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SHARON: A Clinical Trial for Metastatic Cancer With a BRCA or PALB2 Mutation Using Chemotherapy and Patients' Own Stem Cells

2021-01-13

2026-08

2027-08

10

Study Overview

SHARON: A Clinical Trial for Metastatic Cancer With a BRCA or PALB2 Mutation Using Chemotherapy and Patients' Own Stem Cells

The clinical trial is a phase 1, single-arm trial that will evaluate the safety of the investigational treatment on metastatic cancer in patients who have a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 genetic alteration. The investigational treatment will involve 2 cycles of a combination of intravenous melphalan, BCNU, low-dose I.V. ethanol, vitamin B12b, and vitamin C in association with autologous hematopoietic stem cell infusion. A dose-escalation schedule will be employed for vitamin C.

In the current clinical trial, subjects with BRCA-related or PALB2-related metastatic pancreatic or breast cancer will receive a combination of melphalan, BCNU, low-dose ethanol, vitamin B12b, and vitamin C in conjunction with autologous stem cell infusion. The drug combination is designed to address multiple mechanisms of melphalan resistance. The purpose of the ethanol is the protection of RBC catalase activity. Investigational Treatment Description: * Hematopoietic Stem Cell Collection 1. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and if needed Plerixafor, will be used to mobilize bone marrow stem cells, which will be collected by apheresis. 2. At least 2 bags of CD34+ cells, each containing at least 2 × 10^6 cells/kg, will be prepared and stored. 3. Mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells will only occur prior to the first cycle of investigational therapy. 4. If there is not a sufficient mobilization of stem cells for at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, then no investigational drugs will be given. * Investigational Drug Therapy and Stem Cell Infusion 1. All subjects will receive two cycles of investigational drug therapy with stem cell infusion unless precluded by adverse reactions. 2. Subjects will receive on day -2: 1. BCNU 2. Melphalan 3. Vitamin B12b 4. Vitamin C 5. Ethanol 3. On day 0, at least 2 × 10^6 CD34+ cells/kg will be infused as per the institution's standard procedures. 4. Subjects will receive supportive care as per the institution's standard procedures before, during, and after the investigational drug therapy and stem cell infusion. * Additional Cycles a. Subjects will receive a second cycle of the investigational treatment described immediately above in "Investigational Drug Therapy and Stem Cell Infusion," with an interval of approximately 6 weeks between cycles.

  • Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Metastatic
  • BRCA1 Mutation
  • BRCA2 Mutation
  • Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma
  • Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
  • Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
  • Breast Cancer Metastatic
  • Breast Cancer Stage IV
  • Pancreatic Cancer Stage IV
  • HER2-negative Breast Cancer
  • HER2 Negative Breast Carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma of the Breast
  • PALB2 Gene Mutation
  • DRUG: Melphalan
  • DRUG: BCNU
  • DRUG: Vitamin B12B
  • DRUG: Vitamin C
  • DRUG: Ethanol
  • DEVICE: Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cells
  • GO-1

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates Results Reporting Dates Study Record Updates

2019-10-30  

N/A  

2025-08-18  

2019-10-31  

N/A  

2025-08-22  

2019-11-04  

N/A  

2025-08  

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

Primary Purpose:
Treatment

Allocation:
Na

Interventional Model:
Single Group

Masking:
None

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group/ArmIntervention/Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Chemotherapy/stem cell treatment

DRUG: Melphalan

  • Intravenous melphalan (to be given in conjunction with the other listed drugs).

DRUG: BCNU

  • Intravenous BCNU (to be given in conjunction with the other listed drugs).

DRUG: Vitamin B12B

  • Intravenous vitamin B12b (to be given in conjunction with the other listed drugs).

DRUG: Vitamin C

  • Intravenous vitamin C (to be given in conjunction with the other listed drugs).

DRUG: Ethanol

  • Intravenous ethanol (to be given in conjunction with the other listed drugs).

DEVICE: Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cells

  • After each cycle of chemotherapy, participants will receive an autologous hematopoietic stem cell infusion.
Primary Outcome MeasuresMeasure DescriptionTime Frame
Rate of Sinusoidal obstruction syndromeSinusoidal obstruction syndrome diagnosis and grading will use the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation's Revised Diagnosis and Severity Criteria for Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome/Veno-Occlusive Disease in Adult Patients as published in 2016. Gradings are from mild to very severe (multi-organ dysfunction/multi-organ failure).30 days after treatment
Rate of Idiopathic or Non-Infective Pulmonary ToxicityThe American Thoracic Society Committee on Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome definition will be employed.3 months after the last treatment
Rate of Idiopathic or Non-Infective Pulmonary ToxicityThe American Thoracic Society Committee on Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome definition will be employed.6 months after the last treatment
Rate of Presumptive Oxalate NephropathyOxalate nephropathy will be presumed if there is acute kidney injury or increased creatinine, grade 3 or higher by the criteria of CTCAE Version 5.0 within 48 h of the administration of vitamin C, in the absence of a clear alternative explanation (an example of an alternative explanation is tumor lysis syndrome).Within 48 hours of vitamin C treatment
Rate of Mucositis ≥ Grade 3Mucositis will be assessed using the WHO Mucositis Scale. Grading is from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (no possible alimentation).Day 7 after each treatment
Rate of Mucositis ≥ Grade 3Mucositis will be assessed using the WHO Mucositis Scale. Grading is from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (no possible alimentation).Day 14 after each treatment
Rate of Mucositis ≥ Grade 3Mucositis will be assessed using the WHO Mucositis Scale. Grading is from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (no possible alimentation).Day 21 after each treatment
Rate of Delayed Engraftment of NeutrophilsNeutrophil engraftment is defined as an absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/microliter for 3 days, with the date of engraftment being the first of those 3 days. Delayed engraftment is engraftment that occurs after 21 days but within 30 days.Day 21 after each treatment
Rate of Failed Engraftment of NeutrophilsNeutrophil engraftment is defined as an absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/microliter for 3 days, with the date of engraftment being the first of those 3 days. Failure to engraft within 30 days will be considered an engraftment failure.Day 30 after each treatment
Rate of Delayed Engraftment of PlateletsPlatelet engraftment is defined as a platelet count ≥ 20,000/microliter for 3 days, with the date of engraftment being the first of those 3 days. Delayed engraftment is engraftment that occurs after 30 days.Day 30 after each treatment
Overall incidence rate of adverse eventsAdverse event is defined any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not considered drug-related.Until 12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Overall incidence rate of serious adverse eventsAn adverse event is considered serious if, in the view of either the investigator or Sponsor, it results in any of the following outcomes: * Death. * A life-threatening adverse event. * Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization. * A persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions. * A congenital anomaly or birth defect. Important medical events that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitalization may be considered serious when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, they may jeopardize the patient or subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed in this definition.Until 12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Overall incidence rate of Grade 3-5 adverse eventsGrading will be measured using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0Until 12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Secondary Outcome MeasuresMeasure DescriptionTime Frame
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.1 month after the first stem cell treatment
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.1 month after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.3 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.6 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.9 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response according to RECIST version 1.1Objective response will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.1 month after the first stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.1 month after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.3 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.6 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.9 months after the second stem cell treatment
Objective response rate in metastatic lesionsObjective response of metastatic lesions will be evaluated according to RECIST version 1.1 as assessed by the independent core imaging facility, but excluding the primary tumor from the analysis. This endpoint will be evaluated with CT scans with contrast of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and other sites as clinically indicated at each time point.12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Overall SurvivalOverall survival will be measured from the time of enrollment until death from any cause and will be measured in the intent-to-treat population. Subjects without a known date of death will be censored on the date the subject was last known to be alive.Until 12 months after the second stem cell treatment
Progression-Free SurvivalProgression-free survival will be measured as time-to-progression with the starting time being the time of enrollment. A subject is also considered to have progressed if one of the following occurs: * Progression as determined by a RECIST evaluation. * Unequivocal evidence of clinical progression. * Marked escalation in cancer-related pain that is assessed by the principal investigator to indicate the need for other systemic chemotherapy. * Immediate need for initiation of new anticancer treatment or surgical or radiological intervention for complications due to tumor progression even in the absence of radiological progression. * Marked deterioration in Karnofsky score felt by the investigator to indicate clinical progression. * A determination that it is in the best interest of the subject to come off the study due to clinical progression. * Death from any cause.Until 12 months after the second stem cell treatment

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Name: General Oncology (study sponsor)

Phone Number: 818-4-SHARON (818-474-2766)

Email: contact@SharonTrial.com

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person’s general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:
ALL

Sexes Eligible for Study:
18 Years

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

    Inclusion Criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years.
  • Pancreatic or breast cancer, as described below.
  • Stage IV (based on AJCC staging guidelines) at the time of enrollment.

    • a. Note that potential subjects with stage IV cancer that have had a complete response from prior chemotherapy are still potentially eligible.
  • Expected survival time ≥ 6 months, as determined by the investigator.
  • Life expectancy not severely limited by diseases other than malignancy, as determined by the investigator.
  • Karnofsky score ≥ 60%.
  • No chemotherapy within 2 weeks of enrollment.
  • Prior surgical resection or ablation of the primary tumor is allowed but not required.
  • If post-surgical, the subject must be at least 28 days post-op with the surgical wounds healed and significant complications resolved.
  • Potential subjects who have received previous chemotherapy and/or PARP inhibitors may be enrolled.
  • Measurable or non-measurable disease by the revised response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) v.1.1.
  • A germline or somatic BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutation.
  • For potential subjects with a germline mutation:

    • a. The mutation must be known to be deleterious or suspected to cause functional impairment as assessed by a CLIA-certified laboratory according to the variant classification criteria described in the study protocol.
  • For potential subjects with somatic mutations:

    • 1. The mutation must be a known or suspected deleterious somatic BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutation as assessed by a CLIA-certified laboratory according to the variant classification criteria described in the study protocol. 2. There must be biallelic loss or inactivation of the mutated BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 gene as assessed by a CLIA-certified laboratory. 3. The Genetics Review Committee for this trial, which is comprised of a core group of investigators and whose actions are performed in accordance with the committee's charter, must agree that the biallelic mutations are deleterious or suspected deleterious.
  • For potential subjects with pancreatic cancer:

    • 1. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. 2. If the potential subject has had surgical resection of the primary tumor, then there must be no evidence of disease progression between the time of surgical resection of the primary tumor and screening for enrollment if the patient is seeking enrollment in the immediate post-surgery period.
  • For potential subjects with breast cancer:

    • 1. Adenocarcinoma of the breast. 2. HER2-negative cancer as per American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing in breast cancer guidelines. 3. Male or female sex.
  • Histological or cytological confirmation of the primary cancer diagnosis is required.
  • Metastatic disease must be histologically or cytologically confirmed unless in the clinical judgment of the investigator a biopsy is not needed for diagnostic purposes.
  • Female participants of childbearing potential must agree to do one of the following from the time of signing of the informed consent through 6 months after the last dose of melphalan:

    • 1. Simultaneously practice two effective barrier methods of contraception. Oral and injectable contraceptives are not allowed. Barrier methods of birth control (e.g., diaphragm and spermicide, or condom and spermicide) are required. 2. Practice true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods, and withdrawal) are not acceptable methods of contraception.
  • Male participants:

    • 1. Unless the male is in a monogamous relationship with a female that does not have child-bearing potential, male subjects (even if surgically sterilized) must agree to do one of the following from the time of signing of the informed consent through 6 months after the last dose of melphalan:
    1. Practice effective barrier contraception, plus a second method of effective contraception. 2. Practice true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods, and withdrawal) are not acceptable methods of contraception.
    Exclusion Criteria

  • Biliary tract obstruction.
  • Current cholangitis. A biliary stent in situ does not otherwise exclude protocol participation.
  • A history of only one episode of cholangitis and fewer than 30 days have passed since discontinuation of antibiotic treatment.
  • A history of multiple episodes of cholangitis and after discussion between the site study team and sponsor medical monitor and careful evaluation for suitability the patient is deemed to be unsuitable for the trial due to risk of recurring cholangitis.
  • Portal hypertension.
  • Sinistral portal hypertension.
  • Clinically significant malignant ascites or malignant pleural effusion, as determined by the investigator.
  • Metastatic lesion to the heart or eye.
  • Chemotherapy for an indication other than treatment of the current cancer within the past 1 year with a more than 30% risk of recurrence as determined by the investigator.
  • Known or suspected metastatic involvement of the central nervous system.
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45% by Multigated Acquisition Scan or echocardiogram (or significantly below the lower limit of normal for the specific test).
  • Clinically significant structural heart disease or vascular disease.
  • Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to enrollment; New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure; angina; uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias; or electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemia or active conduction system abnormalities.
  • Clinically significant prolongation of QTc (Bazett formula) on EKG, defined as > 0.45 s in males and > 0.47 s in females.
  • Severe hypertension, which is defined as the presence of any of the following:

    • 1. History of hypertensive crisis, hypertensive emergency, or malignant hypertension within the last year. 2. Sustained or persistent systolic BP > 165 mm Hg or diastolic > 110 mm Hg.
  • Other clinically significant cardiovascular disease.
  • NOTE:

    • 1. A past history of severe hypertension that is well-controlled with therapy or that was addressed by removal of the cause (e.g., removal of a medicine that caused the severe hypertension) is not an exclusion criterion. 2. The presence of a pacemaker is not a contraindication and is not considered an exclusion criterion
  • History or evidence of interstitial lung disease (e.g., pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • If a smoker, refusal to stop smoking for the duration of the trial.
  • FEV1 or DLCO (adjusted for hemoglobin) < 50% of predicted.
  • Total bilirubin > 2x upper normal limit, except that potential subjects with Gilbert's Disease are permitted to exceed 2x upper normal limit.
  • ALT or AST > 2.5x upper normal limit.
  • Alkaline phosphatase > 2.5x upper normal limit, in conjunction with elevated GGT.
  • Albumin < 3.0 g/dl.
  • Clinical evidence of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome.
  • Corrected creatinine clearance consistently < 50 ml/min/1.73 m^2.
  • Clinically significant renal disease.
  • Hemolytic anemia.
  • Catalase deficiency.
  • Evidence of bone marrow insufficiency or failure, in the judgment of the investigator.
  • A hemoglobin < 9 g/dL.
  • G6PD deficiency as measured by quantitative enzyme levels below the normal reference range in blood.
  • Pre-existing bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy.
  • Potential subject is pregnant.
  • Breast feeding and unwilling to stop.
  • Wilson's disease.
  • Primary or secondary hemochromatosis.
  • Hgb A1c > 9%.
  • Hyperuricemia that is not responsive to therapy.
  • Plasma oxalate greater than 10 µM, which is not responsive to measures to reduce the level below 10 µM.

    • a. Subjects must be off vitamin C for at least 48 hours prior to the oxalic acid measurements and have fasted overnight.
  • Prior or current hepatitis B or C.
  • HIV infection or seropositivity for HIV.
  • Active, clinically significant bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
  • History of colonization with a multidrug-resistant "superbug" that poses a high risk of an untreatable infection in the setting of neutropenia.
  • Uncontrolled seizure disorder.
  • If a potential subject has received radiation, then any of the following:

    • 1. A volume ≥ 700 ml of normal liver received a dose ≥ 10 Gy. 2. The mean dose to normal liver (i.e., liver minus gross tumor volume) was ≥ 10 Gy. 3. The mean dose to normal lung (i.e., lung minus gross tumor volume) was ≥ 4 Gy.
  • History of significant allergy or other contraindication to BCNU, melphalan, vitamin B12b, vitamin C, pegfilgrastim, or Neupogen, or to any excipient in those drugs.
  • Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 2b6 (CYP2b6) inducers within 21 days of the planned date of BCNU treatment: phenobarbital, carbamazepam, rifampicin, phenytoin, sulfinpyrazone, or verapamil.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse) use within 30 days of the planned ethanol administration.
  • Current chronic use of immunosuppressive agents (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine, corticosteroids).
  • Prior bone marrow stem cell transplant.
  • Except for adjuvant therapy for breast cancer or pancreatic cancer, prior radiation therapy to the brain, kidneys, pelvis, or GI tract or treatment with yttrium-90.
  • Prior treatment with bleomycin or BCNU.
  • Prior treatment, within 30 days of enrollment, with a drug that has not been FDA-approved for any indication (cancer or otherwise).
  • Subject has not fully recovered (i.e., there remain toxicities > Grade 1) from the reversible effects of prior chemotherapy, with the exception of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and grade 2 peripheral neuropathy, unless in the opinion of the principal investigator the effects are not of clinical significance.
  • Any concurrent anticancer treatment.
  • Serious underlying medical or psychiatric illness or another condition that in the clinical judgment of the principal investigator is likely to interfere with the potential subject completing participation in the trial, based on safety concerns or otherwise.
  • Inability or unwillingness to adhere to the study protocol.
  • Unwillingness to receive ethanol.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

  • Myriad Genetics, Inc.
  • STUDY_DIRECTOR: Arnold Glazier, M.D., General Oncology, Inc.

Publications

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

No publications available

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