A trial looking at GDC-0980 with everolimus for kidney cancer that has spread (ROVER)

Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.

Cancer type:

Kidney cancer
Renal cell cancer

Status:

Closed

Phase:

Phase 2

This trial is comparing a new drug called GDC-0980 with everolimus (Afinitor) for kidney cancer that has spread to another part of the body.

The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell cancer. Doctors can treat advanced Open a glossary item kidney cancer with surgery or biological therapy.

Everolimus is a type of biological therapy that doctors use for advanced kidney cancer that has come back either during or after treatment. Everolimus stops a protein called mTOR from working properly. The mTOR protein controls other proteins that trigger cancer cells to grow. By blocking mTOR, everolimus helps stop cancer growing.

GDC-0980 is also a biological therapy. We know from laboratory studies that GDC-0980 may work better at blocking mTOR than everolimus. It also blocks other proteins, such as PI3K, which also trigger cancer cells to grow.

Researchers think that GDC-0980 may be better than everolimus to treat kidney cancer that has spread. In this trial they are comparing the 2 drugs.

The aim of the trial is to find out if GDC-0980 is better than everolimus for treating kidney cancer that has spread.

Who can enter

You may be able to enter this trial if

  • Your hospital has stored some tissue from when you had a biopsy Open a glossary item or surgery – if there is not a sample stored, you may be able to join if you are willing to have a biopsy and your doctor thinks it will not cause you any problems
  • You have renal cell cancer and a part of it is clear cell cancer
  • You have cancer that has spread to another part of the body
  • Your last treatment included a biological therapy Open a glossary item such as sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, bevacizumab, axitinib, tivozanib or a similar drug
  • Your cancer continued to grow while having treatment or within 6 months of stopping treatment
  • Your cancer can be measured on a scan
  • You have satisfactory blood tests results
  • You are able to take care of yourself, even though you may not be able to carry out all your normal daily activities (Karnofsky performance score 70 to 100)
  • You are willing to use reliable contraception if there is any chance you or your partner could become pregnant
  • You are at least 18 years old

You cannot enter this trial if you

  • Have kidney cancer that has spread to your brain or spinal cord and this has not been treated
  • Have cancer cells in the fluid around your spinal cord – your doctor can confirm this
  • Have had more than 3 courses of treatment for your kidney cancer that reaches your whole body (systemic treatment Open a glossary item)
  • Have had anti cancer treatment in the last 2 weeks
  • Have already had treatment with a drug that blocks the PI3K or mTOR proteins, such as everolimus, temsirolimus, ridaforolimus or similar drugs – your doctor can confirm this
  • Are still having moderate to severe side effects from any previous treatment
  • Take medication for high blood sugar levels
  • Are short of breath when resting or need oxygen to carry out your daily activities
  • Have low levels of oxygen in your blood when you exercise – your doctor will test for this
  • Have an abnormal growth of fibrous tissue in your lung (pulmonary fibrosis)
  • Have heart pain (angina) or heart failure
  • Have had a heart attack in the last 6 months
  • Have problems with your digestive system Open a glossary item that could affect the way you absorb tablets
  • Have a liver disease such as cirrhosis
  • Are HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C positive
  • Have an infection that requires treatment with an antibiotic Open a glossary item through a drip into a vein (drip Open a glossary item)
  • Have an autoimmune disease Open a glossary item such as rheumatoid arthritis that is not controlled by non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Open a glossary item
  • Are allergic to everolimus or similar drugs (or their ingredients)
  • Cannot swallow tablets for some reason
  • Have any other medical condition that could affect you taking part in this trial

Trial design

This is a phase 2 trial. It will recruit 80 people from different countries around the world. It is a randomised trial. You will be put into 1 of 2 treatment groups by a computer. Neither you nor your doctor can choose which group you are in.

  • People in group1 have GDC-0980
  • People in group 2 have everolimus

GDC-0980 is a tablet. You must take it on an empty stomach. You should not have anything to eat or drink (apart from water) for 2 hours before taking it or for 1 hour afterwards. You take it with at least half a glass of water, about the same time each day.

Everolimus is a tablet. You take it with a glass of water about the same time each day. You can take it with or without food.

You have a diary to record the date and time you take your GDC-0980 or everolimus. You can continue taking your tablets along as the side effects aren’t too bad and they are still helping you.

The trial team will also ask you to give some extra blood samples. For people having GDC-0980, they will take

  • 4 blood samples on the day you start treatment
  • 1 blood sample on the 2nd day of treatment
  • 2 blood samples during week 9 of treatment

For people having everolimus, they will take 2 blood samples on the day you start treatment and 1 other sample later on in your treatment. They will use these samples to find out how GDC-0980 and everolimus work in the body.

Hospital visits

You see the doctor and have some tests before taking part in this trial. These tests include

  • A physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Measuring the level of oxygen in your blood by putting a small device onto your finger - oxygen saturation levels
  • Breathing tests (lung function tests Open a glossary item)
  • Heart trace (ECG Open a glossary item)
  • CT scan
  • Urine test

During the first 2 months of treatment you see the doctor every 2 weeks and have the following tests

  • A physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Measurements of the level of oxygen in your blood

You then see the doctor once a month and have the same tests. You have a CT scan every 2 months. When you finish treatment you see the doctor for the same tests and also have a heart trace. Then you see the doctor every 3 months.

The research team will continue to follow you up for the rest of your life but this can be done over the telephone.

Side effects

The most common side effects of GDC-0980 include

The most common side effects of everolimus include

  • Rash, dry itchy skin
  • Tiredness
  • Fluid retention causing swollen hands, feet and ankles
  • Loss of appetite and changes in taste
  • A drop in blood cells causing an increased risk of infection and bleeding
  • Sore mouth and tongue
  • Diarrhoea
  • Feeling or being sick
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Changes to your lungs or kidneys
  • High levels of sugar in your blood

You can find more about everolimus in our cancer drugs section.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Prof Thomas Powles

Supported by

Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
Roche-Genentech

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

Oracle 8876

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Cara took part in a clinical trial

A picture of Cara

"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”

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