ClinicalTrials.gg
Status unknownNCT03418558RESCUEUpdated Oct 31, 2018

Study of Trastuzumab-emtansine in Patients With HER2-positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Progressing After Trastuzumab and Lapatinib.

A Phase 2 interventional study of Trastuzumab emtansine in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, sponsored by Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia. Status unknown at 3 sites in Italy. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2018-10-31.

Sponsored by Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Oct 2018), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 2 years 6 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jul 2015, registered Jan 2018).
Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
13
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a phase II, open label, multicenter study. Patients with advanced colon rectal cancer (CRC) harboring an amplified HER2 that have been previously treated and progressed with an aNti-HER2 treatment, will be treated with the anti HER2 antibody conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (TDM1).

Patients will receive study medication until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent or death. Main objective of the study is the evaluation of objective response rate according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Disease control rate, defined as the sum of complete, partial and stable disease patients over total patient, followed by response duration, time to progression and safety are secondary endpoints.

Read the detailed description

In metastatic colorectal cancer, HER2 amplified patients relapsing after initial long-lasting response to the anti HER combination of trastuzumab + lapatinib, HER2 gene amplification, and the ensuing high levels of HER2 expression on the tumor surface, persist in spite of the tumor progression as determined by HER2 amplified ctDNA levels measured at progression and HER2 IHC findings on rebiopsies of resistant tumors. These findings offer an unexpected 'precision chemotherapy' rescue potential, in spite of progression under anti HER2 treatment and were confirmed experimentally in a HER2 amplified mCRC PDX (metastatic ColoRectal Carcinoma Patient Derived Xenografts), model generated from the viable biopsy of a relapsing HERACLES patient. In this model a randomized trial comparing TDM1 to pertuzumab versus control (6 animal per arm), showed that T-DM1, but not pertuzumab treated animals achieved tumor disappearance. The results of this experiment confirm the principle strength of targeted toxins which is based on their bipartite structure, with one component binding to a disease-specific cell-surface target molecule and the other conferring cytotoxicity, once internalized. In this case HER2 amplification confer to the tumor the characteristics of a 'molecular sponge' for TDM1 with the trastuzumab moiety targeting the still over-abundant HER2 bound to the cell-surface of anti HER2 resistant tumor cell clusters, thus allowing for a 'surgical' delivery of the emtansine cytotoxicity moiety. Given the good predictability of mCRC PDXs model, as testified by HERACLES TRIAL results (NCT03225937), investigators believe that this activity signal should be tested in the clinic. It is therefore proposed a proof-of-concept trial of T-DM1 in HER2 amplified mCRC patients progressing or relapsing after trastuzumab-lapatinib treatment.

02

Conditions studied

  • Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Keywords

  • HER2 AMPLIFICATION
03

In context

Colorectal Neoplasms

6,541 studies on the registry are indexed under Colorectal Neoplasms; 1,667 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 13 is below the median of 76 across 4,800 interventional studies indexed under Colorectal Neoplasms.

Browse Colorectal Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia is the lead sponsor of 39 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Histological/confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum with disease not amenable to salvage surgery.
  2. Progression (PD) during or after therapy with anti- therapy including those in HERACLES trial cohort A (trastuzumab and lapatinib) within the HERACLES - A trial.
  3. PS \< 2
  4. as defined by 1.1 criteria
  5. Adequate hematological function as defined by: >= 1.5 x 10\^9/L, count >=100 x 10\^9/L, >= 10 g/dL.
  6. Adequate renal function, as defined by: creatinine >= 1.5 x UNL
  7. Adequate hepatobiliary function, as defined by the following baseline liver function tests:

    1. total serum >=1.5 upper normal limit (UNL) (unless documented Gilbert's syndrome )
    2. (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >= 2.5xUNL
    3. alkaline phosphatase (AP) >= 2.5xUNL; if total alkaline phosphatase (AP) > 2.5xUNL, alkaline phosphatase liver fraction must be >= 2.5xUNL
  8. Adequate for all fertile patients
  9. Negative pregnancy test.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Symptomatic
  2. Active infection
  3. Interval from last anti therapy \< 2 weeks. Patients in treatment with T-DM1 (provided by third-parties) may be eligible for immediate treatment if not in progression at the time of protocol entry.
  4. Prior chemotherapy \<4 weeks.
  5. Impaired cardiac function including any of the following: uncontrolled hypertension (systolic >150 mmHg and/or diastolic > 100 mmHg) or (i.e. active) cardiovascular disease: cerebrovascular accident/stroke or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to first study medication; unstable angina; chronic heart failure (CHF) of (NYHA) Grade II or higher; or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication, baseline (LVEF) ≤ 55% measured by echocardiography (ECHO)
  6. Major surgery in the two weeks prior to entering the clinical trial
  7. Concurrent treatment with any other anti-cancer therapy
  8. Patient unable to comply with the study protocol owing to psychological, social or geographical reasons
  9. Pregnant and lactating women
  10. Men and women of who are not using an effective method of
  11. Participation in another clinical trial
  12. Subjects who have current active hepatic or biliary disease (with exception of patients with Gilbert's syndrome, asymptomatic gallstones, liver or stable chronic liver disease per investigator assessment).
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(16)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Metastases

Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.

HER2

HER2 is a protein, made from the ERBB2 gene, that drives the growth of some cancers. A study may look for a level of the protein, extra copies of the gene, or a particular change in it.

In breast cancer, protein tests are read as HER2-positive, HER2-low or HER2-negative; other cancers use their own rules. Check which test result the study requires.

ECOG performance status

A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.

0
Fully active, no restrictions.
1
Limited in strenuous activity, but walking and able to do light work, such as housework or office work.
2
Walking and able to look after yourself, but unable to work; up and about more than half of waking hours.
3
Able to look after yourself only in part; in bed or a chair more than half of waking hours.
4
Unable to look after yourself at all; in bed or a chair all day.

Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.

Measurable disease

The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.

The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.

RECIST

The standard rules for measuring tumours on CT or MRI scans, to tell whether a cancer is shrinking, stable or growing during treatment.

“Measurable disease per RECIST 1.1” usually means at least one tumour 10 mm or more at its longest on a CT scan, or a lymph node 15 mm or more across its short axis.

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.

It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.

Platelets

Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).

Bilirubin

A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.

Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Brain metastases

Cancer deposits in the brain from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body (CNS metastases include the spinal cord).

Studies differ: some leave out any brain metastases, some accept ones treated and stable for some weeks. Check what this study allows.

Clinically significant

Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.

NYHA class (heart failure)

The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.

I
No limits: ordinary activity causes no undue tiredness or breathlessness.
II
Slight limits: comfortable at rest, ordinary activity causes symptoms.
III
Marked limits: comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity causes symptoms.
IV
Symptoms even at rest; any activity makes them worse.

Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.

LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)

The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
13 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    HERACLES RESCUE

    Patients will receive trastuzumab-emtansine, iv 3,6 mg/kg every 21 days. Patients will receive study medication until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent or death, whichever come first

    Drug: Trastuzumab emtansine

Interventions

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Objective Response Rate according to RECIST 1.1 criteria

    Time frame: every 9 weeks from date of enrollment until the date of first documented progression or date of death for any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 48 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Description of the frequency and severity of Adverse Events based on the NCI -CTCAE V4.0

    Time frame: every 21 days from date of enrollment until the date of first documented progression or date of death for any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 48 months

  2. Progression Free Survival

    Progression Free Survival

    Time frame: every 9 weeks from date of enrollment until the date of first documented progression or date of death for any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 48 months

07

Study locations

1 of 3 sites recruiting
  • Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia
    Candiolo, 10060, Italy
    Completed
  • Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda
    Milano, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IOV - Istituto Oncologico Veneto
    Padova, Italy
    Completed
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Jul 2015 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jun 2019, 47 months after the start.

Of 498 non-industry phase 2 interventional studies under Colorectal Neoplasms, half reached primary completion within 55 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 33 and three quarters within 75. This study's planned 47 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 618 studies reached it within 49 months; a quarter within 31 and three quarters within 75.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jan 24, 2018
First posted
Feb 1, 2018
StartActual
Jul 8, 2015
Primary completionEst.
Jun 2019
CompletionEst.
Jun 2019
Last update
Oct 31, 2018
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 31, 2018, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03418558
Lead sponsor
Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 1, 2018
Start date
Jul 8, 2015
Primary completion
Jun 2019 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 2019 (estimated)
Last update
Oct 31, 2018

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is status unknown, as verified in Oct 2018. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Studies of the drug tested here: Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine

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