CompletedPhase 1/2

Vandetanib to Treat Children and Adolescents With Medullary Thyroid Cancer

United States17 participantsStarted 2007-07-20

Plain-language summary

Background: * Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is common in people with a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN). * Vandetanib is an experimental drug that blocks a defective protein receptor (rearranged during transfection (RET) receptor) found on the surface of cancer cells in people with MEN. It is thought that this protein is a primary cause of MTC in people with MEN. Objectives: * To study the activity of Vandetanib in children and adolescents with MEN-related MTC by measuring the change in tumor size, in blood levels of proteins produced the tumor (calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and in tumor-related diarrhea. * To determine the safety and tolerability of Vandetanib in children and adolescents. * To study how the body handles Vandetanib in children and adolescents. * To determine the effect of Vandetanib on the survival of children and adolescents with MTC. Eligibility: -Children and adolescents 5 to 18 years of age with MTC whose tumor cannot be surgically removed or has grown back after treatment or has metastasized (spread beyond the thyroid gland). Design: * Patients take Vandetanib once a day in 28-day cycles. The first patients enrolled in the study are started on a low dose of Vandetanib to determine tolerability. * Patients have periodic blood tests, electrocardiograms, and blood pressure measurements to look for side effects of Vandetanib. * Blood tests and imaging scans (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), bone and octreoscan) are done every 8 weeks for the first 32 weeks of treatment and then every 16 weeks for the duration of the treatment period. * Patients who have tumor-related diarrhea keep a daily record of the number and consistency of bowel movements.

Who can participate

Age range

5 Years – 18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age: Participants must be 5 to 18 years of age, inclusive. The first cohort of 3 to 6 participants enrolled on the trial will be at least 13 years of age. Diagnosis: Hereditary (Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A (MEN 2A) or Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2B (MEN 2B) medullary thyroid carcinoma (histologically confirmed) that is unresectable, recurrent or metastatic. Participants must have previously had a characteristic germline mutation in the rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene documented. Results of the germline mutation testing will be obtained from the referring institution. Participants must have measurable disease as defined in Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) as the presence of at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension with longest diameter of at least 20 mm using conventional techniques or at least 10 mm with spiral computed tomography (CT) scan. Superficial (easily palpable) lymph nodes will be considered measurable. Participants must be able to take one of the oral formulations of vandetanib. Prior therapy: There are no standard chemotherapy regimens known to be effective for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Therefore, previously untreated participants are eligible if their tumor(s) are not surgically resectable. Participants must be at least 4 weeks from prior surgical procedures and surgical incisions must be healed. Participants must have had their las…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)

Timeframe: During Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, approximately 56 days

Overall Percentage of Participants With an Objective Response Defined as a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR)

Timeframe: Patients were evaluated for response after every 2 cycles x 4 (prior to cycles 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) and then after every 4 cycles X 1 (prior to cycle 13) and then every 6 cycles (prior to cycle 19, 25, 31, etc). Response was followed for an median of 59 mon

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00514046

SponsorNational Cancer Institute (NCI)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2019-12-10

Results submitted2020-08-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma trials