Recruiting
Phase 1

MK2 Inhibitor & mFOLFIRINOX

Sponsor:

Washington University School of Medicine

Code:

NCT06648434

Conditions

Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the Pancreas

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Zunsemetinib

mFOLFIRINOX

Study Details

Brief summary:

The investigators hypothesize that MK2 inhibition may improve efficacy of mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Conditions

Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the Pancreas

Study ID

NCT06648434

Start date

Jun 13, 2025

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

May 31, 2030

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun 30, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with no prior systemic treatment for advanced or metastatic disease. Patients with mixed cytology in their tumors such as adeno-squamous, mixed neuroendocrine-carcinoma are permitted if the portion of adenocarcinoma is predominant. Prior adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy (including FOLFIRINOX or mFOLFIRINOX regimens) is allowed if progression occurred ≥ 12 months from the last dose of that therapy. A biopsy is not required to confirm advanced or metastatic disease.
  • Dose escalation: Diagnosis of advanced inoperable or metastatic disease, where mFOLFIRINOX (or classical FOLFIRINOX) is deemed a suitable option per the treating physician.
  • Dose expansion: Diagnosis of metastatic disease, where mFOLFIRINOX (or classical FOLFIRINOX) is deemed a suitable option per the treating physician.
  • Measurable disease by RECIST 1.1.
  • At least 18 years of age
  • ECOG performance status ≤ 1.
  • Adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined below:

  • Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 K/cumm
  • Platelets ≥ 100 K/cumm without transfusion within 2 weeks prior to C1D1
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL without transfusion within 2 weeks prior to C1D1
  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x IULN
  • AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3.0 x IULN, unless there are liver metastases in which case AST and ALT ≤ 5.0 x IULN
  • Creatinine clearance > 50 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault
  • Baseline EKG with QTcF ≤ 460 ms.
  • Women of childbearing potential and men who are heterosexually active must agree to use adequate contraception as specified in the protocol. Contraception should continue for 1 month following last dose of zunsemetinib, 6 months following last dose of irinotecan, 9 months following last dose of oxaliplatin, and/or 3 months following last dose of fluorouracil. Should a woman (or the female partner of a male participant) become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must inform her treating physician immediately.
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • A history of other malignancy with the exception of 1) malignancies for which all treatment was completed at least 2 years before registration and the patient has no evidence of disease; 2) or known indolent malignancies that do not require treatment and will likely not alter the course of treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
  • History of allogeneic organ or stem cell transplant.
  • Currently receiving any other investigational agents, or receipt of an investigational agent within 2 weeks or 5 half-lives of the agent, whichever is shorter.
  • Receipt of strong and moderate CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 inhibitors (including grapefruit), strong and moderate CYP3A and CYP2C8 inducers (see Appendices H and I), and drugs with QT prolonging potential within 5 half-lives of cycle 1 day 1.
  • Known brain metastases or CNS involvement, because brain metastases are often associated with poor functional status, shortened life expectancy and risk of toxicity.
  • A history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to zunsemetinib, or other agents used in the study.
  • Clinically significant neuropathy ≥ grade 2.
  • Presence of interstitial lung disease that is symptomatic or may interfere with the detection or management of suspected treatment-related pulmonary toxicity.
  • Gastrointestinal conditions which could prevent absorption of zunsemetinib, in the opinion of the treating physician.
  • Inability to swallow pills.
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmia .
  • Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days of C1D1.
  • Patients with HIV are eligible unless their CD4+ T-cell counts are < 350 cells/mcL or they have a history of AIDS-defining opportunistic infection within the 12 months prior to registration. Concurrent treatment with effective ART according to DHHS treatment guidelines is recommended.
  • Major surgery within 28 days prior to C1D1. Major surgery refers to any surgical procedure that involves general or regional anesthesia, involves extensive resecting or altering of body parts, carries a higher risk of complications, or requires long recovery times. Central line placement is allowed.
  • Use of any live vaccines against infectious diseases (eg, influenza, varicella) within 4 weeks (28 days) of C1D1.

Study Design

Enrollment

51 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Non randomized

Intervention Model

Sequential

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Dose escalation phase (zunsemetinib + mFOLFIRNOX)

The dose of zunsemetinib will be determined by the dose level assigned and will be taken by mouth either once or twice daily depending on assigned dose level. mFOLFIRINOX will be 85 mg/m\^2 of oxaliplatin intravenous (IV) on day 1 of each cycle, 150 mg/m\^2 of irinotecan IV on day 1 of each cycle, 400 mg/m\^2 of leucovorin IV on day 1 of each cycle, and 2400 mg/m\^2 continuous infusion starting on day 1 of each cycle and continuing for 46 hours. Each cycle is 2 weeks in length.

experimental: Dose expansion phase (zunsemetinib + mFOLFIRNOX)

The dose of zunsemetinib will be determined during the dose escalation phase of the trial. mFOLFIRINOX will be 85 mg/m\^2 of oxaliplatin intravenous (IV) on day 1 of each cycle, 150 mg/m\^2 of irinotecan IV on day 1 of each cycle, 400 mg/m\^2 of leucovorin IV on day 1 of each cycle, and 2400 mg/m\^2 continuous infusion starting on day 1 of each cycle and continuing for 46 hours. Each cycle is 2 weeks in length.

Interventions

Zunsemetinib

Patients should take zunsemetinib approximately 12 hours apart (if twice daily dosing) or 24 hours apart (if once daily dosing) at the same time(s) every day, with 8 oz of water.

mFOLFIRINOX

Includes oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-FU.

Primary outcome measure

  • Recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of zunsemetinib in combination with mFOLFIRINOX (Dose Escalation Only) [ Time Frame: Completion of 2 cycles (each cycle is 2 weeks - estimated to be 4 weeks) ]
  • Number of participants with dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) (Dose Escalation only) [ Time Frame: Completion of 2 cycles (each cycle is 2 weeks - estimated to be 4 weeks) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Moh'd Khushman, M.D.

314-273-3564mkhushman@wustl.edu

Locations

Washington University School of Medicine

Recruiting

St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110

Contacts

Moh'd Khushman, M.D.

314-273-3564mkhushman@wustl.edu

Principal Investigator:

Moh'd Khushman, M.D.

More Information

Sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Last update posted

Apr 30, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Keywords

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Zunsemetinib
  • FOLFIRINOX

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Washington University School of Medicine on 2026-04-30.