limitations as determined by the treating physician. Patients who develop recurrence post-SRS/SRT or surgery alone and are recommended WBRT will be eligible for the protocol. * Greater than 1 cm mid-line shift, severe uncal herniation or significant hemorrhage/hydrocephalus (intra-lesional hemorrhage is acceptable). Patients with seizure at presentation who have been started on levetiracetam and have been stable for 48 hours prior to study registration are eligible at the discretion of treating physician * Patients who have received systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or, immunotherapy or other intravenous standard therapy for 2 weeks before initiation of planned WBRT, for oral targeted agents 3-7 days per clinician discretion or patients who have not recovered to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 2 or less from serious (CTCAE grade 3 or more) adverse events form the previously received agents. For any other investigational agents, at least 4 half-lives of the agent (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) should have elapsed prior to starting study treatment * Patients must not have received prior WBRT (previous SRS/SRT done at least 2 weeks from the planned start of WBRT is acceptable). Patients planned upfront to undergo SRS/SRT/fractionated boosts or neurosurgery after WBRT are not eligible; however, these treatments/procedures can be performed once the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) assessment has been completed, if felt clinically necessary * Pregnant women are excluded from this study because M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) as a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-damage response (DDR) inhibitor may have the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Further, radiation therapy is known to have the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib), breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib). * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib). * M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 4 (CYP3A4); therefore, concomitant administration with strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 should be avoided. Because the lists of these agents are constantly changing, it is important to regularly consult a frequently-updated medical reference for a list of drugs to avoid or minimize use of. As part of the enrollment/informed consent procedures, the patient will be counseled on the risk of interactions with other agents, and what to do if new medications need to be prescribed or if the patient is considering a new over-the-counter medicine or herbal product. Ongoing phenytoin should be either discontinued if clinically safe or transitioned to non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptics like levetiracetam with a 8-day washout period (half-life 18-22 hours, time to steady-state 4-8 days) prior to first dose of M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) (7-days prior to WBRT). * Patients needing more than 8 mg dexamethasone per day at the time of start of WBRT will not be eligible to participate in the study. However, patients will be allowed entry into the study if it is medically safe to reduce the daily dose of dexamethasone to 8 mg or less from the day of the start of WBRT. The dexamethasone dose for such patients may be increased beyond 8 mg per day during the course of treatment if medically necessary. This increased need for dose should be communicated to the study's principal investigator, Dr Mohindra at the University of Maryland. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would increase the risk of toxicity or limit compliance with study requirements. This includes but is not limited to, ongoing uncontrolled serious infection requiring i.v. antibiotics at the time of registration, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) and the uncertainties of any impact thereof on the radiation toxicities. In addition, these patients are at increased risk of lethal infections when treated with marrow-suppressive therapy. Appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated. * Patients with known diagnoses that are associated with germline DDR defects such as Li Fraumeni syndrome and ataxia telangiectasia are excluded from the study as M6620 (VX-970, berzosertib) is a DDR inhibitor.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting ToxicityUp to 3 weeks after completing whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT)Defined as any grade 3 or more non-hematological toxicity requiring more than 5 day interruption in therapy or any grade 4 or higher hematological toxicity that is attributable to the berzosertib (M6620 \[VX-970\]) and/or whole brain radiotherapy

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of Delayed Neurological ToxicityUp to 6-months post-completion of WBRTAssessed using Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. Incidence of events will be expressed as proportions with exact 95% confidence limits.
Overall Survival (OS)12 monthsKaplan-Meier estimates of OS will be calculated. For calculation of OS, patients alive at last follow-up will be censored. Exploratory Cox regression analysis with M6620 (VX-970) dose as a covariate will be performed.
Changes in Quality of LifeBaseline to up to 6 months post-completion of WBRTMeasured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain. Descriptive statistics of the actual change scores will also be provided. The median change score and quartiles will be reported. Where relevant the proportion of patients experiencing a clinically significant change in score will be reported with 95% confidence limits.
Radiological Response Rate6 monthsPer Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR) is the disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR) is \>=30% decrease in the sum of the target lesions; Disease Progression (PD) is \>= 20% increase in the smallest sum of the target lesions; Stable Disease (SD) is between PR and PD.
Intracranial Progression-free Survival (icPFS)6 monthsKaplan-Meier estimates of median icPFS will be calculated. Patients alive without intracranial progression at last follow-up will be censored at the date of the last radiologic assessment.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pharmacodynamic Properties of pATR T1989, pCHK1 S345 and RAD51 in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Post-M6620 (VX-970) Administration (Group II)At 3 weeks post completion of WBRT
Mean Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Group I and II)Up to 12 monthsDescriptive statistics of the actual change scores will be provided.
Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of M6620 (VX-970) (Group II)During surgery, pre-dose, and 2 hours and 50 minutes after start of M6620 (VX-970) infusionPharmacokinetics of the presence of M6620 (VX-970) in blood, CSF, and tissue will be assessed.
Changes in Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-magnetic Resonance Imaging Perfusion (Group I and II)Baseline to up to 12 monthsDescriptive statistics of the actual change scores will also be provided. The median change score and quartiles will be reported. Where relevant the proportion of patients experiencing a clinically significant change in score will be reported with 95% confidence limits.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Group 1 - Dose Level 1
Patients undergo whole-brain radiation therapy Monday through Friday for 3 weeks for a total of 15 fractions. Patients also receive berzosertib 50 mg by infusion over 60-90 minutes twice a week, 18-30 hours after first radiation therapy.
11
Group 1 - Dose Level 2
Patients undergo whole-brain radiation therapy Monday through Friday for 3 weeks for a total of 15 fractions. Patients also receive berzosertib 100 mg by infusion over 60-90 minutes twice a week, 18-30 hours after first radiation therapy.
4
Group 2
Patients receive berzosertib at the identified dose in Group 1 by infusion over 60-90 minutes 2-4 hours prior to surgery. After surgery, patients undergo whole-brain radiation therapy Monday through Friday for 3 weeks for a total of 15 fractions. Patients also receive berzosertib at the dose identified in Group 1 by infusion over 60-90 minutes twice a week, 18-30 hours after first radiation therapy.
0
Total15

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyDid not start treatment100
Overall StudyPhysician Decision120

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGroup 1 - Dose Level 1TotalGroup 1 - Dose Level 2
Age, Continuous59 years59 years63 years
Body Surface Area1.9 meters squared (m^2)1.9 meters squared (m^2)1.9 meters squared (m^2)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
11 Participants15 Participants4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Height162.5 centimeter (cm)170 centimeter (cm)179.2 centimeter (cm)
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants2 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants13 Participants3 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
11 participants15 participants4 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants9 Participants1 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants6 Participants3 Participants
Weight74.5 kilogram (kg)72.7 kilogram (kg)69.3 kilogram (kg)

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
7 / 90 / 2
other
Total, other adverse events
9 / 92 / 2
serious
Total, serious adverse events
5 / 90 / 2

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting Toxicity

Defined as any grade 3 or more non-hematological toxicity requiring more than 5 day interruption in therapy or any grade 4 or higher hematological toxicity that is attributable to the berzosertib (M6620 \[VX-970\]) and/or whole brain radiotherapy

Time frame: Up to 3 weeks after completing whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT)

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting ToxicityExperiencing a dose limiting toxicity2 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting ToxicityNot experiencing a dose limiting toxicity7 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting ToxicityExperiencing a dose limiting toxicity0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Number of Participants With a Dose-limiting ToxicityNot experiencing a dose limiting toxicity2 Participants
Secondary

Changes in Quality of Life

Measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain. Descriptive statistics of the actual change scores will also be provided. The median change score and quartiles will be reported. Where relevant the proportion of patients experiencing a clinically significant change in score will be reported with 95% confidence limits.

Time frame: Baseline to up to 6 months post-completion of WBRT

Population: Not collected

Secondary

Incidence of Delayed Neurological Toxicity

Assessed using Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. Incidence of events will be expressed as proportions with exact 95% confidence limits.

Time frame: Up to 6-months post-completion of WBRT

Population: Not collected

Secondary

Intracranial Progression-free Survival (icPFS)

Kaplan-Meier estimates of median icPFS will be calculated. Patients alive without intracranial progression at last follow-up will be censored at the date of the last radiologic assessment.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Not collected.

Secondary

Overall Survival (OS)

Kaplan-Meier estimates of OS will be calculated. For calculation of OS, patients alive at last follow-up will be censored. Exploratory Cox regression analysis with M6620 (VX-970) dose as a covariate will be performed.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Study was closed before enrolling to Group 2.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Overall Survival (OS)Alive2 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Overall Survival (OS)Deceased6 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Overall Survival (OS)Not evaluable0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Overall Survival (OS)Alive0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Overall Survival (OS)Deceased0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Overall Survival (OS)Not evaluable2 Participants
Secondary

Radiological Response Rate

Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR) is the disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR) is \>=30% decrease in the sum of the target lesions; Disease Progression (PD) is \>= 20% increase in the smallest sum of the target lesions; Stable Disease (SD) is between PR and PD.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Study was closed before enrolling to Group 2.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Radiological Response RatePartial response0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Radiological Response RateDisease progression or Death6 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Radiological Response RateStable disease3 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Radiological Response RateNo assessment0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 1Radiological Response RateComplete response0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Radiological Response RateNo assessment1 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Radiological Response RateComplete response0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Radiological Response RatePartial response0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Radiological Response RateStable disease0 Participants
Group 1 - Dose Level 2Radiological Response RateDisease progression or Death1 Participants
Other Pre-specified

Changes in Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-magnetic Resonance Imaging Perfusion (Group I and II)

Descriptive statistics of the actual change scores will also be provided. The median change score and quartiles will be reported. Where relevant the proportion of patients experiencing a clinically significant change in score will be reported with 95% confidence limits.

Time frame: Baseline to up to 12 months

Population: Not collected

Other Pre-specified

Mean Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Group I and II)

Descriptive statistics of the actual change scores will be provided.

Time frame: Up to 12 months

Population: Not collected

Other Pre-specified

Pharmacodynamic Properties of pATR T1989, pCHK1 S345 and RAD51 in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Post-M6620 (VX-970) Administration (Group II)

Time frame: At 3 weeks post completion of WBRT

Population: Not collected

Other Pre-specified

Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of M6620 (VX-970) (Group II)

Pharmacokinetics of the presence of M6620 (VX-970) in blood, CSF, and tissue will be assessed.

Time frame: During surgery, pre-dose, and 2 hours and 50 minutes after start of M6620 (VX-970) infusion

Population: Not collected.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 14, 2026