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NCT06495125 · Emory University

Defactinib, Avutometinib and Nivolumab for the Treatment of Anti-PD1 Refractory LKB1-Mutant Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

What this study is about

This phase II trial tests how well defactinib and avutometinib in combination with nivolumab works in treating patients with LKB1-mutant non-small cell lung cancer that has not responded (refractory) to an anti-PD1 treatment and may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced).

View original scientific description

This phase II trial tests how well defactinib and avutometinib in combination with nivolumab works in treating patients with LKB1-mutant non-small cell lung cancer that has not responded (refractory) to an anti-PD1 treatment and may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Defactinib and avutometinib belong to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. These drugs target kinase proteins found in tumor cells.

Interventions

DRUG

Avutometinib

Given PO

PROCEDURE

Biopsy

Undergo biopsy

PROCEDURE

Biospecimen Collection

Undergo blood sample collection

PROCEDURE

Computed Tomography

Undergo CT

DRUG

Defactinib

Given PO

BIOLOGICAL

Nivolumab

Given IV

PROCEDURE

Positron Emission Tomography

Undergo PET

Primary outcome measures

Progression free survival (PFS)

Time frame: At 6 months

PFS will be defined as the time from the date of first protocol therapy to the date of first documentation of disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. PFS will be evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version (v) 1.1. PFS will be calculated with a 95% confidence interval using Kaplan-Meier method based on the efficacy evaluable population.

Who can participate

This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients must have been histologically or cytologically diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, specifically lung adenocarcinoma
  • Patients must have advanced stage disease that is not amenable to combined modality therapy or surgical resection
  • Patients must have known LKB1 mutation
  • COHORT A ONLY: Patients must have known KRAS mutation
  • Patients must have progressed on prior therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor alone and first line chemotherapy, either combined or sequentially, for advanced stage disease. No other lines of chemotherapy in the advanced stage therapy is allowed. The exception is patients with KRAS G12C are also allowed the use of one line of targeted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapy
  • Patients must have measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded for non-nodal lesions and short axis for nodal lesions) as ≥ 20 mm with conventional techniques or as ≥ 10 mm with spiral CT scan
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1
  • Adequate recovery from toxicities related to prior treatments to at least grade 1 by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 5.0. Exceptions include alopecia and peripheral neuropathy grade ≤ 2
  • Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcL
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0
  • Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcL
  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for the institution; patients with Gilbert syndrome may enroll if total bilirubin \< 3.0 mg/dL (51 umole/L)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 x ULN (or \< 5 x ULN in patients with liver metastases)
  • Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal
  • Patients must have the ability to ingest oral medications
  • The effects of defactinib and avutometinib on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry,for the duration of study participation, for 3 months following the last dose of study therapy for male patients, and 1 month following the last dose of study therapy for female patients. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately
  • Patients must be able to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent document
  • Baseline corrected QT (QTc) interval \< 460 ms for women and ≤ 450 ms for men (average of triplicate readings) (CTCAE grade 1) using Fredericia's QT correction formula. NOTE: This criterion does not apply to patients with a right or left bundle branch block

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients who have had systemic therapy within 3 weeks prior to entering the study or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier
  • Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents
  • Patients with unstable or symptomatic brain metastasis or known leptomeningeal disease. Asymptomatic brain metastases are allowed if they meet the following criteria:
  • Have been treated and have been stable for greater than or equal to 4 weeks as documented by radiologic imaging
  • Have not required increasing doses of corticosteroids within 2 weeks prior to study treatment
  • Patients with history of pre-existing auto-immune conditions that would pose a higher risk for toxicity with nivolumab will be excluded
  • Patients who experienced serious auto-immune toxicity with prior immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to avutometinib or defactinib
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Known hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that is active and/or requires therapy
  • Active skin disorder that has required systemic therapy within the past 1 year. Surgically removed early stage skin cancers are allowed. Topical creams are allowed as well
  • History of rhabdomyolysis
  • Concurrent ocular disorders:
  • Patients with history of glaucoma, history of retinal vein occlusion (RVO), predisposing factors for RVO, including uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes
  • Patients with history of retinal pathology or evidence of visible retinal pathology that is considered a risk factor for RVO, intraocular pressure \> 21 mm Hg as measured by tonometry, or other significant ocular pathology, such as anatomical abnormalities that increase the risk for RVO
  • Patients with active or chronic, visually significant corneal disorders, other active ocular conditions requiring ongoing therapy or clinically significant corneal disease that prevents adequate monitoring of drug-induced keratopathy. Examples of visually significant corneal disorders include corneal degeneration, active or recurrent keratitis, and other forms of serious ocular surface inflammatory conditions. Visually significant corneal disorders do NOT include dry eyes, blepharitis, and uncomplicated corneal erosions
  • Patients with the inability to swallow oral medications or impaired gastrointestinal absorption due to gastrectomy or active inflammatory bowel disease
  • Treatment with warfarin. Patients on warfarin for deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism should be converted to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Exposure to medications (with or without prescriptions), supplements, herbal remedies, or foods with potential for drug-drug interactions with defactinib within 14 days prior to the first dose of avutometinib or defactinib and during the course of therapy, including:
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, strong CYP2C9 inhibitors or inducers, strong P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors or inducers
  • Patients with a known "treatable driver mutation" with FDA approved targeted therapy (such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, NTRK, BRAF, RET, MET exon 14, HER2). The exception is KRAS as listed in the inclusion section
  • History of prior malignancy within past 2 years prior to study entry, with the exception of curatively treated malignancies or malignancies with very low potential for recurrence or progression
  • Female patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Where

  • Atlanta, Georgia

Collaborators

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Related conditions & keywords

Advanced Lung AdenocarcinomaRefractory Lung AdenocarcinomaStage III Lung Cancer AJCC v8Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v8

Frequently asked questions

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Apr 6, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations

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What participation can include

  • Study-related care provided by the research team
  • Close monitoring by medical professionals
  • Possible compensation for time and travel*
  • The option to withdraw at any time
  • Contributing to medical research that may help future patients

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Typical next steps

  1. 1.Submit this form
  2. 2.Phone screening
  3. 3.In-person assessment if eligible
  4. 4.Begin participation

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If you're searching for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer treatment in Atlanta, participating in a clinical research study may provide access to innovative approaches under expert medical supervision. This study is actively recruiting participants in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Clinical trials offer participants the opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments while contributing to medical research that may help future patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. All study-related care is provided at no cost to participants.

Local Sites
1 locations in Georgia
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Why Consider a Clinical Trial for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Potential Benefits

  • ✓Access to new treatment approaches before public availability
  • ✓Close monitoring by experienced medical professionals
  • ✓Study-related care provided at no cost
  • ✓Contribute to medical research for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

What to Expect

  • →Initial screening to determine eligibility
  • →Regular check-ups and monitoring visits
  • →Possible compensation for time and travel
  • →You can withdraw at any time

Frequently Asked Questions About This Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Study

Important Clinical Trial Information

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial participation involves potential risks and benefits. Eligibility requirements apply and will be assessed during the screening process.

Study identifier: NCT06495125. For complete study details, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care or participating in clinical research.