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CompletedNCT03433183Updated May 27, 2026Results posted

SARC031: MEK Inhibitor Selumetinib (AZD6244) in Combination With the mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus for Patients With Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

A Phase 2 interventional study of Selumetinib and Sirolimus in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors and Neurofibromatosis 1, sponsored by Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration. Completed at 5 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 12 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-27.

Sponsored by Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
21
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
12 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

To determine the clinical benefit rate of selumetinib in combination with sirolimus in patients with unresectable or metastatic neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) associated or sporadic MPNST.

Read the detailed description

I. Primary Objective

  • To determine the clinical benefit rate of selumetinib in combination with sirolimus in patients with unresectable or metastatic NF1 associated or sporadic MPNST

II. Secondary Objective(s)

  • To define and describe the toxicities of selumetinib in combination with sirolimus in patients with unresectable or metastatic NF1 associated or sporadic MPNST.
  • To assess the impact on intensity and pain interference and correlate to changes in clinical, imaging response and progression
  • To assess progression free and overall survival

Selumetinib will be given orally 50mg twice daily continuously and sirolimus will be given orally 4mg once daily with a cycle 1 day 1 loading dose of 12mg. One cycle will be 28 days. Patients will be able to remain on treatment as long as they do not experience progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Stage 1 will require 7 patients, with no further accrual if 0 of 7 respond. If 1 or greater of the 7 patients respond, accrual will continue until 21 patients have been enrolled.

02

Conditions studied

  • Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
  • Neurofibromatosis 1
03

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 12 years of age
  • Patients with unresectable or metastatic histologically confirmed sporadic or NF1 associated MPNST.
  • Patients must have measureable disease by RECIST.
  • Patients must have experienced progression after one or more prior regimens of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patients who have refused cytotoxic chemotherapy or for whom treatment on this protocol prior to receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy is felt to be in the best interest for the patient by the local investigator will also be eligible.
  • Patients must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy prior to entering on this study.
  • No limitation on the number of prior chemotherapy regimens that the patient may have received prior to study entry.
  • The last dose of all myelosuppressive anticancer drugs must be at least 3 weeks prior to study entry.
  • The last dose of immunotherapy (monoclonal antibody or vaccine) must be at least 4 weeks prior to study entry.
  • The last dose of all biologic agents for the treatment of the patient's cancer (such as retinoids or tyrosine kinase inhibitors) must be at least 7 days prior to study entry.
  • The last dose of radiation to more than 25% of marrow containing bones (pelvis, spine, skull) must be at least 4 weeks prior to study entry. The last dose of all other local palliative (limited port) radiation must be at least 2 weeks prior to study entry.
  • At least 2 months post-autologous stem cell transplant or at least 3 months post-allogeneic transplant and recovered from toxicities without evidence of graft versus host disease and on stable doses of immunosuppressive medications if required.
  • The last dose of colony stimulating factors, such as filgrastim, sargramostim, and erythropoietin, must be at least 1 week prior to study entry, the last dose of long-acting colony stimulating factors, such as pegfilgrastim, must be at least 2 weeks prior to study entry.
  • No other anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy) is permitted.
  • Karnofsky performance level ≥ 50%.
  • Patients who are unable to walk because of paralysis or motor weakness, but who are up in a wheelchair will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of calculating the performance score.
  • Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≥1000/μL
  • Platelet count ≥75,000/μL (transfusion independent (no transfusion within at least 7 days prior to enrollment)
  • Total bilirubin must be ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • SGPT (ALT) must be ≤ 3.0 times ULN
  • Serum creatinine ≤ ULN or creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73 m2
  • Serum triglyceride level ≤300 mg/dL and serum cholesterol level ≤ 300 mg/dL (Patient may be on lipid-lowering medicine)
  • Normal ejection fraction by ECHO or cardiac MRI >55%
  • QTcF ≤ 450ms
  • Fertile men and women of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective method of birth control.
  • Patients with central nervous system disease are eligible for enrollment if they have received prior radiotherapy or surgery to sites of CNS metastatic disease and are without evidence of clinical progression or stable disease at 4 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients receiving other anti-cancer agents are not eligible.
  • Patients who cannot swallow whole pills.
  • Patients receiving chronic, systemic treatment with corticosteroids or another immunosuppressive agent (for example cyclosporine). Topical or inhaled corticosteroids are allowed.
  • Patients should not receive immunizations with attenuated live vaccines within four weeks of study entry or during study period.
  • Any recent major surgery within a minimum of 4 weeks, with the exception of surgical placement for vascular access, or minor surgery (excluding tumor biopsies) within 14 days.
  • Patients who any known severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions or other conditions that could affect their participation in the study such as:

    • Severely impaired lung function defined as spirometry and DLCO that is 50% of the normal predicted value corrected for hemoglobin and alveolar volume and/or O2 saturation that is 88% or less at rest on room air. For patients who do NOT have respiratory symptoms (e.g. dyspnea at rest, known requirement for supplemental oxygen), pulmonary function test is not required.
    • Cardiac conditions as follows:

      • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥150/95 mmHg despite medical therapy).
      • Acute coronary syndrome within 6 months prior to starting treatment
      • Uncontrolled angina despite medical therapy
      • Symptomatic heart failure NYHA Class II-IV prior or current cardiomyopathy, or severe valvular disease
      • Prior or current cardiomyopathy
    • Uncontrolled Type 1 or 2 diabetes as defined by fasting serum glucose >1.5 x ULN
    • Uncontrolled infection
    • Pre-existing renal disease including glomerulonephritis, nephritic syndrome, Fanconi Syndrome, or renal tubular acidosis.
    • Current refractory nausea and vomiting, malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, resection of small bowel, symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease, or ulcerative colitis, or partial or complete bowel obstruction.
    • Ophthalmological conditions as follows:

      • Current or past history of retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED)/central serous retinopathy (CSR) or retinal vein occlusion
      • Intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mmHg or uncontrolled glaucoma
  • Supplementation with vitamin E greater than 100% of the daily recommended dose.
  • Hypersensitivity to active or inactive excipients of rapamycins (sirolimus, temsirolimus or everolimus) or selumetinib or drugs with similar chemical structures or class to sirolimus or selumetinib.
  • Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol.
  • Seville orange, star fruit, grapefruit and their juices, and St. John's Wort use are not allowed while on study.
  • Exposure to strong or moderate inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4/5, Pgp (MDR1) and BCRP if taken within the stated washout periods before the first dose of study treatment.
  • Exposure to specific substrates of drug transporters OATP1B1, OATP1B3, MATE1 and MATE2K within the appropriate washout periods (a minimum of 5 x reported elimination half-life) before the first dose of study treatment.
04

Study design

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

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Selumetinib and Sirolimus

    A Simon's two-stage phase 2 trial of MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus to determine the safety and clinical benefit in patients with unresectable or metastatic MPNSTs. Both agents will be given orally on an empty stomach. Selumetinib will be given orally at a dose of 50mg twice daily continuously. Sirolimus will be given orally at a dose of 4mg once daily with a cycle 1 day 1 loading dose of 12mg. Each cycle will be considered 28 days.

    Drug: Selumetinib · Drug: Sirolimus

Interventions

  • DrugSelumetinib

    Selumetinib (AZD6244) is an oral selective inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) 1/2 currently in development for adult malignancies, pediatric low-grade gliomas and NF1 plexiform neurofibromas. MEK is a critical kinase in the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathway for many growth factor receptors that provide growth signals to cancer cells.

    Also known as: AZD6244

  • DrugSirolimus

    Sirolimus is a macrocyclic lactone produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus and inhibitor of mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) serine threonine kinase, which plays a critical role in regulating cellular energy sensing, growth and metabolism.

    Also known as: Rapamycin

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Clinical Benefit Rate of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.

    An evaluable patient will be classified as a responder if the patient achieves a partial response (PR), complete response (CR) or stable disease (SD) ≥ 4 cycles.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Progression Free (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS)

    Determined using the Kaplan-Meier method with PFS at important time points reported along with 95% two sided confidence intervals.

    Time frame: PFS is the duration of time from the start of treatment to the time of objective progression or death whichever happens first up to 4 years. OS is the duration of time from the start of treatment to the time of death; assessed up to 4 years.

  2. Define and Describe the Toxicities of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.

    Treatment-emergent adverse events occurring after initiation of selumetinib in combination with sirolimus were assessed and graded according to CTCAE v5.0. The safety population included all participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

  3. Assess the Impact on Pain Interference

    Change in Pain Interference (PROMIS) from baseline to pre-cycle 2 (calculated as the score pre-cycle 2 minus the score at baseline). Positive values indicate increasing pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain The statistical test assesses if there is a significant change in pain interference from baseline to pre-cycle 2 Wilcoxon signed-rank test T-scores are standardized to the general population with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Higher scores indicate worse anxiety symptoms. A T-score of 55-60 indicates mild pain interference, 60-70 indicates moderate pain interference, and 70-80 indicates severe pain interference.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

  4. Assess the Impact on Pain Severity

    Change in Pain Intensity, as assessed on the numerical rating scale 11, from baseline to pre-cycle 2 (calculated as the score pre-cycle 2 minus the score at baseline). Positive values indicate increasing pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain The statistical test assesses if there is a significant change in pain intensity from baseline to pre-cycle 2 Wilcoxon signed-rank test The Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) is a self-report segmented 11-point numeric scale that assesses pain severity. It consists of a horizontal line with 0 representing "no pain" at the right end of the line and 10 representing "worst pain you can imagine" at the left end.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

06

Results

Posted May 27, 2026

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneSelumetinib and Sirolimus
Started21
Completed21
Not completed0

Outcome measures

PrimaryClinical Benefit Rate of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.

An evaluable patient will be classified as a responder if the patient achieves a partial response (PR), complete response (CR) or stable disease (SD) ≥ 4 cycles.

Time frame:
Up to 6 months
Reported as:
Number · Proportion
Clinical Benefit Rate of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.
ProportionSelumetinib and Sirolimus
Clinical Benefit Rate of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.0.095 (0.0167 to 0.32)
Statistical analysis
  • Selumetinib and Sirolimus · Proportion of participants: 0.095 · 95% CI 0.0167 to 0.32
SecondaryProgression Free (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS)

Determined using the Kaplan-Meier method with PFS at important time points reported along with 95% two sided confidence intervals.

Time frame:
PFS is the duration of time from the start of treatment to the time of objective progression or death whichever happens first up to 4 years. OS is the duration of time from the start of treatment to the time of death; assessed up to 4 years.
Reported as:
Median · Months
Progression Free (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS)
MonthsSelumetinib and Sirolimus
PFS1.97 (1.71 to 3.65)
OS6.12 (3.55 to 10.39)
SecondaryDefine and Describe the Toxicities of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.

Treatment-emergent adverse events occurring after initiation of selumetinib in combination with sirolimus were assessed and graded according to CTCAE v5.0. The safety population included all participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

Time frame:
Up to 6 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Define and Describe the Toxicities of Selumetinib in Combination With Sirolimus in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic NF1 Associated or Sporadic MPNST.
ParticipantsSelumetinib and Sirolimus
Infection, cecal — Grade 31
Infection, cecal — Grade 40
Infection, cecal — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Anemia — Grade 31
Anemia — Grade 40
Anemia — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Dyspnea — Grade 31
Dyspnea — Grade 40
Dyspnea — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Hypertension — Grade 31
Hypertension — Grade 40
Hypertension — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Hypokalemia — Grade 31
Hypokalemia — Grade 40
Hypokalemia — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Hypoxia — Grade 31
Hypoxia — Grade 40
Hypoxia — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Hypophosphatemia — Grade 30
Hypophosphatemia — Grade 41
Hypophosphatemia — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Mucositis, oral — Grade 31
Mucositis, oral — Grade 40
Mucositis, oral — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
Pleural effusion — Grade 31
Pleural effusion — Grade 40
Pleural effusion — No Grade 3-4 AE reported20
SecondaryAssess the Impact on Pain Interference

Change in Pain Interference (PROMIS) from baseline to pre-cycle 2 (calculated as the score pre-cycle 2 minus the score at baseline). Positive values indicate increasing pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain The statistical test assesses if there is a significant change in pain interference from baseline to pre-cycle 2 Wilcoxon signed-rank test T-scores are standardized to the general population with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Higher scores indicate worse anxiety symptoms. A T-score of 55-60 indicates mild pain interference, 60-70 indicates moderate pain interference, and 70-80 indicates severe pain interference.

Time frame:
Up to 6 months
Reported as:
Median · PROMIS T-Score
Assess the Impact on Pain Interference
PROMIS T-ScoreSelumetinib and Sirolimus
Median at baseline61.5 (56.2 to 64.7)
Median pre Cycle 255.9 (52.5 to 61.3)
Statistical analysis
  • Selumetinib and Sirolimus · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.079This hypothesis test compared pre-cycle 2 pain interference to baseline pain interference for all patients to assess if pain interference had changed
SecondaryAssess the Impact on Pain Severity

Change in Pain Intensity, as assessed on the numerical rating scale 11, from baseline to pre-cycle 2 (calculated as the score pre-cycle 2 minus the score at baseline). Positive values indicate increasing pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain The statistical test assesses if there is a significant change in pain intensity from baseline to pre-cycle 2 Wilcoxon signed-rank test The Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) is a self-report segmented 11-point numeric scale that assesses pain severity. It consists of a horizontal line with 0 representing "no pain" at the right end of the line and 10 representing "worst pain you can imagine" at the left end.

Time frame:
Up to 6 months
Reported as:
Median · Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) score
Assess the Impact on Pain Severity
Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) scoreSelumetinib and Sirolimus
Median at baseline6.0 (2.5 to 9.5)
Median pre Cycle 25.0 (2.5 to 6.5)
Statistical analysis
  • Selumetinib and Sirolimus · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.30This hypothesis test compared pre-cycle 2 pain severity to baseline pain severity for all patients to assess if pain severity had changed during treat

Adverse events

Collected over All-cause mortality was monitored from enrollment until death or end of follow-up, up to 4 years. Serious and other adverse events were assessed from first study treatment through 30 days after the last treatment or until resolution or stabilization of the adverse event (whichever occurs last), up to 4 years.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Selumetinib and Sirolimus2/21 (9.5%)21/21 (100%)21/21 (100%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 25
Most frequent serious events
EventSelumetinib and Sirolimus
LYMPHOCYTE COUNT DECREASEDBlood and lymphatic system disorders5/21
ANEMIABlood and lymphatic system disorders3/21
ABDOMINAL PAINGastrointestinal disorders2/21
HYPERTENSIONCardiac disorders2/21
HYPOKALEMIAMetabolism and nutrition disorders2/21
HYPOXIARespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders2/21
MULTI-ORGAN FAILUREGeneral disorders2/21
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONInfections and infestations2/21
ADMITTED FOR WOUND EROSION WITH POSSIBLE SUPERINFECTIONInfections and infestations1/21
CECAL INFECTIONInfections and infestations1/21
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 110
Most frequent other events
EventSelumetinib and Sirolimus
NAUSEAGastrointestinal disorders12/21
HYPOALBUMINEMIAMetabolism and nutrition disorders9/21
RASH ACNEIFORMSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders9/21
HYPERGLYCEMIAMetabolism and nutrition disorders8/21
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE INCREASEDHepatobiliary disorders7/21
ANEMIABlood and lymphatic system disorders7/21
FATIGUEGeneral disorders7/21
VOMITINGGastrointestinal disorders7/21
EDEMA LIMBSGeneral disorders7/21
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASEDHepatobiliary disorders6/21

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Selumetinib and Sirolimus
<=18 years1
Between 18 and 65 years18
>=65 years2
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Selumetinib and Sirolimus
Median41 (16 to 72)
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Selumetinib and Sirolimus
Female7
Male14
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Selumetinib and Sirolimus
American Indian or Alaska Native1
Asian1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American3
White15
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported1
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Selumetinib and Sirolimus
United States21
07

Study locations

5 sites
  • Children's National Medical Center
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20010, United States
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
  • National Cancer Institute
    Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
  • Washington University
    St Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
08

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Oct 4, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03433183
Lead sponsor
Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration
Collaborators
United States Department of Defense, AstraZeneca
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 14, 2018
Start date
Oct 2, 2019
Primary completion
Jun 22, 2022
Completion
Oct 1, 2023
Results posted
May 27, 2026
Last update
May 27, 2026

Study contacts

AeRang Kim, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Children's National Research Institute
Brigitte Widemann, MD
principal investigator · National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Oversight

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

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