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Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaPhase 1NCT06540443

Pilot Study of MPB-2043 Enhanced MRI for Nodal Staging in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

A Phase 1 study testing MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kg and MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kg in people with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Lymph Node Metastasis, run by MegaPro Biomedical Co. Ltd. at 1 site in Taiwan.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of MPB-2043, a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent, for enhancing MRI in detecting metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck cancer. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 years and older
What is being tested?
MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kg and MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kg
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteTaiwan
Study dates
19 Dec 2024to Sep 2026
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

Who may be able to join

  • Subjects aged 20 years and above
  • Subjects with histologically proven head and neck squamous cell carcinomas or with suspicious metastatic lymph nodes (≥ pathological T-stage 1 and 2) without previous treatment by surgery
  • Based on the site's clinical practice, subjects require lymphadenectomy treatment within 8 weeks.
  • Subjects must be nonlactating.
  • Subjects must be able to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent document.
  • Subjects must be able to comply with the study protocol.

Who cannot join

  • Subjects with contraindications to MRI
  • Subjects with a serious allergic history or known allergy to similar ingredients of the study contrast agent (i.e., Gd-based, SPIO particles, and iodinated contrast agents).
  • Subjects obtained gadolinium-enhanced MRI ≤ 7 days before the enrollment.
  • Subjects who participated in another imaging-related clinical trial 30 days prior to the study enrollment.
  • Subjects with active systemic infections, active and clinically significant cardiac diseases, active gastrointestinal ulcers, or medical conditions that may significantly affect action, adequate absorption, and elimination of investigational contrast agent.
  • Subjects with kidney disease or impairment.
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Subjects with liver or spleen disease or impairment based on other clinical imaging, such as CT or gadolinium contrast MRI, and clinical laboratory results.
  • Subjects with active hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection.
  • Subjects with bone marrow disorders or a history of a bone marrow transplant.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Taiwan1 site, 1 recruiting
  • National Taiwan University Hospital

    Taipei, 100

    Pei-Jen Lou, MD., PhD, +886-2-2312-3456, pjlou@ntu.edu.tw

    Recruiting

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

Official title: A Pilot Feasibility Study of MPB-2043 Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Nodal Staging in Subjects With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of MPB-2043, a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent, for enhancing MRI in detecting metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck cancer. The study compares four doses of MPB-2043 (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg) and assesses the optimal timing for post-dose imaging using T1/T2/T2*-weighted sequences to improve the accuracy of nodal staging.

Read the detailed description

The accurate detection of metastatic lymph nodes in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas is essential for appropriate staging and treatment planning. Traditional imaging techniques often struggle with detecting small nodal metastases due to limitations in resolution and contrast. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles, such as MPB-2043, have shown promise as MRI contrast agents, particularly in the detection of metastatic lesions in the liver. This study extends the application of SPIO-enhanced MRI to the detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes.

In this study, T1/T2/T2*-weighted MRI sequences will be used to assess signal intensity (SI) changes in lymph nodes after the administration of MPB-2043. The susceptibility effects of the iron oxide core cause tissue signal loss, which is more pronounced in normal lymph nodes taken up by the reticuloendothelial system, allowing for differentiation from malignant lymph nodes. The study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of four different doses of MPB-2043 (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg) in enhancing the visualization of cervical lymph nodes and will determine the most appropriate timing for post-dose imaging.

The primary objectives include determining the dose that provides optimal contrast enhancement without compromising safety and identifying the time points post-injection that offer the best differentiation between malignant and non-malignant lymph nodes. The results of this pilot feasibility study will inform the development of more extensive clinical trials aimed at improving the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Being tested
MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 3.0 mg/kg
Medical subject headings
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, Lymphatic Metastasis

What participants receive

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

  • MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kgDrug

    Also called MPB-2043 enhanced MRI

    Participants will undergo MRI scans without the administration of a contrast agent (unenhanced MRI) and IV-infused MPB-2043 for 1 hour.

  • MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kgDrug

    Also called MPB-2043 enhanced MRI

    Participants will undergo MRI scans without the administration of a contrast agent (unenhanced MRI) and IV-infused MPB-2043 for 1 hour.

  • MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kgDrug

    Also called MPB-2043 enhanced MRI

    Participants will undergo MRI scans without the administration of a contrast agent (unenhanced MRI) and IV-infused MPB-2043 for 1 hour.

  • MPB-2043 of 3.0 mg/kgDrug

    Also called MPB-2043 enhanced MRI

    Participants will undergo MRI scans without the administration of a contrast agent (unenhanced MRI) and IV-infused MPB-2043 for 1 hour.

Study groups in NCT06540443
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dose cohort 1Experimentalpre- and post-enhanced MRI
Receives: Drug: MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kg
Dose cohort 2Experimentalpre- and post-enhanced MRI
Receives: Drug: MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kg
Dose cohort 3Experimentalpre- and post-enhanced MRI
Receives: Drug: MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kg
Dose cohort 4Experimentalpre- and post-enhanced MRI
Receives: Drug: MPB-2043 of 3.0 mg/kg

What is being measured

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

  1. Sensitivity and Specificity of MPB-2043 Enhanced MRI in Detecting Lymph Node Metastasis

    1. Sensitivity is the proportion of true positive lymph nodes (those confirmed as metastatic by pathology) correctly identified by MPB-2043 enhanced MRI. A signal intensity change of 20% on T2*-weighted sequences post-injection is considered indicative of metastasis.
    2. Specificity is the proportion of true negative lymph nodes (those confirmed as non-metastatic by pathology) correctly identified by MPB-2043 enhanced MRI. A signal intensity change ≥ 50% on T2*-weighted sequences post-injection is considered indicative of non-metastasis.

    Measured: Measured at pre-injection (Baseline) and 24 hours post-injection.

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Changes in Signal Intensity of Lymph Nodes in Head and Neck MRI

    This outcome measure will assess and compare the changes in signal intensity (SI) in MRI images of lymph nodes in the head and neck region taken before and after the administration of MPB-2043.

    The SI changes will be evaluated across T1, T2, and T2*-weighted sequences.

    Measured: From baseline to 10 minutes post-injection, and 24 hours post-injection.

  2. Number and Size of Lymph Nodes Detected in Head and Neck

    This outcome measure will record and evaluate the number and size of lymph nodes detected in the head and neck region/level via MRI post-administration of MPB-2043. The effectiveness of MPB-2043 in enhancing lymph node visibility and characterization will be determined by comparing these parameters before and after administration.

    Measured: Measured at pre-injection (Baseline) and 24 hours post-injection.

  3. Determination of Optimal MPB-2043 Dosage for Lymph Node Imaging in Head and Neck MRI

    This outcome measure will determine the most suitable dosage of MPB-2043 (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg) for optimal MRI contrast enhancement of lymph nodes in the head and neck region. The assessment will be based on post-dose MRI results, specifically evaluating signal intensity changes at 24 hours post-administration.

    Measured: Measured at pre-injection (Baseline) and 24 hours post-injection.

  4. Safety Variables of Adverse Events

    • The incidence of all adverse events
    • Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs)
    • Serious AEs
    • Any AEs leading to withdrawal of study treatment
    • Any AEs leading to study discontinuation
    • Any AEs leading to death

    The data will be categorized and reported based on severity (mild, moderate, severe) and relatedness to the study drug, using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.

    Measured: From baseline to Day 28 post-MPB-2043 administration.

  5. Safety Variables of Clinical Laboratory Tests

    Clinical laboratory and vital sign data will be assessed for safety.

    This outcome measure evaluates the incidence of abnormal findings in clinical laboratory tests following the administration of MPB-2043. The tests include hematology (e.g., complete blood count), biochemistry (e.g., liver and kidney function tests), coagulation profiles (e.g., PT, INR, aPTT), and urinalysis. Results will be categorized as 'Normal,' 'Abnormal, Not Clinically Significant (NCS),' or 'Abnormal, Clinically Significant (CS).'

    Measured: From baseline to Day 28 post-MPB-2043 administration.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted6 Aug 2024
  2. Study start19 Dec 2024
  3. Primary completionJun 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionSep 2026 (estimated)

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
Diagnosis
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06540443
Sponsor's protocol ID
IOP-CT-006
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
10 Jul 2024
Last updated
8 May 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing MPB-2043 of 0.5 mg/kg, MPB-2043 of 1.0 mg/kg and MPB-2043 of 2.0 mg/kg in people with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Lymph Node Metastasis, run by MegaPro Biomedical Co. Ltd. at 1 site in Taiwan.

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 9 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2025. 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 Taiwan. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Jill Tsai, MD (+886-35910360, jilltsai@megaprobio.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Sensitivity and Specificity of MPB-2043 Enhanced MRI in Detecting Lymph Node Metastasis (time frame: Measured at pre-injection (Baseline) and 24 hours post-injection.). 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 8 May 2025.

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