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Randomized phase 2 study of Valproic acid combinEd with Simvastatin and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel-based regimens in untreated metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma patients (The VESPA trial)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC)
Registration Number
2024-518710-11-00
Lead Sponsor
IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale
Brief Summary

To test whether the combination of valproic acid and simvastatin plus gemcitabine/nabpaclitaxel- based regimens (AG or PAXG) may improve the efficacy of first-line gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel-based regimens in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).

Detailed Description

The study hypothesizes that valproic acid (VPA) in combination with simvastatin (SIM) may improve the efficacy of first-line gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel-based regimens and extend progression free survival (PFS) as compared with chemotherapy alone, in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).

Correlative studies on tumor and blood samples could identify potential biomarkers of toxicity and efficacy helping to define personalized treatment strategy and adding new insight into the antitumor mechanism of the combination approach.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Ongoing, recruiting
Sex
Not specified
Target Recruitment
240
Inclusion Criteria

Written informed consent to study procedures and to correlative studies.

Histologically or cytologically proven metastatic PDAC

No prior treatments (chemotherapy, radiation or surgery) for mPDAC

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤1 at study entry.

Imaging-documented measurable disease, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria.

Either sex aged ≥ 18

Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity is mandatory for patients enrolled in PAXG scheme

Adequate bone marrow haematological function: absolute neutrophil count (!NC) ≥ 1/5 x 109/L AND platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L !ND haemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL

Adequate liver function. total bilirubin ≤ 1/5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≤ 2 (in case of biliary stent) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (!LT) ≤ 5 X ULN/ Adequate renal function. serum creatinine ≤ 1/5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min in males and ≥50 mL/min in females (calculated according to Cockroft-Gault formula).

Exclusion Criteria

Prior malignancy within one year. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.

Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or any concurrent condition which in the investigator’s opinion makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study, or which would jeopardize compliance with the protocol, or would interfere with the results of the study.

Patients with long QT-syndrome or QTc interval duration > 480 msec or concomitant medication with drugs prolonging QTc

History of poor co-operation, non-compliance with medical treatment, unreliability or any condition that may impair the patient’s understanding of the Informed consent form

Participation in any interventional drug study within 30 days prior to treatment start.

Patients who cannot take oral medication, who require intravenous alimentation, have had prior surgical procedures affecting absorption, or have active peptic ulcer disease

Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice contraception during the study and until 6 months after the last trial treatment.

Prior chemotherapy or any other medical treatment for metastatic PDAC (previous adjuvant chemotherapy is allowed if terminated > 6 months previously).

Patients who have had prior treatment with an HDAC inhibitor and patients who have received compounds with HDAC inhibitor-like activity, such as valproic acid.

Current use of statins or fibrates or any medication for hypercholesterolemia for any time during the 3 months before the study.

Proven hypersensitivity to statins and to any component of the other medications used in the trial.

Major surgical intervention within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Brain metastasis

Hepatitis or any severe liver disorder

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Progression Free Survival (PFS) between two arms PFS is defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of objective disease progression by RECIST 1.1 criteria, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. PFS will be censored at the time of the last available tumor assessment documenting absence of progressive disease for patients alive at the time of analysis.

Progression Free Survival (PFS) between two arms PFS is defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of objective disease progression by RECIST 1.1 criteria, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. PFS will be censored at the time of the last available tumor assessment documenting absence of progressive disease for patients alive at the time of analysis.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
To compare the two arms in terms of: • Objective Tumor Response Rate (ORR) • Disease Control Rate (DCR) • Duration of Objective response (DOR) • CA19.9 level reduction • Overall survival (OS) • Overall toxicity rate • Quality of life (QoL)

To compare the two arms in terms of: • Objective Tumor Response Rate (ORR) • Disease Control Rate (DCR) • Duration of Objective response (DOR) • CA19.9 level reduction • Overall survival (OS) • Overall toxicity rate • Quality of life (QoL)

To evaluate mechanistically–based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers on blood samples.

To evaluate mechanistically–based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers on blood samples.

To explore prognostic factors and predictive biomarkers for response and toxicity on blood samples as well as primary tumors and resected metastases when available

To explore prognostic factors and predictive biomarkers for response and toxicity on blood samples as well as primary tumors and resected metastases when available

Trial Locations

Locations (12)

IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale

🇮🇹

Naples, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona

🇮🇹

Verona, Italy

Ospedale Vito Fazzi Lecce

🇮🇹

Lecce, Italy

IRCCS - Ospedale San Raffaele

🇮🇹

Milano, Italy

Pia Fondazione Di Culto E Religione Card G Panico

🇮🇹

Tricase, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti

🇮🇹

Foggia, Italy

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

🇮🇹

Rome, Italy

Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia

🇪🇸

Cordoba, Spain

Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario De Toledo

🇪🇸

Toledo, Spain

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IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale
🇮🇹Naples, Italy
Antonio Avallone
Site contact
+390815903629
a.avallone@istitutotumori.na.it
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