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Niraparib in Combination with Cabozantinib (XL184) in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Cancer (NICARAGUA)

A Phase I-II Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Niraparib in Combination with Cabozantinib (XL184) in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Cancer After Failure to First-line Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03425201
Acronym
NICARAGUA
Enrollment
67
Registered
2018-02-07
Start date
2019-10-14
Completion date
2024-07-31
Last updated
2024-12-31

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

Conditions

Urothelial Cancer

Brief summary

Cabozantinib is an oral, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Its primary targets are Hepatocyte growth factor receptor protein (MET), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1-3 (VEGFR1-3), RET, AXL, FLT3 and KIT. Cabozantinib has been approved by the FDA for clinical treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Recently published trials have demonstrated activity for cabozantinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Furthermore, in preclinical models of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder, cabozantinib has demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor xenograft growth. It has been suggested that levels of soluble Met ectodomain (sMet) can be measured in the urine as a useful biomarker to monitor the efficacy of c-Met therapy in bladder cancer patients. Moreover, cabozantinib has demonstrated activity in heavily pretreated, advanced bladder cancer patients, with a response rate of 19.5% and manageable toxicities. In the phase I of this study it is proposed to evaluate DLTs of niraparib and cabozantinib combination and determine maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in patients with advanced urothelial or renal cell carcinoma. In the phase II it is proposed to make a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of this combination in patients with urothelial cell carcinoma. Efficacy results will be correlated with genomic alterations related to c-Met and Poly \[ADP-ribose\] polymerase (PARP) inhibitor activity.

Detailed description

Bladder cancer is the 9th most common cancer worldwide, with around 429.800 new cases diagnosed in 2012 and the 5th most common cancer in Europe, with more than 151.000 new cases diagnosed in 2012. Relating mortality figures, bladder cancer is the 13th most common cause of cancer death worldwide, with around 165.100 deaths from bladder cancer in 2012 and the 9th in Europe, with around 52.400. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the standard treatment in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC).This regimen has been associated with a median survival of 14-15 months. The prognosis of patients who progress after a platinum-based regimen is dismal. Several chemotherapy drugs tested in the second-line setting, such as taxanes, vinflunine and pemetrexed, have demonstrated limited activity, with response rates of 5-20%, median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2-4 months, and median survival of 6-8 months. Thus, there are significant unmet medical needs in the second-line setting. New therapeutic targets should be tested in urothelial carcinoma to improve these results. Therapies targeting DNA repair pathways can exploit DNA repair defects in cancer cells to generate synthetic lethality. Alterations in DNA repair pathways have been associated with response to DNA-damaging agents. For example, defective homologous recombination (HR) plays a crucial role in tumors where platinum agents are involved in therapeutic management, as well as in those treated with PARP inhibitors, which have synthetic lethal effects when applied to cells with defective HR. Targeted mutational profiling of HR genes using next-generation sequencing has been used to identify mutations of key HR genes. Furthermore, HR-defective tumors exhibit genomic instability, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH), telomeric allelic imbalance (TAI) and large-scale state transitions (LST). A combined HR deficiency score (myChoice homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) test from Myriad Genetics) defined as the sum of LOH, TAI and LST has been developed. This score has been associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy and in ovarian cancer with the efficacy of niraparib in patients without germline breast cancer gene (gBRCA) mutations. In patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), the Cancer Genome Atlas project found 31% of alterations in BRCA1-2 genes, mainly related to copy number and overexpression. In addition, a high percentage of tumors had alterations in other DNA repair genes. Recently, in platinum-treated UC patients, 47% of mutations in DNA repair genes have been found, including 50% of mutations in HR, Fanconi anemia, and DNA-damage-response checkpoint pathways. The presence of these mutations has been associated with survival. These results suggest a potential role for PARP inhibitors in UC. Niraparib is a highly selective inhibitor of poly (adenosine diphosphate \[ADP\]-ribose) polymerase (PARP)1/2 nuclear protein. PARP enzymes are involved in DNA repair through activation of the base excision repair (BER) pathway and alternative end-joining pathways and inhibition of non-homologous end-joining. PARP inhibition in cells with HR deficiency causes accumulation of unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks, leading to cell death. For these reasons, PARP inhibitors are selectively lethal in tumor cells with defective HR. Niraparib at the recommended oral dose of 300 mg daily has demonstrated efficacy in platinum- sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer with defective HR. The most significant toxicity was hematologic (thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia). Among non-hematologic toxicities, hypertension was detected in 8% of patients. c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is activated by its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and induces increased proliferation, migration, motility, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. c-Met is overexpressed in more than 60% of metastatic bladder cancer patients and is linked to poor outcome. Furthermore, in bladder cancer, c-Met is co-expressed with other RTKs, such as AXL and PDGFR. Some evidence suggests a relationship between c-Met and AXL expression with DNA damage response and resistance to chemotherapy. For example, Balaji et al have demonstrated that AXL inhibition leads to a defect in the HR pathway, sensitizing cells to PARP inhibition. In a recently published study, a significant interaction between c-Met and Poly \[ADP-ribose\] polymerase 1 (PARP1) was detected in breast cancer cell lines. c-Met activity can decrease response to PARP inhibitors, whereas treatment with c-Met inhibitors renders cells more sensitive to PARP inhibition. Likewise, in in vivo models with xenograft tumors, the combination of c-Met and PARP inhibitors showed a significant reduction in tumor growth compared to either inhibitor alone. This interaction can be explained because c-Met mediates PARP1 function through phosphorylation of PARP1 at Y907. These results raise the possibility that bladder cancer patients with tumors overexpressing c-Met can benefit from the combination of c-Met inhibitors and PARP inhibitors. Cabozantinib is an oral, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Its primary targets are MET, VEGFR1-3, RET, AXL, FLT3 and KIT. Cabozantinib has been approved by the FDA for clinical treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. The recommended dose of cabozantinib has been established in phase I trials at 60 mg/day in 28-day cycles. Recently published trials have demonstrated activity for cabozantinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Furthermore, in preclinical models of UC of the bladder, cabozantinib has demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor xenograft growth. It has been suggested that levels of soluble Met ectodomain (sMet) can be measured in the urine as a useful biomarker to monitor the efficacy of c-Met therapy in bladder cancer patients. Moreover, cabozantinib has demonstrated activity in heavily pretreated, advanced bladder cancer patients, with a response rate of 19.5% and manageable toxicities. In the phase I of this study it is proposed to evaluate DLTs of niraparib and cabozantinib combination and determine MTD in patients with advanced urothelial or renal cell carcinoma. In the phase II it is proposed to make a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of this combination in patients with urothelial cell carcinoma. Efficacy results will be correlated with genomic alterations related to c-Met and PARP inhibitor activity.

Interventions

DRUGNiraparib plus Cabozantinib

Non-randomized trial will comprise 2 stages. A dose escalation phase will characterize the safety, tolerability, DLTs and MTD, of oral niraparib plus cabozantinib in patients with urothelial or renal cell carcinoma. Subsequently, the phase II will further evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of this combination in patients with urothelial carcinoma.

Sponsors

Ipsen
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
GlaxoSmithKline
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Apices Soluciones S.L.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Fundacion CRIS de Investigación para Vencer el Cáncer
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Open-label, multicenter, phase I/II dose-escalation study

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

Phase I study: 1. Histologically confirmed UC of the urinary tract or renal cell carcinoma 2. Advanced or metastatic disease that is not amenable to curative surgery or radiation 3. Patients must be willing to provide a tumor specimen prior to enrollment 4. Previous therapy: i.Renal cell carcinoma: Prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) therapies is allowed ii.UC of the urinary tract: ≤2 previous chemotherapy regimens (including a platinum-based regimen) 5. Measurable disease will not be required 6. The remaining inclusion/

Exclusion criteria

will be identical to the phase II study 7. Recovery to at least grade I from toxicities related to prior treatment unless non clinically significant or stable on supportive therapy Phase II study: 1. Age ≥18 years 2. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) ≤1 3. Histologically confirmed UC of the bladder, urethra, ureter or renal pelvis (patients with mixed histologies will be allowed if urothelial is the predominant component). 4. Patients must have formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples available from the primary or recurrent cancer or agree to undergo fresh biopsy prior to study treatment initiation 5. Advanced or metastatic disease that is not amenable to curative surgery or radiation 6. Prior treatment with one prior cytotoxic regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy. If the only prior cytotoxic therapy was administered in perioperative (ie, neoadjuvant or adjuvant) settings, the patient will be eligible provided the interval from end of therapy to the diagnosis of metastatic disease is less than one year. 7. Confirmed progressive disease after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy 8. At least one measurable disease site that has not been previously irradiated 9. No prior therapy with Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) or c-Met inhibitors. 10. Prior anti programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and anti programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy is permitted 11. Adequate bone marrow, liver and renal functions as assessed by the following: * Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL; absolute neutrophil count ≥1500 cells/µL; platelets ≥100,000 g/µL; * Total bilirubin ≤1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (≤2.0 in patients with known Gilberts syndrome); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5 times ULN unless liver metastases are present, in which case they must be ≤5x ULN. * Serum creatinine ≤1.5x ULN or creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min using Cockcroft-Gault formula * Urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤1 mg/mg (113.2 mg/mmol) creatinine or 24-hr urine protein of \<1 g 12. Life expectancy greater than 3 months 13. Patients must be able to take oral medications 14. Participant receiving corticosteroids may continue as long as their dose is stable for least 4 weeks prior to initiating protocol therapy. 15. Participant must agree to not donate blood during the study or for 90 days after the last dose of study treatment. 16. Female participant has a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to taking study treatment if of childbearing potential and agrees to abstain from activities that could result in pregnancy from screening through 180 days after the last dose of study treatment, or is of non-childbearing potential. Non-childbearing potential is defined as follows (by other than medical reasons): * ≥45 years of age and has not had menses for \>1 year * Patients who have been amenorrhoeic for \<2 years without history of a hysterectomy and oophorectomy must have a follicle stimulating hormone value in the postmenopausal range upon screening evaluation a. Post-hysterectomy, post-bilateral oophorectomy, or post-tubal ligation. Documented hysterectomy or oophorectomy must be confirmed with medical records of the actual procedure or confirmed by an ultrasound. Tubal ligation must be confirmed with medical records of the actual procedure, otherwise the patient must be willing to use 2 adequate barrier methods throughout the study, starting with the screening visit through 180 days after the last dose of study treatment. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the established and preferred contraception for the patient. 17. Participant must agree to not breastfeed during the study or for 180 days after the last dose of study treatment. 18. Male participant agrees to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study treatment through 180 days after the last dose of study treatment. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the established and preferred contraception for the patient. 19. Participant must be able to understand the study procedures and agree to participate in the study by providing written informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Phase II: progression free survivalUp to 6 monthsTime from the date of first dose of study treatment to the date of progression or death (from any cause).
Phase I: maximum tolerated doseup to 1 monthHighest dose at which ≤1 out of 6 patients experience a DLT

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Phase II: Objective Response RateUp to 6 monthsResponse according to RECIST 1.1 criteria
Phase II: Disease Control RateUp to 6 monthsResponse according to RECIST 1.1 criteria
Phase II: Overall SurvivalUp to 6 monthsTime from the date of first dose of study treatment to the date of death due to any cause
Phase II: Duration of responseUp to 6 monthsTime from the date of response is achieved until documented tumor progression
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse EventsUp to 6 monthsNumber of events per patient

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Correlation of the activity of niraparib plus cabozantinib with the molecular profile of the tumorUp to 6 monthsImmunohistochemistry and RNA analysis of pre- and post-tumor samples

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 24, 2026