Study of Grifola Frondosa (Maitake), Azacitidine, and Lenalidomide

Advanced Cancers Clinical Trial

Official title: A Phase I Study of Epigenetic Immunomodulation Through the Use of Azacitidine, Lenalidomide, and Grifola Frondosa in Patients With Advanced Malignancy

Status Terminated

Clinical Trial Summary

The goal of this clinical research study is to find the highest tolerable dose of the combination of Grifola frondosa extract, azacitidine, and lenalidomide that can be given to patients with advanced cancer. The safety of this drug combination will also be studied.

Clinical Trial Description

Study Drugs:

Azacitidine is designed to block certain proteins in cancer cells whose job is to stop the function of the tumor-fighting proteins. By blocking the "bad" proteins, the tumor-fighting genes may be able to work better.

Lenalidomide is designed to change the body's immune system. It may also interfere with the development of tiny blood vessels that help support tumor growth. This may decrease the growth of cancer cells.

Grifola frondosa extract is a natural substance taken from maitake mushrooms. Researchers want to learn if it can cause the body's immune system to react against cancer.

Study Groups:

If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study, you will be assigned to receive either azacitidine and lenalidomide, azacitidine and Grifola frondosa, or azacitidine, lenalidomide, and Grifola frondosa at a dose level based on when you joined this study.

Up to 4 dose levels of azacitidine and lenalidomide will be tested. Up to 2 dose levels of azacitidine and Grifola frondosa will be tested. At the beginning of the study, 3-6 participants will be enrolled at each dose level of the study drug combinations. The first group of participants will receive the lowest dose level of azacitidine and lenalidomide. Each new group will receive a higher dose of the study drug combination than the group before it, if no intolerable side effects were seen. This will continue until the highest tolerable dose of the study drug combination is found. After enrollment in the azacitidine and lenalidomide group is completed, the next group of participants will receive the lowest dose level of azacitidine and Grifola frondosa. Each new group will receive a higher dose of the study drug combination than the group before it, if no intolerable side effects were seen. This will continue until the highest tolerable dose of the study drug combination is found.

After the highest dose of the azacitidine and lenalidomide or Grifola frondosa combinations are found, new participants enrolling in this study will begin receiving Grifola frondosa along with azacitidine and lenalidomide. Up to 2 dose levels will be tested. The first group of participants will receive the lowest dose level of lenalidomide. The next group will receive a higher dose of lenalidomide than the group before it, if no intolerable side effects were seen. The doses of azacitidine and Grifola frondosa will stay the same.

The dose of the study drug combination that you receive may be lowered if you have any intolerable side effects.

Study Drug Administration:

A study drug "cycle" is 28 days.

On Days 1-5 of each Cycle, you will receive azacitidine either under the skin or by vein. If you receive azacitidine as an injection under the skin, you will receive it over 10 minutes. If you receive azacitidine by vein, you will receive it over 40 minutes.

On Day 2 of Cycle 1, you will begin taking lenalidomide 1 time each day until Day 21, then you will have a 7 day-rest period. For Cycle 2 and every cycle after that, you will take lenalidomide 1 time each day on Days 1-21 followed by a 7-day rest period. Lenalidomide is a capsule that you will take by mouth with water. The capsules should be swallowed whole. You should not break, chew, or open the capsules.

If you are assigned to receive Grifola frondosa, you will also begin taking Grifola frondosa 2 times each day on Day 2 of Cycle 1 if you are also taking azacitidine. If you are also taking azacitidine and lenalidomide, you will begin taking Grifola frondosa on Day 3 of Cycle 1. Depending on the dose level you are assigned to, you will either take Grifola frondosa 2 times each day until Day 21 followed by a 7-day rest period, or you will take Grifola frondosa 2 times daily during all cycles. Grifola frondosa is a liquid extract that comes in a glass bottle. Your dose of Grifola frondosa will be based on when you joined the study and your body weight.

Expansion Groups:

After the highest tolerable dose of each study drug combination is found, 42 additional participants will be enrolled in 3 expansion groups (14 in each group), one group for each study drug combination at the highest tolerable dose or a dose level that has been shown to be safe.

Study Visits:

The following tests and procedures will be performed within 7 days before your first dose of study drug:

• You will have a physical exam, including measurement of your weight and vital signs.

• Your performance status will be recorded.

• Blood (about 2 teaspoons) and urine will be collected for routine tests.

Women who are able to have children must have a negative blood (about 1 teaspoon) pregnancy test within 10 to 14 days before the first dose of the study drug combination and again within 24 hours before receiving lenalidomide.

Before you begin each cycle, the following tests and procedures will be performed:

• You will have a physical exam, including measurement of your weight and vital signs.

• Your performance status will be recorded.

• Blood (about 2 teaspoons) and urine will be collected for routine tests.

• You will be asked about any side effects you may be having.

• If the study doctor thinks it is needed, blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn to measure tumor markers.

• Women who are able to have children will have a blood pregnancy test.

Every week during Cycles 1 and 2, blood (about 2 teaspoons) will be drawn for routine tests.

Women who are able to have children will have a blood (about 1 teaspoon) pregnancy test every week during Cycle 1.

At the end of every 2 cycles (Cycles 2, 4, 6, and so on), you will have a CT, MRI, PET scan, and/or x-ray to check the status of the disease.

If you are in the one of the Expansion Groups, blood (about 6 teaspoons each time) will be drawn for biomarker testing before you take the first dose of study drug, on Days 21 and 28 of Cycle 1, 1 time during each cycle after that, and at the end-of-study visit.

Length of Study:

You may continue taking the study drugs for as long as the doctor thinks it is in your best interest. You will no longer be able to take the study drugs if the disease gets worse or intolerable side effects occur.

End-of-Study Visit:

Within 30 days after your last dose of the study drug combination, you will have an end-of-study visit. The following tests and procedures performed:

• You will have a physical exam, including measurement of your weight and vital signs.

• Your performance status will be recorded.

• Blood (about 2 teaspoons) and urine will be collected for routine tests.

• You will be asked about any side effects you may be having.

• If the study doctor thinks it is needed, blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn to measure tumor markers.

• If the study doctor thinks it is needed, you will have a chest x-ray, CT, MRI, and/or PET scan to check the status of the disease.

• Women who are able to have children will have a blood pregnancy test.

This is an investigational study. Grifola frondosa extract is not FDA approved for any usage. Its use in this study is investigational. Azacitidine and lenalidomide are FDA approved and commercially available for the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. The use of the study drug combination (Grifola frondosa, azacitidine, and lenalidomide) is currently being used for research purposes only.

Up to 102 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Advanced Cancers

• NCT number: NCT01200004
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: April 2012
• Completion date: July 2013