Neoadjuvant Anlotinib and Epirubicin for T4 Sinonasal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (NCT07616141) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 2
Neoadjuvant Anlotinib and Epirubicin for T4 Sinonasal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
China76 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
T4 stage sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (SNACC) is a rare but aggressive cancer in the nasal cavity and sinuses. These tumors often invade the skull base, eye socket, or brain covering (dura), making complete surgical removal difficult and carrying a high risk of recurrence even after surgery and radiation. The goal of this study is to test whether a new combination of drugs given before surgery - anlotinib (a targeted therapy) plus epirubicin (a chemotherapy drug) - can improve outcomes for patients with T4 SNACC.
This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, phase II clinical trial. Eligible participants will receive 2 cycles of neoadjuvant treatment (anlotinib orally for 2 weeks on/1 week off, plus epirubicin intravenously on day 1 of each 3-week cycle). After completing neoadjuvant therapy, participants will undergo surgery to remove the tumor, followed by postoperative radiotherapy. The main question the study tries to answer is whether this approach increases the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate compared to the historical rate of about 70% with standard treatment (surgery plus radiotherapy alone). Secondary questions include how many tumors shrink after neoadjuvant treatment, how many operations achieve complete removal with negative margins, major pathological response rates, overall survival, safety, quality of life, and the chance of avoiding disfiguring surgeries (such as removal of the eye or part of the skull). The study will enroll about 76 participants from 5 top medical centers in China. If positive, this study may establish a new standard of care for T4 SNACC.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 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 18 to 75 years, any sex.
* Histopathologically confirmed sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (any subtype).
* Stage T4a or T4b according to AJCC 8th edition. If lymph node metastasis is present, it must be surgically resectable. If distant metastasis is present, metastatic lesions must be stable.
* Multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessment confirms that the tumor is technically resectable but with high risk (invasion of skull base, orbit, dura, etc.).
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1.
* Adequate bone marrow, liver, kidney, and cardiac function: absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5×10⁹/L, platelet count ≥100×10⁹/L, hemoglobin ≥90 g/L; ALT/AST ≤2.5×upper limit of normal (ULN), total bilirubin ≤1.5×ULN; creatinine ≤1.5×ULN or creatinine clearance ≥60 mL/min; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%.
* Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent (including for clinical treatment and translational research).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior radiotherapy to the head and neck region.
* Prior anthracycline therapy with cumulative dose ≥300 mg/m².
* Known hypersensitivity to any component of anlotinib or epirubicin.
* Uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease, or active infection.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* Any medical or psychosocial condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may interfere with study compliance or conduct.
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
1
3-Year Progression-Free Survival
Timeframe: From enrollment to 3 years post-enrollment (assessed every 3 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months) or until progression or death