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Ewing SarcomaPhase 1NCT01858168

Phase I Study of Olaparib and Temozolomide for Ewings Sarcoma or Rhabdoomyosarcoma

A Phase 1 study testing Olaparib, Temozolomide and Irinotecan in people with Ewing Sarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 5 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This research study is a Three arm Phase I clinical trial, which tests the safety of an investigational drug or combination of drugs and also tries to define the appropriate dose of the combination of investigational drugs to use for further studies. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 16 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Ewing Sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma
What is being tested?
Olaparib, Temozolomide and Irinotecan
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
49 participants
Where
5 sitesUnited States
Study dates
1 Jul 2013to 12 Dec 2025
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 16 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Histologically confirmed Ewing's sarcoma
  • Ewing's sarcoma must have progressed following at least one standard prior chemotherapy regimen
  • Life expectancy of at least 16 weeks
  • Willing to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study including pre- and post-treatment biopsies, undergoing treatment, scheduled visits and examinations including follow up
  • Presence of measurable disease
  • Prior approval from insurance company to obtain oral temozolomide for the duration of the study

Who cannot join

  • Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study
  • Previous enrollment in the present study
  • Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product during the 21 days prior to first dose of olaparib and temozolomide
  • Receiving any systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy (except for palliative reasons), within 2 weeks from the last dose prior to study treatment
  • Concurrent use of the following classes of inhibitors of CYP3A4: azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors
  • Persistent clinically significant toxicities caused by previous cancer therapy
Show all 17Show fewer
  • Previously documented diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (or any dysplastic leukocyte morphology suggestive of MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia
  • Symptomatic uncontrolled brain metastases
  • Major surgery within 14 days of starting study treatment
  • Considered a poor medical risk due to a serious, uncontrolled medical disorder, non-malignant systemic disease or active, uncontrolled infection
  • Unable to swallow orally administered medication and subjects with gastrointestinal disorders likely to interfere with absorption of study medication
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Known to be serologically positive for HIV and receiving antiviral therapy
  • Subjects with known active hepatitis B or C
  • Known hypersensitivity to olaparib or any of the excipients of the product
  • Uncontrolled seizures
  • Need to continue treatment with any prohibited medications or have not completed the appropriate washout period for a prohibited medication

Trial locations and contacts

5 sites in 1 country.

5 sites in 1 country

United States5 sites
  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

  • Boston Children's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

  • St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

    Memphis, Tennessee, 38105

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Phase I Study of Olaparib and Temozolomide in Adult Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Ewing's Sarcoma or Rhabdomyosarcoma Following Failure of Prior Chemotherapy

This research study is a Three arm Phase I clinical trial, which tests the safety of an investigational drug or combination of drugs and also tries to define the appropriate dose of the combination of investigational drugs to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the combination of drugs is being studied. It also means that the FDA has not yet approved the combination of drugs for your type of cancer.

Olaparib works by blocking the activity of a protein called poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) which is involved in DNA repair. Cancer cells rely on PARP to repair their DNA and enable them to continue dividing. Olaparib has been used in research studies with other cancers. Information from those other research studies suggests that this drug may help to treat patients with Ewing's sarcoma. The investigational drug olaparib is not approved for any use outside of research studies.

Read more

Temozolomide (Temodar) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of a type of brain tumor, glioblastoma. It has been studied in Ewing sarcoma in previous research studies. While it is not approved by the FDA for Ewing sarcoma, it is considered part of standard treatment for relapsed disease.

Irinotecan is approved by the FDA for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. It has been studied in Ewing sarcoma in previous research studies. While it is not approved by the FDA for Ewing sarcoma, it is considered part of standard treatment for relapsed disease.

Laboratory studies suggest that the combination of olaparib and temozolomide and/or irinotecan may help kill Ewing sarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma cells.

In this research study, the investigators are looking for the highest dose of the combination of olaparib and irinotecan and/or temozolomide that can be given safely. The investigators will also begin to collect information about the effects of the combination on Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Read the detailed description

If the patient agrees to participate in this research study they will be asked to undergo some screening tests and procedures to confirm that they are eligible. Many of these tests and procedures are likely to be part of regular cancer care and may be done even if it turns out that they do not take part in the research study. If they have had some of these tests and procedures recently, they may or may not have to be repeated. These tests and procedures will include: a medical history, complete physical examination, performance status, tumor assessment, EKG, blood tests, pregnancy test, confirmation of pathology report and obtain insurance approval to receive temozolomide. If these tests show that the patient is eligible to participate in the research study, they will begin the study drug administration. If they do not meet the eligibility criteria, they will not be able to participate in this research study.

Biomarkers are substances such as genes and proteins that are important biological "indicators" that can be measured in tumor tissue. The investigators would like to look at biomarkers before and after patients receive study drug administration. Comparing the biomarkers from tissue collected before and after receiving study treatments may help us find biomarkers that are associated with response to study treatment or lack of response to study drug administration.

Before the patient starts study drug administration, if the investigators determine that the patient is healthy enough for a biopsy, the patient will undergo a biopsy to provide tumor tissue for the research tests described above. (If it is determined that the patient should not have a biopsy, they can still take part in this research study).

The investigators are looking for the highest doses of olaparib and irinotecan and/or temozolomide that can be administered safely without severe or unmanageable side effects to participants that have Ewing's sarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma. Therefore, not everyone who participates in this research study will receive the same doses of olaparib, irinotecan, and/or temozolomide. The doses the patients get will depend on the number of participants who have been enrolled in the study before them and how well they have tolerated their doses. The investigators will tell patients how the dose level you receive compares to doses given previously in this study.

Olaparib and irinotecan and/or temozolomide will ge given in cycles of 21 days (3 weeks). Both olaparib and temozolomide are drugs that are taken by mouth. Patients will take olaparib and temozolomide on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle. Irinotecan is given by IV, once per day, on days 1-7 of each cycle. Patients will take olaparib twice per day and temozolomide once per day.

The investigators will give patients a drug diary to record the doses of olaparib and temozolomide that they take each day. The diary will also include special instructions for taking olaparib and temozolomide. A member of the study team will show patients how to enter their doses in the diary.

During cycle 1 patients will come to the clinic on Days 1 and 8 (weeks 1 and 2). During cycles 2-6 they will come to the clinic on Day 1 of each cycle. During cycles 8 and beyond they will come to the clinic every 9 weeks.

At each study visit patients will undergo the following procedures: a physical exam, questions about their health (problems, medications, side effects), performance status and blood tests. Additionally, during the visit on Cycle 1, Day 8 patients will have an EKG. 4-6 weeks after starting study drug administration their blood will be tested for its clotting ability on Day 1 of Cycle 2. They will also undergo a biopsy to provide tumor tissue for biomarker research tests. Every 9 weeks they wil have a CT scan or MRI to measure your tumor.

Patients will be asked to return to the clinic about 30 days after stopping study drug. At this visit the following will be done: physical exam, questions about their health, performance status and blood tests. Patients will be asked to return study drug bottles and any unused study drug at this visit.

The investigators would like to keep track of the patients' medical condition for as long as they allow. The investigators would like to do this by either calling patients on the telephone or following them at clinic visits every 3 months. Keeping in touch with patients and checking their condition helps the investigators look at the long-term effects of the research study.

Medical subject headings
Sarcoma, Ewing, Rhabdomyosarcoma

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • OlaparibDrug

    Also called AZD2281

    Tablets to be taken on an empty stomach twice a day.

  • TemozolomideDrug

    Also called Temodal, SCH52365, Temodar

    Tablets to be taken on an empty stomach before bedtime.

  • IrinotecanDrug

    Also called Camptosar

    Administered via IV

Study groups in NCT01858168
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
OneExperimentalOlaparib, taken orally twice per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle Temozolomide, taken orally once per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle for patients with Ewing sarcoma
Receives: Drug: Olaparib; Drug: Temozolomide
TwoExperimentalOlaparib, taken orally twice per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle Temozolomide, taken orally once per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle Irinotecan, given by IV once per day on days 1-7 of each cycle
Receives: Drug: Olaparib; Drug: Temozolomide; Drug: Irinotecan
ThreeExperimentalOlaparib, taken orally twice per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle Temozolomide, taken orally once per day on days 1-7 (week 1) of each cycle for patients with Rhabdomyosarcoma
Receives: Drug: Olaparib; Drug: Temozolomide

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Determine MTD of olaparib and irinotecan and/or temozolomide

    Determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose of combine oral administration of olaparib and temozolomide.

    Measured: 30 days

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Evaluate safety and tolerability of olaparib/irinotecan and/or temozolomide combination

    Evaluate the safety and tolerability of combination olaparib/temozolomide as defined by CTC version 4.0

    Measured: 2 years

  2. Objective response in tumor dimensions to olaparib/irinotecan and/or temozolomide

    Observe objective response in tumor dimensions to olaparib/temozolomide therapy as determined by RECIST 1.1, time of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)

    Measured: 2 years

  3. Explore variations in PARP activity and tumor characteristics

    Patients will undergo tumor biopsies before and after starting olaparib and temozolomide therapy. Genomic DNA and RNA will be isolated from these samples and slides will be made to identify specific protein levels. The investigators will assess homologous repair status by measuring gammaH2AX and Rad51 focus formation by immunofluorescence. Biomarkers for apoptosis and DNA repair that the investigators plan to analyze include but are not limited to BRCA1, MRE11A, NBS1, TDG, XPA, Rad50, 53BP1, CHEK2, and MK2.

    Measured: 2 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 May 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study start1 Jul 2013
  3. Primary completion1 Nov 2024
  4. Study completion12 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
49 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01858168
Sponsor's protocol ID
13-115
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
8 May 2013
Last updated
19 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Olaparib, Temozolomide and Irinotecan in people with Ewing Sarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 5 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 17 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 5 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Determine MTD of olaparib and irinotecan and/or temozolomide (time frame: 30 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Dec 2025.

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