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RecruitingNCT05689619SILMETUpdated Dec 15, 2023

SILibinin in NSCLC and BC Patients With Single Brain METastasis (SILMET)

An interventional study of Silibinin and Placebo in Brain Metastases, Adult, Non Small Cell Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer, sponsored by A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza. Recruiting at 6 sites in Italy. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-12-15.

Sponsored by A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Sep 2025, 1 year 1 month ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Sep 2023; still recruiting 3 years 1 month later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
70
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of silibinin in preventing recurrence in the brain after complete resection of a brain metastasis (BM) from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or breast cancer (BC).

Read the detailed description

This is the first placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of silibinin as STAT3 inhibitor in preventing recurrence in the brain after gross-total resection of a brain metastasis (BM) from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or breast cancer (BC).

Participants will be randomized 1:1 to silibinin 1 g/day taken orally in comparison with oral placebo 1 g/day. A contrast-enhanced brain MRI will be performed every 8 weeks to evaluate intracranial local and distance recurrence

02

Conditions studied

  • Brain Metastases, Adult
  • Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Breast Cancer

Keywords

  • Silibinin
  • Single Brain Metastasis
  • Non-small-cell Lung Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
03

In context

Breast Neoplasms

12,544 studies on the registry are indexed under Breast Neoplasms; 2,892 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 70 is close to the median of 72 across 9,303 interventional studies indexed under Breast Neoplasms.

Browse Breast Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza is the lead sponsor of 63 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.

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

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 70 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Histologically confirmed BM from NSCLC or BC by local pathology
  • Single BM (maximum diameter of 3 cm) on MRI before surgery
  • Complete surgical resection (MRI-verified within 14 days prior randomization)
  • pSTAT3 score in reactive astrocytes of peritumoral tissue confirmed by local or central assessment
  • patient must have recovered from the effects of surgery, including post-operative infection, suture/stample removal from brain surgery and wound healing before randomization
  • ≥ 18 - 70 years of age
  • Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70 at assessment ≤ 14 days prior to randomization
  • patient has adequate bone marrow, renal, and hepatic function ≤ 21 days prior to randomization as follows:

    1. absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1500/mm3
    2. platelets ≥ 100000/ mm3
    3. Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dl (Note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dl is acceptable)
    4. renal function: calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 ml/min by the Cockcroft-Gault formula
    5. hepatic function: total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transferase (ALT) ≤ 3 times ULN. Subjects with Gilbert's syndrome documented in medical history may be enrolled if total bilirubin is \< 3 times ULN
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) without evidence of acute cardiac ischemia ≤ 21 days prior to randomization
  • Female subject of childbearing potential (i.e. those who are not postmenopausal for at least 1 year or surgically sterile by bilateral salpingectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy) should practice at least one accepted method of birth control listed below during study entry, for the entire duration of the study and for at least 6 months after treatment with silibinin has ended. Male subjects should practice at least one accepted method of birth control listed below during study entry, for the entire duration of the study and for at least 6 months after treatment with silibinin has ended. If using a condom, practice at least one other method of birth control listed below during the study for at least 6 months after silibinin treatment:

    • Combined (estrogen and progesterone contained) hormonal contraception (oral, intravaginal, transdermal) associated with the inhibition of ovulation
    • Progesterone-only hormonal contraception (oral, intravaginal, transdermal) associated with the inhibition of ovulation
    • Bilateral tubal occlusion/ligation
    • True abstinence: refraining from heterosexual intercourse when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject
    • A vasectomized male subject or a vasectomized partner of a female subject
    • Intrauterine device, IUD (females)
    • Double-barrier method (condoms, contraceptive sponge, diaphragm or vaginal ring with spermicidal jellies or cream) unless not deemed acceptable as highly effective contraception by local regulations
  • Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test (urine o serum) within 7 days prior the randomization
  • Must voluntarily sign and date informed consent form, for both tumor tissue biomarker testing and study participation, approved by an Independent Ethic Committee (IEC)/Institutional Review Board (IRB), prior to the initiation of any screening or study-specific procedures

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Absence of expression of STAT3 on the reactive astrocytes of brain metastases
  • Incomplete surgical resection and/or diameters > 3 centimeters of brain metastasis before surgery
  • Brain metastases that previously received any type of radiation therapy
  • Progressive systemic disease requiring a change of the antineoplastic therapy
  • Prior invasive malignancy (except for non-melanomatous skin cancer, oral cavity, or cervix) unless disease free for ≥ 2 years
  • Prior, concomitant, or planned treatment with experimental agents
  • Patients has had major immunologic reaction
  • Patient has had a history of hypersensitivity to silibinin or excipient
  • Patient is unsuitable to receive steroids
  • Patient is a lactating or pregnant female
  • Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows:

    • Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C or higher [score of 10 or higher]); subject with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 5-9) may be eligible for treatment
    • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure within the last 6 months
    • Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months
    • Evidence of recent myocardial infarction or ischemia by the findings of S-T elevations ≥ 2 mm using the analysis of an EKG performed within 21 days prior to enrollment
    • New York Heart Association grade2 or greater congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within 12 months prior to enrollment
    • History of stroke, cerebral vascular accident or transient ischemic attack within 6 months
    • Serious and inadequately controlled cardiac arrhythmia
    • Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of enrollment
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy at the time of enrollment
    • Subject with clinically defined Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-defining illness. This is necessary to ensure subjects are likely to be able to receive silibinin plus standard of care according to the systemic disease
    • Active connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma, that in the opinion of the Investigator may put the subject at high risk of toxicity
    • Any other major medical illnesses or psychiatric impairments that in the Investigator's opinion will prevent administrations or completion of protocol therapy
  • Patient treated on any other therapeutic clinical protocols within 30 days prior to study entry or during participation in the study except intra-operative therapy to guide resection or experimental imaging without therapeutic intent
  • Inability to undergo contrast-enhanced MRI scans
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator)
Enrollment
70 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Silibinin

    Silibinin (STAT3 inhibitor) 1 g/day taken orally every day

    Dietary Supplement: Silibinin

  • Placebo comparator
    Placebo

    Placebo 1 g/day taken orally every day

    Other: Placebo

Interventions

  • Dietary supplementSilibinin

    Silibinin 1 g/day taken orally plus standard systemic therapy for NSCLC or BC

    Also known as: Sillbrain

  • OtherPlacebo

    Placebo 1 g/day taken orally plus standard systemic therapy for NSCLC or BC

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. intracranial local recurrence

    to investigate whether silibinin delay the intracranial local recurrence in comparison to placebo

    Time frame: up to 12-24 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. intracranial distant recurrence

    to investigate whether silibinin delay or avoid the intracranial distant recurrence in comparison to placebo

    Time frame: up to 12-24 months

  2. Intracranial progression-free survival

    intracranial local plus distant recurrence

    Time frame: up to 12-24 months

  3. Overall progression-free survival

    intracranial plus systemic PFS

    Time frame: up to 12-24 months

  4. Overall survival

    to investigate whether silibinin improve the overall survival in comparison to placebo

    Time frame: up to 24 months

  5. Assessment of the quality of life of brain metastasis patients

    EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BN20

    Time frame: 8 weeks, 16 weeks, 24 weeks, 32 weeks, 40 weeks, 48 weeks, 56 weeks, thereafter every 24 weeks

  6. to determine incidence of adverse events

    Time frame: up to 12-24 months

07

Study locations

2 of 6 sites recruiting
  • Unità Operativa di Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino di Genova
    Genova, Italy
    Not yet recruiting
  • Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina
    Messina, Italy
    • Filippo Flavio Angileri · Contact
    • Maria Caffo · Sub investigator
    Recruiting
  • Institute of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University
    Rome, Italy
    • Alessandro Olivi · Contact
    Not yet recruiting
  • Neuro-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute
    Rome, Italy
    • Andrea Pace · Contact
    Not yet recruiting
  • Precision Medicine in Breast Cancer Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
    Rome, Italy
    • Alessandra Fabi · Contact
    Not yet recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
    Turin, 10126, Italy
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Priego N, Zhu L, Monteiro C, Mulders M, Wasilewski D, Bindeman W, Doglio L, Martinez L, Martinez-Saez E, Ramon Y Cajal S, Megias D, Hernandez-Encinas E, Blanco-Aparicio C, Martinez L, Zarzuela E, Munoz J, Fustero-Torre C, Pineiro-Yanez E, Hernandez-Lain A, Bertero L, Poli V, Sanchez-Martinez M, Menendez JA, Soffietti R, Bosch-Barrera J, Valiente M. STAT3 labels a subpopulation of reactive astrocytes required for brain metastasis. Nat Med. 2018 Jul;24(7):1024-1035. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0044-4. Epub 2018 Jun 11. Erratum In: Nat Med. 2018 Sep;24(9):1481. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0108-5. PubMed 29892069 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Principal Investigators will provide access to related study documents (e.g. protocol, statistical analysis plan, clinical study report) upon request from qualified researchers, and subjects with certain criteria, conditions, and exception that will be discussed with PI

Supporting information: Study protocol

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 15, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05689619
Lead sponsor
A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza
Responsible party
Alessia Pellerino (M.D., Ph.D., A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 19, 2023
Start date
Sep 1, 2023
Primary completion
Sep 1, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 1, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Dec 15, 2023

Study contacts

Pierangela Botta
Contact
botta.neuro.oncologia@gmail.com
+390116334904
Alessia Pellerino, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact
alessia.pellerino85@gmail.com
+390116334904

Oversight

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

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