Study of Tivantinib in Subjects With Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Who Have Been Treated With One Prior Therapy

Expression of c-Met in tumors correlates with aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) features. Overexpression of the receptor in tumor samples or high level of blood HGF in subjects is related to higher recurrence rate after surgery for HCC, while high c-Met expression correlates with shorter survival in HCC subjects. In summary, c-Met holds an important prognostic role in the natural history of HCC. This Phase 3 study in MET Diagnostic-High inoperable HCC subjects has been designed based on the results from the randomized, controlled Phase 2 study conducted by ArQule, Inc. with tivantinib versus placebo in subjects with MET Diagnostic-High inoperable HCC who have failed one prior systemic therapy, mentioned above. The purpose of this study is to confirm the efficacy of tivantinib in MET Diagnostic-High HCC subjects who were previously treated with one systemic therapy, and to further evaluate the safety profile of the experimental drug in this subject population.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologically confirmed HCC that is inoperable (where surgery is not indicated due to disease extension, co-morbidities, or other technical reasons), and not eligible for local therapy
• MET Diagnostic-High tissue reported by the central authorized laboratory using archival or recent biopsy tumor samples
• Received at least 4 weeks of one prior sorafenib containing systemic therapy and then experienced documented radiographic disease progression; or inability to tolerate prior therapy received for at least a minimum period of time.
• Discontinued prior systemic treatment or any investigational drug for at least 2 weeks (14 days) or for at least 3 weeks for IV anti-cancer drugs, prior to the study randomization
• Local or loco-regional therapy (i.e., surgery, radiation therapy, hepatic arterial embolization, chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, or cryoablation) must have been completed >= 4 weeks prior to randomization
• Measurable disease as defined by the RECIST v1.1.

Exclusion criteria

• More than 1 prior systemic regimen (prior MET inhibitors/antibodies are not allowed; experimental systemic therapy for inoperable HCC given before or after sorafenib counts as separate regimen and is not allowed)
• Child-Pugh B-C cirrhotic status based on clinical findings and laboratory results
• Previous or concurrent cancer that is distinct from HCC in primary site or histology, EXCEPT cervical carcinoma in situ, treated basal cell carcinoma, and superficial bladder tumors. Any cancer curatively treated more than 3 years prior to enrollment is permitted.
• History of congestive heart failure defined as Class II to IV per New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification within 6 months prior to study entry; active coronary artery disease (CAD); clinically significant bradycardia or other uncontrolled, cardiac arrhythmia defined as greater than or equal to Grade 3 according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), or uncontrolled hypertension; myocardial infarction occurring within 6 months prior to study entry (myocardial infarction occurring more than 6 months prior to study entry is permitted)
• Active clinically serious infections defined as >= Grade 3 according to NCI CTCAE
• Any medical, psychological, or social conditions, particularly if unstable, including substance abuse, that may, in the opinion of the Investigator, interfere with the subject's safety or participation in the study, protocol compliance, or evaluation of the study results
• Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Blood or albumin transfusion within 5 days prior to the blood draw being used to confirm eligibility
• Concomitant interferon therapy or therapies for active Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• History of liver transplant
• Inability to swallow oral medications
• Clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding occurring <= 4 weeks prior to randomization
• Pleural effusion or clinically evident (visible or palpable) ascites