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Recurrent Breast CancerPhase 1/2NCT02041429

Ruxolitinib W/ Preop Chemo For Triple Negative Inflammatory Brca

A Phase 1/2 study testing Ruxolitinib and Paclitaxel in people with Recurrent Breast Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer, run by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 1 site 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 phase I/II research study is evaluating a combination of drugs called paclitaxel and ruxolitinib as a possible treatment for inflammatory breast cancer. Ruxolitinib is a newly discovered drug that has been shown to block a pathway (called the IL6/JAK/Stat pathway) that may be important in cancer, including breast… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Ruxolitinib and Paclitaxel
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Feb 2014to Jan 2021
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Phase I
  • Participants must meet the following criteria on screening examination to be eligible to participate in the study:
  • Participants must have histologically confirmed breast cancer that is metastatic or unresectable and for which standard curative or palliative measures do not exist or are no longer effective.
  • Patients may not have received > 2 prior chemotherapies for advanced disease.
  • Either measurable or evaluable disease is allowed.
  • Age ≥18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of ruxolitinib in participants <18 years of age, children are excluded from this study.
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  • Life expectancy of greater than 3 months.
  • ECOG performance status ≤ 2 (see Appendix A).
  • Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:
  • Leukocytes ≥3,000/mcL
  • Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/mcL
  • Platelets ≥100,000/mcL
  • Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
  • AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
  • Creatinine within normal institutional limits or creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for subjects with creatinine levels about institutional normal
  • Both men and women are allowed.
  • The effects of ruxolitinib on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Who cannot join

  • Phase I
  • Participants who exhibit any of the following conditions at screening will not be eligible for admission into the study.
  • Participants may not be receiving any other study agents within 2 weeks of initiating treatment.
  • Participants with untreated or uncontrolled brain metastases are excluded from this clinical trial. Patients with treated and stable (> 4 weeks) brain metastasis are allowed.
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ruxolitinib.
  • Participants receiving any medications or substances that are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 are ineligible. (Please refer to Appendix B for list and washout periods).
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  • Chronic corticosteroid use in excess of the equivalent of prednisone 10 mg once daily.
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
  • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because ruxolitinib is a JAK inhibitor with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk of adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with ruxolitinib, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with ruxolitinib. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study.
  • Individuals with a history of a different malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances. Individuals with a history of other malignancies are eligible if they have been disease-free for at least 3 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the past 3 years: cervical cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
  • Clinically significant malabsorption syndrome.
  • Prior chemotherapy or radiation administered within 2 weeks from initiating study treatment.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Phase II Study of Combination Ruxolitinib (INCB018242) With Preoperative Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer Following Completion of a Phase I Combination Study in Recurrent/Metastatic Breast Cancer

This phase I/II research study is evaluating a combination of drugs called paclitaxel and ruxolitinib as a possible treatment for inflammatory breast cancer. Ruxolitinib is a newly discovered drug that has been shown to block a pathway (called the IL6/JAK/Stat pathway) that may be important in cancer, including breast cancer. Blocking this pathway may stop cancer cells from growing. Ruxolitinib has been approved by the FDA for patients with bone marrow disease, and this is the first study using this drug in combination with paclitaxel for breast cancer. Paclitaxel (also called Taxol) is an FDA drug approved for breast cancer patients. Paclitaxel works by blocking the small microtubules inside cancer cells and preventing cell growth. Information from laboratory experiments suggests that ruxolitinib might also have effects on breast cancer.These studies have shown that ruxolitinib may make paclitaxel more effective.

Read the detailed description

This study has two phases. The objective of Phase I to find the maximum dose (MTD) of Ruxolitinib when combined with standard dose of paclitaxel given weekly for advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Three participants will be entered at a dose ruxolitinib equaling 10 mg orally twice daily with weekly paclitaxel. If no dose-limiting toxicity is seen after 6 weeks of treatment (two cycles), then the dose of ruxolitinib will be escalated using a standard 3+3 design, until 2 participants experience dose limiting toxicity (DLT). The dose below the DLT is designated the MTD and this dose of ruxolitinib will be used in the phase II preoperative study for triple negative IBC.

During Cycle 1 the participant will come into clinic every week. At each visit, the participant will have a physical exam and will be asked questions regarding general health and specific questions about any problems that the participant might be having with any medications. About 2-3 additional tablespoons of blood will be taken before the participant's begins ruxolitinib, on Cycle 2 Day 1, Cycle 3 Day 1, and at the end of the study for research blood tests. Because these tests are being performed for research, and their clinical usefulness is unknown, the participant will not receive the results of these tests. The investigator will assess the participant's tumor by CT scans or MRI every 2 cycles. In addition, if the participant has tumors that are visible or can be palpated (felt), then they will be measured by the participant's study doctor in the clinic. If the participant has had a history of cancer in the bones or suspected cancer in the bones, then a bone scan will be performed before the participant can begin ruxolitinib. The bone scan may be repeated every 2 cycles and at the end of the study if the participant study doctor believes it is clinically needed. Otherwise, it does not need to be repeated. Photographs may be taken of the participant's tumor to assess the tumor response to the treatment.

The phase II period of the study will treat triple negative inflammatory breast cancer participants with ruxolitinib combined with 12 weeks of weekly paclitaxel followed by standard care Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC) chemotherapy, eligible participants will proceed to surgical mastectomy followed by radiation. The phase II study will begin once the phase I study has been completed.

During the phase II study, participants will have a research biopsy of the breast followed by one week of ruxolitinib given twice daily. A second research biopsy of the breast is then performed and the participants will then receive combination ruxolitinib (at the MTD dose defined in the phase I study) and standard dose paclitaxel for 12 weeks. Participants will be seen weekly during treatment. One week after completing the combination therapy, participants will receive standard dose doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) every 2 weeks for 4 cycles.

We will evaluate the effect of JAK inhibition by ruxolitinib on the tumor by comparing pSTAT3+ expression of the pre-treatment research biopsy with the pSTAT3+ expression on the second research biopsy performed after one week of ruxolitinib. Participants who have disease regression following 12 weeks of ruxolitinib and paclitaxel followed by AC chemotherapy will undergo mastectomy, and the amount of residual breast cancer will be assessed. We will correlate the degree of residual cancer in the mastectomy with the amount of pSTAT3+ expression seen in the research biopsies. We will be checking standard blood tests, IL-6 and CRP levels throughout the treatment to see if the levels change in response to ruxolitinib treatment. This may be an easier method of determining treatment efficacy. Standard radiation therapy will be given following mastectomy.

Being tested
Ruxolitinib, Paclitaxel
Keywords
Recurrent Breast Cancer, Advanced Breast Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer
Medical subject headings
Breast Neoplasms

What participants receive

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

Study groups in NCT02041429
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Phase I Dose Level 0: Paclitaxel + Ruxolitiniib 10 mgExperimentalPaclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV weekly + Ruxolitinib 10 mg orally twice daily for 4 cycles 1 cycle = 21 days Participants with stable disease or better will have the opportunity to continue on single agent 10 mg Ruxolitinib until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient withdrawal.
Receives: Drug: Ruxolitinib; Drug: Paclitaxel
Phase I Dose Level 1: Paclitaxel + Ruxolitiniib 15 mgExperimentalPaclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV weekly + Ruxolitinib 15 mg orally twice daily for 4 cycles 1 cycle = 21 days Participants with stable disease or better will have the opportunity to continue on single agent 15 mg Ruxolitinib until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient withdrawal.
Receives: Drug: Ruxolitinib; Drug: Paclitaxel
Phase I Dose Level 2: Paclitaxel + Ruxolitiniib 20 mgExperimentalPaclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV weekly + Ruxolitinib 20 mg orally twice daily for 4 cycles 1 cycle = 21 days Participants with stable disease or better will have the opportunity to continue on single agent 20 mg Ruxolitinib until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient withdrawal.
Receives: Drug: Ruxolitinib; Drug: Paclitaxel
Phase I Dose Level 3: Paclitaxel + Ruxolitiniib 25 mgExperimentalPaclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV weekly + Ruxolitinib 25 mg orally twice daily for 4 cycles 1 cycle = 21 days Participants with stable disease or better will have the opportunity to continue on single agent 20 mg Ruxolitinib until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient withdrawal.
Receives: Drug: Ruxolitinib; Drug: Paclitaxel

What is being measured

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

  1. Ruxolitinib Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) [Phase I]

    Ruxolitinib MTD in combination with paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) weekly is determined by the number of patients who have dose limiting toxicity (DLT). See DLT primary outcome measure for definition

    • If a DLT was observed in 0 of 3 patients in a cohort, then 3 patients were enrolled to the next cohort using a 5mg higher dose of ruxolitinib.
    • If a DLT was observed in 1 of 3 patients in a cohort, then 3 additional patients were added, and then if no further DLTs were observed, 3 patients were enrolled to the next cohort using a 5mg higher dose of ruxolitinib.
    • The MTD is identified as the level BELOW the cohort where DLT occurred in less than one third of patients within the cohort.
    • If no DLT's are observed, the MTD is not reached.

    Measured: Participants were assessed prior to each dose of paclitaxel with ruxolitinib; The observation period for MTD evaluation was the first 2 cycles of treatment. (Up to 8 weeks).

  2. Number of Participants With Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) [Phase I]

    DLT: (a) grade >2 non-hematologic, non-hepatic, organ toxicity not due to disease progression or another clearly identified cause except: alopecia of any grade; Grade 3 nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and grade 3 fasting hyperglycemia that resolves to grade<2 within 3 days and 7 days, respectively, with our without optimal medical management; and grade 3 fasting hyperglycemia within 3 days of glucocorticoid use; (b) grade >3 thrombocytopenia lasting more than 24 hours or associated with clinically significant bleeding; (c) grade >3 neutropenia lasting >4 days or accompanied with fever; (d) grade>3 anemia; grade>2 total bilirubin, aspartate and alanine aminotransaminase (AST and ALT), or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) lasting > 72 hours except: with baseline grade 2 as a result of liver metastases then levels (ALP, AST, ALT) >10x upper limit of normal is DLT; (e) delay in ability to administer paclitaxel more than 2 weeks due to toxicity.

    Measured: Participants were assessed prior to each dose of paclitaxel with ruxolitinib; The observation period for DLT evaluation was the first 2 cycles of treatment. (Up to 8 weeks).

Secondary outcomes (4)

  1. Best Response [Phase I]

    Best Response on treatment was measured according Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria. For target lesions, complete response (CR) is complete disappearance of all target lesions and partial response (PR) is at least a 30% decrease in the sum of longest diameter (LD) of target lesions, taking as reference baseline sum LD. Progressive disease (PD) is at least a 20% increase in sum LD of target lesions (smallest sum LD reference), new lesions, and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. Stable disease (SD) is defined as any condition not meeting the above criteria. CR and PR required confirmation at 4 weeks (not less than 28 days).

    Measured: Disease was evaluated radiologically every 2 cycles/6 weeks on treatment. Treatment duration was up to 9 months.

  2. All-Cause Neutropenia

    Assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. All-grade neutropenia, a neutrophil deficiency, is determined using established methods.

    Measured: Measured while on treatment and up to 30 days after coming off treatment. Up to 10 months

  3. C-Reactive Protein Change From Baseline

    C-Reactive Protein biomarkers evaluated using established methods. Change in level after 2 cycles of therapy from baseline was measure.

    Measured: From day 1 of cycle 1 to day 1 of cycle 3 (up to 8 weeks)

  4. IL-6 Change From Baseline

    IL-6 biomarkers evaluated using established methods. Change in levels after 2 cycles of therapy from baseline was measure.

    Measured: From day 1 of cycle 1 to day 1 of cycle 3 (up to 8 weeks)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted22 Jan 2014 (estimated)
  2. Study startFeb 2014
  3. Primary completionMay 2016
  4. Study completionJan 2021

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 1/2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
The multi-arm nature of this study is due to the dose-escalation design.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02041429
Sponsor's protocol ID
13-494
Status last verified
Mar 2021
First submitted
11 Jan 2014
Last updated
21 Apr 2021
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Lynce F, Williams JT, Regan MM, Bunnell CA, Freedman RA, Tolaney SM, Chen WY, Mayer EL, Partridge AH, Winer EP, Overmoyer B. Phase I study of JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib with weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2021 May;87(5):673-679. doi: 10.1007/s00280-021-04245-x. Epub 2021 Feb 14.

    PubMed 33585999

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing Ruxolitinib and Paclitaxel in people with Recurrent Breast Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer, run by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 1 site 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 18 inclusion and 12 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 21 Apr 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site 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 combined 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.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

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

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 21 Apr 2021). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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?

Ruxolitinib Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) [Phase I] (time frame: Participants were assessed prior to each dose of paclitaxel with ruxolitinib; The observation period for MTD evaluation was the first 2 cycles of treatment. (Up to 8 weeks).). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02041429, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 21 Apr 2021; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.

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