Stereotactic body radiotherapy plus rucosopasem in locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: GRECO-2 phase II study design

Future Oncol. 2024 Mar;20(8):437-446. doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-1219. Epub 2024 Jan 24.

Abstract

Ablative doses of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may improve pancreatic cancer outcomes but may carry greater potential for gastrointestinal toxicity. Rucosopasem, an investigational selective dismutase mimetic that converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, can potentially increase tumor control of SBRT without compromising safety. GRECO-2 is a phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rucosopasem in combination with SBRT in locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Patients will be randomized to rucosopasem 100 mg or placebo via intravenous infusion over 15 min, before each SBRT fraction (5 × 10 Gy). The primary end point is overall survival. Secondary end points include progression-free survival, locoregional control, time to metastasis, surgical resection rate, best overall response, in-field local response and acute and long-term toxicity.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04698915.

Keywords: pancreatic cancer; rucosopasem; stereotactic body radiation therapy; superoxide dismutase mimetic.

Plain language summary

The use of high doses of radiation delivered directly to tumors (stereotactic body radiation therapy [SBRT]) may improve survival compared with lower doses of radiation in patients with pancreatic cancer, but it may increase side effects. Rucosopasem, an investigational new drug being developed, can potentially improve the ability of SBRT to treat tumors without decreasing safety. In a previous study, median overall survival was improved when patients were treated with SBRT plus avasopasem, a drug that works the same way as rucosopasem. GRECO-2 is a clinical trial of rucosopasem used in combination with SBRT for treatment of localized pancreatic cancer. Patients will be randomly selected to receive either rucosopasem 100 mg or placebo via intravenous infusion over 15 min, before each SBRT treatment. The main result being studied is overall survival. Additional results include amount of time before tumors start to grow, how often patients get tumors surgically removed, best overall response and long-term safety. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04698915 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Humans
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Radiosurgery* / adverse effects
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04698915