A Phase 1 interventional study of PCI 24781 and Temozolomide in Recurrent High Grade Glioma, Anaplastic Astrocytoma and Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma, sponsored by University of Nebraska. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 19 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-14.
Sponsored by University of Nebraska · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
Glioblastoma (GBM), WHO grade IV glioma, represents the majority of adult malignant primary brain tumors, with an incidence of 2-3 per 100,000 person-years. The survival for GBM has increased in the last decade but is still low with a median survival of 15-18 months. Recurrence after initial standard therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, few options are available. Even with further therapy, median progression free survival at 6 months after first relapse (PFS-6) is only 15%. Similarly, anaplastic astrocytoma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, grade III gliomas, once recurrent after radiation therapy and first-line chemotherapy, have identical therapeutic options and poor outcomes with PFS-6 of 31%. Temozolomide (TMZ) has a favorable side effect profile and is available orally, however, cytotoxicity occurs. Metronomic temozolomide at low doses on a continuous schedule, have demonstrated better survival in studies. This study will determine the recommended dose and the side effects of PCI-24781/Abexinostat with metronomic temozolomide.
Glioblastoma (GBM), WHO grade IV glioma, represents the majority of adult malignant primary brain tumors, with an incidence of 2-3 per 100,000 person-years. The survival for GBM has increased in the last decade but is still low with a median survival of 15-18 months. Recurrence after initial standard therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, few options are available. Even with further therapy, median progression free survival at 6 months after first relapse (PFS-6) is only 15%. Similarly, anaplastic astrocytoma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, grade III gliomas, once recurrent after radiation therapy and first-line chemotherapy, have identical therapeutic options and poor outcomes with PFS-6 of 31%. Temozolomide (TMZ) has a favorable side effect profile and is available orally, however, cytotoxicity occurs. Metronomic temozolomide at low doses on a continuous schedule, have demonstrated better survival in studies.
Participants will be enrolled to one of each of four dose levels in cohorts of 3. Dose level escalation/de-escalation will follow Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design rules based on analysis of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) that occur within the first cycle of protocol treatment. Protocol treatment will continue until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Dose Levels: 1 - 60 mg PCI-24781/Abexinostat two times daily (BID), 1.5 - 80 mg PCI-24781/Abexinostat BID, 2 - 100 mg PCI-24781/Abexinostat BID, and 3 - 140 mg PCI-24781/Abexinostat BID.
The primary study objective is to evaluate the toxicities and determine the recommended dose of PCI-24781/Abexinostat with metronomic temozolomide in participants with recurrent high grade glioma, [grade III or IV glioma (glioblastoma, gliosarcoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma)]. Other objects are to evaluate changes in the acetylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) histones H3 and H4 during treatment, evaluate acetylation of histones H3 and H4 using peripheral blood exosomes, evaluate progression-free and overall survival of participants with recurrent high grade glioma treated with therapy with PCI-24781/Abexinostat and metronomic temozolomide, descriptively examine quality of life (QOL) using EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and QLQ-BN20 questionnaire during treatment, characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of PCI-24781/Abexinostat, temozolomide, and the combination of the 2 drugs, measure tumor response, and correlate molecular profiles with tumor response.
1,452 studies on the registry are indexed under Glioma; 349 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 24 is below the median of 32 across 1,075 interventional studies indexed under Glioma.
Browse Glioma studies →University of Nebraska is the lead sponsor of 496 studies on the registry; 67 are open to participants now.
Of its 83 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 53 (64%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
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.
Exclusion Criteria:
Receiving treatment with following medications and unable to discontinue treatment or switch medications prior to study enrollment:
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.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
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.
Able to have children. For women this usually means from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery; for men, unless permanently sterile. Read who the line is about — participants, women, men, or their partners.
Criteria about it usually ask for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
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.
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
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.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
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.
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
On an ECG, the QT interval is the time the heart’s lower chambers take to activate electrically and recover in each beat. QTc is that time adjusted for heart rate (QTcF by Fridericia’s formula, QTcB by Bazett’s). Some medicines lengthen it, and a long QTc can raise the risk of a dangerous heart rhythm.
The study may name a correction formula and a limit in milliseconds, often around 450–480.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Reproductive potential
Able to have children. For women this usually means from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery; for men, unless permanently sterile. Read who the line is about — participants, women, men, or their partners.
Criteria about it usually ask for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
NYHA class (heart failure)
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECG (electrocardiogram)
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
QT and QTc
On an ECG, the QT interval is the time the heart’s lower chambers take to activate electrically and recover in each beat. QTc is that time adjusted for heart rate (QTcF by Fridericia’s formula, QTcB by Bazett’s). Some medicines lengthen it, and a long QTc can raise the risk of a dangerous heart rhythm.
The study may name a correction formula and a limit in milliseconds, often around 450–480.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive a combination of PCI-24781/Abexinostat and temozolomide: loading dose of PCI-24781/Abexinostat prior to the start of Cycle 1, PCI-24781/Abexinostat by mouth twice a day starting 7 days prior to Cycle 1, Day 1 and ending 4 days prior to Cycle 1, Day 1. Participants will continue taking PCI-24781/Abexinostat on days 1 - 4, 8 - 11, and 15 - 18 of each 28 day cycle, starting with Cycle 1, Day 1. The initial dose level is 60 mg of PCI-2478/Abexinostat by mouth twice daily. The dose level may be escalated based on results of interim data analysis. Participants will additionally initiate metronomic temozolomide on Cycle 1, Day 1 at a dose of 50 mg/m2, taken by mouth twice daily and continue the PCI-24781/Abexinostat and metronomic temozolomide regimen until disease progression or intolerance.
Drug: PCI 24781 · Drug: Temozolomide
Participants will take PCI-24781/Abexinostat on days 1 - 4, 8 - 11, and 15 - 18 of each 28-day cycle.
Also known as: Abexinostat
Participants will receive temozolomide at a dose of 50 mg/mg2, taken by mouth once daily.
Also known as: Temodar
Toxicities Associated with PCI-24781/Abexinostat and Metronomic Temozolomide Therapy - Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events
The incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) will be recorded for each dose level cohort. Toxicities will be assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Toxicities will be graded on from 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating a higher severity grade.
Time frame: Up to 25 months
Toxicities Associated With PCI-24781/Abexinostat and Metronomic Temozolomide Therapy - Overall
The frequency of overall toxicity occurrence will be categorized by toxicity grades using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Toxicities will be graded ranging from 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating a higher severity grade.
Time frame: Up to 25 months
Recommended Dose Determination of PCI-24781/Abexinostat
Participants who either complete the first cycle of treatment or experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) within the first cycle of treatment will be considered evaluable. The target DLT rate for the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is 0.25. The MTD determination will be based on isotonic regression. The MTD will be defined as the dose for which the isotonic estimate of the DLT rate is closest to the target DLT rate of 0.25. If a tie exists between potential doses the higher dose level will be selected when the isotonic estimate is lower than the target DLT rate and the lower dose level will be selected when the isotonic estimate is greater than or equal to the target DLT rate. If the observed DLT rate at the current dose is ≤ 0.197, escalate the dose to the next higher dose level. If the observed DLT rate at the current dose is \> 0.298, de-escalate the dose to the next lower dose level. Otherwise, stay at the current dose level.
Time frame: Up to 20 months
Changes in Acetylation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Histones, H3 and H4, During Treatment
Peripheral blood samples collected at baseline and during treatment will be analyzed for changes in acetylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) histones H3 and H4.
Time frame: Up to 20 months
Changes in Acetylation of Histones, H3 and H4, Using Peripheral Blood Exosomes
Peripheral blood samples collected at baseline and during treatment will be analyzed for changes in acetylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) histones, H3 and H4, using peripheral blood exosomes.
Time frame: Up to 20 months
Progression-free Survival
Progression-free survival (PFS), the time from treatment initiation to disease progression, will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Time frame: 36 months
Overall Survival (OS)
Overall survival (OS), the time from treatment initiation to death from any cause, will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Time frame: 36 months
Descriptive examination of patient quality of life during treatment (EORTC QLQ-C30)
Participant Quality of Life (QOL) will be measured throughout treatment using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-BN30) questionnaire. Question responses range from 1 (Not at All) to 4 (Quite a Bit). Higher scores indicate greater functioning. Two additional questions ask participants to rate overall health and quality of life using a scale ranging from 1 to 7, where higher numbers indicate more favorable outcomes.
Time frame: 24 months
Descriptive Examination of Participant Quality of Life During Treatment (EORTC QLQ-BN20)
Participant Quality of Life (QOL) will be measured throughout treatment using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-BN20) questionnaire. Question responses range from 1 (Not at All) to 4 (Quite a Bit). Higher scores indicate greater functioning.
Time frame: 24 months
Measurement of Tumor Response
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical features will be used to classify tumor response as one of four categories that range from complete response to disease progression. The overall response will be assessed using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) Criteria.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
Correlation of Molecular Profiles With Tumor Response
The correlation of tumor response and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and exosomes extracted from peripheral blood samples will be determined.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
Plan to share: No
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Studies of the drug tested here: Abexinostat