
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This trial is looking at matching targeted treatment to people who have a rare cancer. It is also looking at matching targeted treatment to people with a common cancer that has a rare gene change () in the cancer cells.
This trial is for people whose cancer has come back or got worse despite treatment. It is also for people when there is no available for them.
The trial is for adults, teenagers and children. We use the term ‘you’, but of course if you are a parent, we are referring to your child.
Cancer Research UK supports this trial.
Researchers are looking for ways to improve treatment for people with a rare cancer that has grown into surrounding tissues or spread elsewhere in the body. Rare cancers affect a small number of people.
In this trial researchers are looking at existing that are already approved treatments for some types of cancer. Researchers want to see how well certain targeted drugs work for other types of cancer.
Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences that help a cancer cell to grow and divide.
To begin with, researchers analyse the cancer cells to check for gene changes. This helps them to work out if one of the drugs in this trial is likely to work for you. They can then match you to a suitable treatment. At the moment, there are 5 treatment groups in the trial.
You will have one of the following treatments:
The main aims of the trial are to:
The following bullet points are a summary of the main entry conditions for this trial. Talk to your doctor or the trial team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Please note, there are several treatment groups so the entry conditions for this trial are complex. Each group has specific entry conditions and we haven’t listed them all.
The group you join depends on the gene changes in your cancer cells.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this trial if all of the following apply. You:
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. You:
As well as the above there are specific entry conditions and exclusion criteria for each treatment group. Speak to your doctor or research nurse if you want to find out more about the entry conditions for this trial. |
This is a phase 2/3 trial. The trial team hope to find at least 30 people to take part in each group.
Trial treatment
The treatment you have depends on the gene changes in your cancer cells. Your doctor analyses a sample of cancer tissue to find this out. Using this information will help them to decide which treatment is best for you. They can tell you more about this.
At the moment, there are 5 treatment groups in the trial. We have included a brief summary of each group.
The trial team plan to add more treatment groups in the future. We’ll update the summary when this happens.
Everyone has treatment for as long as it is working and the side effects aren’t too bad.
Alectinib group
Alectinib is a targeted drug called a cancer growth blocker. It stops signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow.
Alectinib is a capsule. You take the capsules twice a day, every day. The team tell you how many capsules to take.
Atezolizumab group
Atezolizumab is a type of targeted cancer drug called an immunotherapy. It helps your to find and kill cancer cells.
You have atezolizumab as a drip into a vein. You have it once every 3 weeks.
Entrectinib group
Entrectinib is a targeted drug called a cancer growth blocker. It stops signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow.
Entrectinib is a capsule. You take the capsules once a day, every day.
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are types of targeted cancer drugs called . They stop signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow.
You have trastuzumab and pertuzumab as a drip into a vein. You have it once every 3 weeks.
Vemurafenib and cobimetinib
Vemurafenib and cobimetinib are types of targeted cancer drugs called cancer growth blockers. They stop signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow.
Vemurafenib and cobimetinib are tablets. You take:
For all groups
You have treatment in cycles. You continue to have treatment for as long as it is working and the side effects aren’t too bad.
You see the doctor and have tests before you can take part. These include:
You might also have:
You see the doctor often while having treatment. This is to see how you are and for blood tests. Some of the hospital visits are long. The team can tell you roughly how long you can expect to be at the hospital for.
Those having atezolizumab or trastuzumab and pertuzumab have it on the day care ward. You shouldn’t need to stay overnight.
During treatment you have a CT scan or MRI scan every 6 to 8 weeks. This depends on which treatment group you are in. You might have a PET-CT scan instead. The scan you have depends on the type of cancer you have.
After treatment finishes you see the doctor at 1 month. You then see them every 3 months for 2 years. Or they might call you to see how you are getting on.
Blood and tissue samples for research
The researchers ask you to give an extra tissue sample ( when you join the trial and before you start treatment. They might also ask you to give one when you finish treatment. You can say no to giving this sample.
They also ask to take some extra blood samples. Where possible, you have these at the same time as your routine blood tests.
They plan to use the samples to:
Quality of life
The trial team ask you to fill out a questionnaire:
The questionnaire asks about side effects and how you’ve been feeling. This is called a quality of life study.
The trial team monitor you during treatment and afterwards. Contact your advice line or tell your doctor or nurse if any side effects are bad or not getting better.
Atezolizumab can affect the These side effects could happen during treatment or months after treatment has finished. Rarely, these side effects could be life threatening. Your doctor or nurse can explain what these side effects are, the risk of them happening and what to look out for. |
The most common side effects of atezolizumab are:
The most common side effects of alectinib include:
The most common side effects of entrectinib include:
The most common side effects of vemurafenib and cobimetinib include:
The most common side effects of trastuzumab and pertuzumab include:
Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible side effects of treatment. You’ll have a chance to ask them any questions you may have.
We have more information about:
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Matthew Krebs
Cancer Research UK (Centre for Drug Development)
University of Manchester
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
University of Birmingham
Roche
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUKD/21/004.
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”