TAK-243 for Advanced Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests the safety and optimal dose of a new drug, TAK-243, for individuals with advanced or metastatic cancer, including aggressive lymphomas. TAK-243 inhibits an enzyme that aids cancer cell growth. Participants with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas unresponsive to other treatments might be suitable candidates. As a Phase 1 trial, this research aims to understand how TAK-243 functions in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this new treatment.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, specifically strong inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4/5, as well as strong inhibitors of BCRP or OATP, 14 days before joining and throughout the study. Herbal medications are also not allowed, except for vitamins. It's important to discuss your current medications with the trial team to ensure there are no interactions with TAK-243.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatment is likely to be safe?
Research has shown that TAK-243, a drug aimed at fighting cancer, has produced promising results in early studies. It blocks an enzyme that cancer cells need to grow and survive. This enzyme is more active in cancer cells than in healthy ones, allowing the drug to target tumors more effectively than normal tissues.
In lab studies, TAK-243 slowed tumor growth in various cancer models. However, these findings are primarily from lab settings, so more research is needed to fully understand its effects in humans.
Since this trial is in an early phase, it focuses on finding the best dose and identifying any side effects. While there is some evidence of its potential, TAK-243 is still being tested for safety in people. Participants might experience side effects, but researchers are still studying how common and severe they might be.
Anyone considering joining this trial should talk with healthcare providers to understand the potential risks and benefits based on the available data.12345Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?
Researchers are excited about TAK-243 because it introduces a new approach to treating advanced cancer by targeting the ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UAE), which is crucial for protein degradation in cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy or targeted therapies that focus on specific proteins or DNA damage, TAK-243 disrupts the protein recycling process in cancer cells, potentially leading to their death. This mechanism is unique and may offer a novel way to tackle cancers that have become resistant to other treatments. Additionally, TAK-243's administration both twice weekly and once weekly allows for flexibility in dosing, which could improve patient compliance and reduce side effects compared to more frequent treatment schedules.
What evidence suggests that TAK-243 might be an effective treatment for advanced cancer?
Research has shown that TAK-243 is a promising new treatment for advanced cancers. This trial will evaluate TAK-243 in two dosing schedules: Arm A, where participants receive TAK-243 twice weekly, and Arm B, where participants receive it once weekly. The drug blocks a specific enzyme that cancer cells need to grow and survive. Early findings suggest that TAK-243 can prevent cancer cells from repairing their DNA, making it harder for them to continue growing. Studies also indicate that it may shrink tumors and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Although still in the early stages of testing, these results offer hope for those with hard-to-treat cancers.13467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Sarah Shin, MD
Principal Investigator
National Cancer Institute LAO
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with advanced or metastatic solid tumors that have worsened after treatment, or lymphoma patients without curative options. Participants must be in relatively good health (ECOG <=2), have measurable disease, and meet specific blood and organ function criteria.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Patients receive UAE inhibitor TAK-243 intravenously on a dose-escalation schedule, with Arm A receiving doses on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 21-day cycle, and Arm B receiving doses on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Patients also undergo biopsy, CT, MRI, and blood collection throughout the study.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment completion, including assessment of objective tumor response and pharmacodynamic variables.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- TAK-243
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead Sponsor