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NCT Number: NCT03377179

A Study of ABC294640 Alone and in Combination With HCQ Sulfate in the Treatment of Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma

ABC-108 is a single-arm Phase IIA clinical study of ABC294640 (Yeliva ®, opaganib) alone and in combination with hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). In Part 1 of this clinical study, all participants will be receiving ABC294640 and in Part 2 all participants will be receiving ABC294640 and HCQ to explore the drugs activity signal in CCA. The study drug, ABC294640 is an orally available inhibitor of the enzyme sphingosine kinase-2 (SK2). SK2 is an innovative target for anti-cancer therapy because of its critical role in sphingolipid metabolism, which is known to regulate tumor cell death and proliferation. ABC294640 also inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, in a recent Phase I trial, ABC294640 demonstrated clinical activity in CCA patients. HCQ, is an orally available, FDA approved therapy for the treatment of malaria as well as discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also known as an inhibitor of autophagy, a pro-survival mechanism utilized by many cancers. Evidence indicates that inhibition of autophagy can increase the therapeutic activity of ABC294640 in CCA. In Part 1 of this study, ABC294640 will be continuously administrated orally, twice a day, in 28 day cycles. In Part 2, ABC294640 and HCQ will be continuously administrated orally (the safe and tolerable will be determined in the study) in 28 day cycles. Administration of drug/s in both parts of the study will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or voluntary withdrawal initiated by the participants or physician.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States

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About this study

This is an open-label clinical study to explore the activity signal of ABC294640 and of ABC294640 and HCQ in adult subjects who have been diagnosed with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma either intra- perhilar or extra-hepatic. The study will be conducted at 5 sites in the USA.

For Part 1, a maximum of 39 participants evaluable for efficacy will be enrolled in the study. Eligible participants will receive ABC294640, 500 mg twice a day, continuously administered in 28 day cycles.

Part 2 will be a single-arm Phase IIA study identical to Part 1 but treatment will consist of both ABC294640 together with HCQ. Additionally, Part 2, will consist of two phases: Phase I: accelerate HCQ dose-escalation run-in starting with a HCQ dose of 200 mg QD (once a day). Based on safety results, patient cohorts will be expanded, and dosing will continue to 200 mg BID (twice a day), 400 mg BID and 600 BID. At the end of Part2, Phase I, it will be determined what is the safe and tolerable HCQ dose for Phase II.

For Part 2, up to 15 patients evaluable for safety and tolerability will be enrolled in Phase I component of Part 2; and 20 patients evaluable for efficacy in the Phase II component of Part 2. All eligible participants will receive ABC294640, 500 mg BID in addition to the determined HCQ dose, continuously administered in 28 day cycles.

In addition to physical, neurological and eye exams (eye exams only for participants receiving HCQ), blood and urine samples will be routinely collected for safety and to determine response to the study drugs. Participants will be radiographically assessed for disease status every 2 cycles of treatment.

Tumor biopsies, when accessible, will be obtained within 21 days prior to the beginning of treatment and again on the beginning of the second treatment cycle.

All participants will be followed every 2 months for progression and survival for a maximum of 24 months after the last patient has been entered to the study. Follow up procedures may include physical examination, laboratory work and radiographic tumor assessment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with histologically confirmed intrahepatic, perihilar or extra-hepatic CCA.
  • Patients with no more than 2 prior treatments with systemic anti-neoplastic therapy for CCA.
  • The tumor is unresectable and not amenable to curative therapy.
  • One or more tumors measurable on CT scan per RECIST 1.1.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0- 1.
  • Life expectancy of at least 3 months.
  • Age ≥18 years.
  • Signed, written IRB-approved informed consent.
  • A negative pregnancy test (if female).
  • Acceptable liver and renal function:
  • Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (CTCAE Grade 2 baseline)
  • AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN),
  • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 X ULN (CTCAE Grade 1 baseline)
  • Albumin > 3.0 g/dL
  • Acceptable hematologic status:
  • Absolute neutrophil count ≥1000 cells/mm3
  • Platelet count ≥75,000 (plt/mm3) (CTCAE Grade 1 baseline)
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL
  • Acceptable blood sugar control:
  • Fasting glucose value ≤ 160 mg/dL (CTCAE Grade 1 baseline)
  • Urinalysis: No clinically significant abnormalities.
  • Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) ≤ 1.5 X ULN after correction of nutritional deficiencies that may have contributed to prolonged PT/PTT.
  • For men and women of child-producing potential, willingness to use effective contraceptive methods during the study. If female (or female partner of male patient), was either not of childbearing potential (defined as postmenopausal for ≥ 1 year or surgically sterile [bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy]) or practicing one of the following medically acceptable methods of birth control and agreed to continue with the regimen throughout the duration of the study:
  • Oral, implantable or injectable contraceptives for 3 consecutive months before the baseline/randomization visit.
  • Total abstinence from sexual intercourse (≥ 1 complete menstrual cycle before the baseline/randomization visit).
  • Intrauterine device.
  • Double barrier method (condoms, sponge, diaphragm or vaginal ring with spermicidal jellies or cream

Exclusion criteria

  • >2 previous systemic anti-neoplastic regimens for CCA.
  • Previously having received ABC294640 or HCQ (or chloroquine) for the treatment of a malignancy.
  • New York Heart Association Class III or IV, cardiac disease, myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, unstable arrhythmia, or evidence of ischemia on ECG.
  • Active, uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, requiring systemic therapy.
  • Pregnant or nursing women. NOTE: If a woman became pregnant or suspects she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must inform her treating physician immediately.
  • Treatment with radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or investigational therapy within 28 days prior to study entry.

Patients who had received any antineoplastic therapy > 28 days prior to starting treatment with ABC294640 and HCQ must have recovered from the reversible effects of prior antineoplastic therapy (with the exception of alopecia and Grade 1 neuropathy).

  • Unwillingness or inability to comply with procedures required in this protocol.
  • Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus.
  • Serious nonmalignant disease (e.g., hydronephrosis, liver failure, or other conditions) that could compromise protocol objectives in the opinion of the investigator and/or the sponsor.
  • Patients who were currently receiving any other investigational agent.
  • Patients who were receiving drugs that were sensitive substrates of CYP450 1A2, 3A4, 2C9, 2C19 or 2D6, or strong inhibitors or inducers of all major CYP450 isozymes that could not have been stopped at least 7 days or 5 half-lives (whichever was longer) before starting treatment with ABC294640, could not have been replaced with another appropriate medication or not given for the duration of the clinical study must be discussed with the Medical Monitor in order to determine eligibility for the study.
  • Patients who are taking warfarin, apixaban, argatroban or rivaroxaban.
  • If the patient is to receive HCQ, pre-existing retinopathy.
  • Known history of G-6-PD Deficiency, porphyria or psoriasis.
  • History of macular degeneration, visual field changes, retinal disease, or cataracts that would interfere with funduscopic eye examinations.
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to HCQ.

Treatment and study plan

ABC294640

Drug

Two 250 mg capsules of ABC294640 will be taken twice daily

Other names: yeliva, opaganib

Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate 200 MG

Drug

HCQ tablets will be taken at a dose that will be determined

Other names: HCQ

Primary outcomes

  1. Part1 - Determine Response Rate

    Time frame: At least 4 months

    To determine the response rate (RR) of CCA defined as objective responses (OR), i.e. complete and partial responses (CR, PR) plus stable disease (SD) of at least 4 months to treatment with ABC294640.

  2. Part 2 - Determine the Durable Disease Control Rate

    Time frame: At least 4 months

    To determine the Durable Disease Control Rate (DDCR) of CCA defined as Disease Control Rate (DCR) of at least 4 months duration to treatment with ABC294640 and HCQ

Secondary outcomes

  1. Physical exam to include eye exams (the latter only for patients enrolled in Part 2) to measure safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening phase, during beginning of each cycle of treatment, till 30 days after the end of treatment (an estimated median of 5 months)

    A physical exam which will include weight measurment in kilograms will be performed in screening and on the beginning of each cycle of treatment till 30 day post treatment.

  2. A general neurological exam to measure safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening phase, during beginning of each cycle of treatment, till 30 days after the end of treatment (an estimated median of 5 months)

    A general neurological exam will be performed in screening and on the beginning of each cycle of treatment till 30 day post treatment.

  3. HADS score for depression and anxiety to measure safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening, during each cycle of treatment, till the end of treatment (an estimated median of 4 months). Patient diaries will be filled on a daily basis during treatment.

    HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) questionnaire will be utilized to monitor any alterations in the participant's anxiety and depression levels.

  4. ECOG performance score to measure safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening, during each cycle of treatment, till the end of treatment (an estimated median of 4 months). Patient diaries will be filled on a daily basis during treatment.

    ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance score to the participant's performance status and how it is impacting the daily living abilities.

  5. MMSE score to measure safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening, during each cycle of treatment, till the end of treatment (an estimated median of 4 months). Patient diaries will be filled on a daily basis during treatment.

    MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) questionnaire will be utilized for evaluating the mental state of the participants.

  6. Daily diary entries to aid in asessing safety and tolerability of ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening, during each cycle of treatment, till the end of treatment (an estimated median of 4 months). Patient diaries will be filled on a daily basis during treatment.

    Participants will be asked to fill a daily diary to record the drug administration and any side effects that they may experience.

  7. Number of treatment-related Adverse Events alone and in combination with HCQ

    Time frame: From screening till the 30 days after the end of treatment (an estimated median of 5 months)

    Adverse events will be graded according to the revised NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE version 4.03) to measure the safety and tolerability of treatment with ABC294640 alone and in combination with HCQ in patients with unresectable CCA.

  8. The Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of ABC294640 and of HCQ

    Time frame: From the first day of treatment until the beginning of second cycle of treatment (on day 1, 15, 28 approximately)

    To determine the pharmacokinetics of ABC294640 (Part 1) and of ABC294640 and HCQ (Part 2) in the first 12 patients by measuring Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of ABC294640 and HCQ

  9. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of ABC294640 (Part 1) and of ABC294640 and HCQ (Part 2)

    Time frame: From the first day of treatment until the beginning of second cycle of treatment (on day 1, 15, 28 approximately)

    To determine the pharmacokinetics of ABC294640 (Part 1) and of ABC294640 and HCQ (Part 2) in the first 12 patients by measuring the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of ABC294640 and of HCQ which reflects the body exposure to drug after administration of a dose of the drug.

  10. Determine the progression free survival (PFS)

    Time frame: Every 2 months for a maximum of 24 months after the last participant has been entered to the study

  11. Determine Disease Control Rate (DCR=CR+PR+SD)

    Time frame: Every 2 months for a maximum of 24 months after the last participant has been entered to the study

    Determine Disease Control Rate (DCR) = complete response (CR)+ partial response (PR) + stable disease (SD)

  12. Determine the overall survival (OS)

    Time frame: Every 2 months for a maximum of 24 months after the last participant has been entered to the study

Other outcomes

  1. Determine the effect of treatment with ABC294640 alone or in combination with HCQ on pharmacodynamic markers that are associated with the mechanism of action of the drug.

    Time frame: Within 21 days prior to treatment and on the beginning of the second cycle of treatment (approximately a month)

    Tumor biopsies, when accessible, will be obtained and will be assessed for tumor signaling proteins (c-Myc, pAKT, SK2). Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) for c-Myc will be collected within 1 hour prior to the pre- and posttreatment biopsies (or at the scheduled time of biopsy if not performed).

  2. Serial measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)

    Time frame: Prior to treatment till the end of study (assessed at screening, beginning of cycle three of treatment and every 8 weeks thereafter, up to 24 months)

    Serum ctDNA be assessed for mutational status and development of new mutations.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

RedHill Biopharma Limited

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 2 Study of ABC294640 Alone and in Combination With Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced, Unresectable Intra-hepatic, Perihilar and Extra-Hepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Dec 19, 2017
Registry last updated
Jul 23, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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