This is a multicenter, open label, randomized, phase 2b study, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma following intratumoral administration of BC-819 and intravenously administered gemcitabine. Intratumoral injections of BC-819 will be performed using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Primary Objective: To assess the effect of intratumoral endoscopic ultrasound injection of BC-819 administered with intravenous gemcitabine on progression-free survival. Secondary Objectives: To compare the effects of intratumoral injection of BC-819 administered in combination with intravenous gemcitabine vs. intravenous gemcitabine alone on: Overall survival, Response rate, Resectability of the target tumor lesion, Quality of life, Safety, Serological Tumor Marker: CA 19-9, Duration of response, Failure-free survival
BC-819 (also known as DTA-H19) is a double-stranded DNA plasmid, 4,560 base pairs (bp) in length, carrying the gene for the Diphtheria toxin A (DT-A) chain under the regulation of the H19 promoter. This is a Targeted Cancer Therapy; DT-A chain expression is triggered by the presence of H19 transcription factors that are only up-regulated in tumor cells. The selective initiation of toxin expression results in selective tumor cell destruction via inhibition of protein synthesis selectively in the tumor cell, enabling highly targeted cancer treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Post screening and prior to randomization, all patients will receive gemcitabine by IV infusion at a dose of 1000mg/m2 once weekly for four weeks. They may also enter the study if they received up to 4 doses of gemcitabine before entering the study. In this case, they will be randomized immediately provided there is no evidence of disease progression. After randomization patients will receive 6 weekly IV infusions of gemcitabine at a dose of 1000mg/m2 + 7 intratumoral injections of BC-819 (8 mg or 12 mg according to allocations by randomization)
Winthrop University Hospital
Mineola, New York, United States
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center
Lubbock, Texas, United States
Carmel Medical Center
Haifa, Israel
Rambam Medical Center
Haifa, Israel
Hadassah Medical Organization
Jerusalem, Israel
Meir Medical Center
Kfar Saba, Israel
Galil Maaravi
Nahariya, Israel
Tel Aviv Medical Center
Tel Aviv, Israel
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
To compare the effect of intratumoral endoscopic ultrasound injection of BC-819 administered with intravenous gemcitabine on progression-free survival. PFS was defined as the time from the date of consent until objective tumor progression or death. Median PFS by Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for evaluation. The target tumor lesion was identified and the longest diameter of the target lesion was measured according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 guidelines. For disease evaluations after treatment, scans conducted at baseline that were used for tumor measurements were repeated.
Time frame: 24 months
Overall Survival (OS)
OS was calculated from the date of consent until death due to any cause.
Time frame: 24 months
Response Rate of Target Lesion
Response rate will be assessed both for the primary target tumor lesion alone and overall, including development of metastases. Target tumor lesions are identified and the longest diameter of the target lesion is measured by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 guidelines. Complete response: Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease: At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also show an increase of at least 5 mm. Stable Disease: Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Resectability of the Target Tumor Lesion
Resectability of the target tumor lesion was determined by CT/MRI as defined in the National Comprehensive Cancer network (NCCN) guidelines. Resectable tumors have no arterial tumor contact (celiac axis \[CA\], superior mesenteric artery \[SMA\], or common hepatic artery \[CHA\]) and no tumor contact with the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) or portal vein (PV) or ≤180° contact without vein contour irregularity. \*Not Applicable refers to another clinically significant abnormality that interfered with resectability determination of the target tumor lesion.
Time frame: an average of 16 weeks
Quality of Life (QoL) Assessed by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)
Quality of life will be assessed by the The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Index. KPS scores over time will be compared to those at baseline and changes from baseline will be presented. KPS scores are on a scale (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) of 0 (dead) to 100 (Normal no complaints; no evidence of disease).
Time frame: Screening, Visit 4 (post gemcitabine induction), Visit 9 (5 weeks), Visit 13 (9 weeks)
Quality of Life Using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Questionnaire
The FACT-G is a 27-item compilation of general questions divided into 4 primary QoL domains: physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being and functional well-being. The total FACT-G scores will be summarized by descriptive statistics (e.g., n, mean, median, standard deviation and range). The individual FACT-G score will be presented by frequency and percentage. Scores range from 0-108. High total scores represent better general QoL.
Time frame: Screening, Visit 4 (post gemcitabine induction), Visit 9 (5 weeks), Visit 13 (9 weeks), every 6 months after Visit 13
Serological Tumor Marker: CA 19-9
Serum was collected for quantitative measurement of CA 19-9.
Time frame: 24 months
Extent of Exposure - Gemcitabine Total Exposure (g)
Measured by the average and median number of exposure of the patients to BC-819 and gemcitabine.
Time frame: 24 months
Extent of Exposure - Gemcitabine Total Number of Treatments
Measured by the average and median number of treatments of the patients to BC-819 and gemcitabine.
Time frame: 24 months
Extent of Exposure - BC-819 Total Exposure (mg)
Measured by the average and median exposure of the patients to BC-819 and gemcitabine.
Time frame: 24 months
Extent of Exposure - BC-819 Total Number of Treatments
Measured by the average and median number of treatments of the patients to BC-819 and gemcitabine.
Time frame: 24 months
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