NCT06971744 · Medical University of South Carolina
Autophagy Maintenance (AUTOMAIN)
What this study is about
This is a single-institution, single-treatment group$1 study with a safety lead-in to determine if previously established safe doses of autophagy drugs, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and nelfinavir mesylate (NFV) will benefit ovarian cancer patients in a maintenance setting. Patients will receive the two study drugs HCQ and NFV in combination with maintenance bevacizumab.
View original scientific description
This is a single-institution, single-arm study with a safety lead-in to determine if previously established safe doses of autophagy drugs, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and nelfinavir mesylate (NFV) will benefit ovarian cancer patients in a maintenance setting. Patients will receive the two study drugs HCQ and NFV in combination with maintenance bevacizumab.
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
- Participants must have platinum-sensitive first recurrent high-grade serous or high-grade predominantly serous ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer. Patients must have had a 6-month disease-free progression since last platinum chemotherapy to be considered platinum sensitive.
- All participants must agree to have previously undergone genetic testing with germline panel testing with at least BRCA 1/2 mutation status known and/or somatic tumor next generation sequencing with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing and/or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) known.
- Participants must be enrolled within 3-8 weeks of the first day of the last cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy for their first cancer recurrence. - Participants must have received at least 3-courses of bevacizumab during chemotherapy and have a plan to continue maintenance bevacizumab therapy.
- Evidence of platinum-sensitive response to current platinum-based chemotherapy with a partial or complete response based on imaging or CA-125 trend
- Participants of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (beta human chorionic gonadotropin \[hCG\]) within 7 days before receiving the first dose of study treatment.
- Voluntary, signed, and dated, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved consent form per regulatory and institutional guidelines.
- 18 years of age or older.
- ECOG performance status of 0-2
- Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and AST / ALT ≤ 3 times ULN. Subjects with Gilbert's syndrome may be included if the total bilirubin is \< 3 times ULN and the direct bilirubin is within normal limits.
- CrCl ≥35 mL/min, according to the Cockgroft-Gault formula.
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,000 cells/mm3.
- Platelet count ≥ 75,000 cells / mm3
- Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/ dL, recent transfusion is allowed, though must be ≥ 7 days C1D1 of investigational agents
- Adequately controlled blood pressure (\<160 mm Hg/100 mm Hg) as determined by the treating investigator.
- Subjects with the potential to produce children must agree to effective contraceptive method use during study participation and at least 6 months after discontinuation of the study.
- Patients requiring narcotic analgesics must be on stable doses for at least 2 weeks before study entry.
- Patients must discontinue any statin use within 48 hours of beginning study treatment.
- Patients must have a QT interval of \<450 ms on screening upon ECG.
- Patients who have diabetes mellitus must have it well-controlled (A1c of \<8%).
Exclusion criteria
- New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV cardiac disease, myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, unstable arrhythmia, or history of ischemia on baseline ECG.
- Underlying psychiatric disorder requiring hospitalization within the last two years.
- Clinically significant neurological disorder (Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis), as determined by the enrolling investigator.
- Platinum resistant or refractory disease
- Active, uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, requiring systemic therapy.
- Treatment with local or systemic radiation therapy, surgery, or investigational therapy within 28 days before registration with the exception of the platinum doublet and bevacizumab.
- Unwillingness or inability to comply with procedures required in this protocol.
- Serious nonmalignant disease that could compromise protocol objectives in the opinion of the Investigator.
- Patients who are receiving coumadin
- Patients who are currently participating in any other clinical trial of an investigational product.
- Any other mental incapacitation or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation, as determined by the enrolling investigator.
- Prisoners or patients who are compulsorily detained (involuntarily incarcerated) for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g., infectious disease) illness must not be enrolled in this study.
- Female patients who are of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study or within 6 months of the last dose of study drugs. A urine pregnancy test for WOCBP will be collected during the screening period. Females will be determined not to be of child-bearing potential with a history of hysterectomy, tubal ligation, dual salpingo-oophorectomy, or age 45 or older with postmenopausal status \> 12 months.
- Patients unable to stop taking strong inhibitors and inducers of CYP2C8, CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, FMO-1, and MAO-A.
- Patients unable to stop taking substrates of CYP2D6, CYP3A4, P-gp, MATE1K, and MATE2K.
- Patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis
- Patients with G6PD Deficiency
- Patients with porphyria
- Platinum-sensitive patients that are candidates for PARP inhibitor maintenance, patients will be allowed if previously did not tolerate PARP and opt against PARP maintenance
- Patients that have contraindications to bevacizumab, as per approved product labeling
- Patients that have a high ASCVD score based on the American College of Cardiology ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus calculator and who should not stop their statin due to cardiovascular risk
Where
- Charleston, South Carolina
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 Dec 22, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations