Clinical trial • Phase III • Oncology

CETUXIMAB for Metastatic colorectal cancer

Phase III trial of CETUXIMAB for Metastatic colorectal cancer.

Overview

Trial Therapeutic Area
Oncology
Trial Disease
Metastatic colorectal cancer
Trial Stage
Phase III
Drug Modality
Monoclonal antibody|Small molecule

Key dates

Initial CTIS Submission Date
11-09-2025
First CTIS Authorization Date
20-11-2025

Trial design

Randomised, continuous cetuximab plus folfiri (continuous treatment) versus intermittent cetuximab plus folfiri (8 cycles followed by a planned treatment break and re-induction on progression).-controlled Phase III trial across 17 sites in Germany.

Randomised
Yes
Comparator
Continuous cetuximab plus FOLFIRI (continuous treatment) versus intermittent cetuximab plus FOLFIRI (8 cycles followed by a planned treatment break and re-induction on progression).
Target Sample Size
267

Eligibility

Recruits 267 No vulnerable populations selected. Participants must be adults (Age ≥18) and provide signed informed consent. No assent or paediatric consent procedures are described in the provided records..

Vulnerable Population
No vulnerable populations selected. Participants must be adults (Age ≥18) and provide signed informed consent. No assent or paediatric consent procedures are described in the provided records.

Inclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Patient’s signed informed consent\n- Adequate hepatic function (all of the following): a. Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) b. ALAT and ASAT ≤ 2.5 x ULN (in the presence of hepatic metastases, ALAT and ASAT ≤ 5 x ULN) c. INR < 1.5 and aPTT < 1.5 x ULN (patients without anticoagulation). Therapeutic anticoagulation is allowed if INR and aPTT have remained stable within the therapeutic range (INR: 2.0 – 3.5; aPTT: 1.5 – 2.5 x ULN).\n- Adequate renal function: a. Creatinine clearance (calculated according to Cockcroft and Gault) ≥ 50 mL/min\n- Proficient fluorouracil metabolism as defined: a. Prior treatment with 5-FU or capecitabine without unusual toxicity b. If tested, normal DPD deficiency test according to the standard of the study site c. If tested, in patients with DPD deficiency test with a CPIC activity score of 1.0-1.5 fluoropyrimidine dosage should be reduced by 50%\n- Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and men must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures (Pearl index <1; e.g. combined oral and intravaginal, transdermal, injectable or implantable hormonal contraception; intrauterine device (IUD); intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS); bilateral tubal occlusion; vasectomized partner) or practice true abstinence from any heterosexual intercourse (true abstinence is acceptable when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) for the duration of the study treatment and for at least 6 months after last administration of study medication. A woman is considered of childbearing potential (WOCBP), i.e. fertile, following menarche and until becoming post-menopausal unless permanently sterile. A postmenopausal state is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause.\n- For men: With female partners of childbearing potential, men must remain abstinent or use a condom plus an additional contraceptive method that together result in a failure rate of < 1% per year during the treatment period and for 6 months after the last dose of study treatment. Men must refrain from donating sperm during this same period. With pregnant female partners, men must remain abstinent or use a condom during the treatment period and for 6 months after the last dose of study medication to avoid exposing the embryo.\n- Histologically confirmed, UICC stage IV unresectable adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum\n- Locally confirmed RAS/BRAF wild-type tumor status (KRAS and NRAS exon 2, 3, 4, BRAF exon 11/15)\n- Centrally confirmed RAS/BRAF wild-type status by liquid biopsy during screening phase\n- Age ≥18 at the time of written informed consent\n- ECOG performance status ≤1\n- Presence of at least one measurable reference lesion according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria\n- Archival tumor tissue available\n- Adequate bone marrow function (all of the following): a. Leukocytes ≥ 3.0 x 10E9/L with neutrophils ≥ 1.5 x 10E9/L b. Thrombocytes ≥ 100 x 10E9/L c. Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL"}

Exclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Proof of a RAS or BRAF mutation (KRAS/NRAS exons 2, 3, 4 or BRAF exon 15) in the tumor (proven in the primary tumor or metastasis) or liquid biopsy during screening phase.\n- Hemorrhagic diathesis or known thrombophilia\n- Known glucuronidation deficiency (Gilbert's syndrome) (specific screening not required)\n- Previous chemotherapy for the colorectal cancer with the exception of adjuvant treatment, completed at least 6 months before written informed consent.\n- Treatment with nucleoside analogues including sorivudine or brivudine within 28 days before begin of induction treatment or requirement for concomitant antiviral treatment with sorivudine or brivudine or analogues\n- History of a second primary malignancy during the past 5 years before written informed consent or during participation in the study, with the exception of a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or cervical carcinoma in situ, if these were treated curatively.\n- Active alcohol or drug abuse\n- Any other significant medical, psychiatric or social condition not covered by the above criteria, which, in the investigator’s judgement, may pose a safety risk, impair protocol compliance or interfere with reliable assessment of study outcomes\n- Pernicious anemia or other types of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency\n- Concomitant use with St. John’s wort\n- Absent or restricted legal capacity\n- Participation in a clinical study or experimental drug treatment within 30 days prior to written informed consent or within a period of 5 half-lives of the substances administered in a clinical study or during an experimental drug treatment prior to inclusion in the study, depending on which period is longest or simultaneous participation in another study while taking part in the study\n- Requirement for immunization with live vaccine including attenuated live vaccine from at least 4 weeks before begin of induction treatment until 6 months after the administration of IMPs.\n- Acute or chronic New York Heart Association Class III or greater heart failure by clinical judgement.\n- Myocardial infarction, balloon angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stenting, and cerebral vascular accident (including TIA)/stroke within the past 12 months before randomization\n- Unstable angina pectoris\n- Unstable cardiac arrhythmia > grade 2 NCI CTCAE despite anti-arrhythmic therapy.\n- Active uncontrolled infection by investigator’s perspective.\n- Pre-existing pulmonary fibrosis or immune pneumonitis\n- Additional cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or hormone treatment) during the study treatment. Mistletoe therapy does not represent an exclusion criterion.\n- Patients who are institutionalized by order of court or public authority\n- Patients who might be dependent on the sponsor/investigator or the trial site\n- Known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to any of the following substances: 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, cetuximab, irinotecan and chemically related substances and/or hypersensitivity to any of the components in the formulations of the aforementioned substances, including known hypersensitivity reactions to monoclonal antibodies NCI CTCAE grade ≥ 3.\n- Known hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell (CHO) –cellular products or other recombinant human or humanized monoclonal antibodies\n- Patients with known brain metastases or leptomeningeal disease. In case of clinical suspicion of brain metastasis, a cranial CT or MRI must be performed to rule out brain metastasis before study inclusion.\n- History of acute or subacute intestinal occlusion, inflammatory bowel disease, immune colitis or chronic diarrhea\n- Symptomatic peritoneal carcinosis\n- Severe, non-healing wounds, ulcers or bone fractures"}

Endpoints

Primary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Time to Failure of Strategy, which is defined as the time from randomization to failure of the treatment strategy. Failure of the treatment strategy is defined as o Disease progression on treatment o Death o Unacceptable toxicity o Occurrence of resistance mechanisms by ctDNA analysis","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Time from randomization to failure of the treatment strategy; failure defined as disease progression on treatment, death, unacceptable toxicity, or occurrence of resistance mechanisms by ctDNA analysis."}

Secondary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Efficacy: • Progression-free survival (PFS)1 to PFSN (defined as each PFS from treatment start with FOLFIRI+cetuximab to the first disease progression in the respective treatment period) • TFS stratified by ctDNA-guided progression or radiological progression • Overall survival (OS) • Objective response rate (ORR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"PFS defined as each PFS from treatment start with FOLFIRI+cetuximab to first disease progression in the respective treatment period; TFS stratified by ctDNA-guided progression or radiological progression; OS and ORR measured by standard oncology endpoints."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Tumor response kinetics: • Dynamics of the tumor markers CEA and CA19-9 • Early tumour shrinkage, as determined by radiological imaging • Depth of radiological tumor response, as determined by radiological imaging","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Measured by serial tumor marker (CEA, CA19-9) assessments and radiological imaging for early tumour shrinkage and depth of response."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA): • Prospective validation to use ctDNA based RAS/BRAF mutational analysis in addition to tissue-based RAS testing to exclude RAS/BRAF mutant tumors from treatment using the Guardant360 liquid biopsy assay • Define a threshold in ctDNA change predicting progressive disease during treatment break using the Guardant360 liquid biopsy assay • Validate the formerly defined ctDNA threshold using the Guardant360 liquid biopsy assay to induce re-use of FOLFIRI + Cetuximab","definition_or_measurement_approach":"ctDNA assessed using the Guardant360 liquid biopsy assay for RAS/BRAF mutation analysis and for defining/validating ctDNA change thresholds predictive of progression."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Safety: • Type, incidence, severity, and causal relationship to IMPs of non-serious adverse events and serious adverse events (severity evaluated according to CTCAE version 5.0)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Adverse events collected and graded per CTCAE v5.0; causality assessed relative to IMPs."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Quality of life: • QoL as assessed with the QoL questionnaire EQ-5D-5L","definition_or_measurement_approach":"QoL assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire."}

Recruitment

Planned Sample Size
267
Recruitment Window Months
60
Consent Approach
Signed informed consent required from each participant ("Patient’s signed informed consent"). Adults only (Age ≥18). Patient information and informed consent forms listed in documents (e.g. L1_SIS and ICF_Patients_FIRE-11_redacted, L1_SIS and ICF_Pregnancy_FIRE-11_redacted). No assent procedures or language details provided in the available records.

Geography

Total Number Of Sites
17
Total Number Of Participants
267

Germany

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
13-11-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
20-11-2025
Processing Time Days
7
Number Of Sites
17
Number Of Participants
267

Sites

Site Name
RKH Klinken Ludwigsburg-Bietigheim gGmbH
Department Name
Klinik für Innere Medizin, Gastroenterologie, Hämato-Onkologie, Diabetologie, Infektiologie
Contact Person Name
Stefan Angermeier
Site Name
Krankenhaus Maria Hilf GmbH
Department Name
Klinik Onkologie und Gastroenterologie
Contact Person Name
Stefan Pluntke
Contact Person Email
s.pluntke@alexianer.de
Site Name
Kliniken der Stadt Koeln gGmbH
Department Name
Onkologische Ambulanz
Contact Person Name
Bernhard Sibbing
Contact Person Email
sibbingb@kliniken-koeln.de
Site Name
HELIOS Klinikum Bad Saarow GmbH
Department Name
Klinik für Onkologie und Palliativmedizin
Contact Person Name
Daniel Pink
Site Name
KHOP Studien UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)
Department Name
KHOP – Schwerpunktpraxis für Hämatologie, Onkologie, Palliativmedizin mit „Tagesklinik“
Contact Person Name
Dilek Kalkan
Contact Person Email
info@khop-rbk.de
Site Name
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Department Name
II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik
Contact Person Name
Joseph Tintelnot
Contact Person Email
j.tintelnot@uke.de
Site Name
Katholisches Klinikum Bochum gGmbH
Department Name
St. Joseph Hospital Bochum, Med. Klinik I
Contact Person Name
Anke Reinacher-Schick
Contact Person Email
anke.reinacher@rub.de
Site Name
Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR
Department Name
Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Hämatologie und Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie
Contact Person Name
Sebastian Stintzing
Contact Person Email
sebastian.stintzing@charite.de
Site Name
Frankfurter Institut Fuer Klinische Krebsforschung IKF GmbH
Department Name
Institut für Klinisch-Onkologische Forschung
Contact Person Name
Thorsten Götze
Contact Person Email
goetze.thorsten@khnw.de
Site Name
Studienzentrum Onkologie Ravensburg GmbH
Department Name
Onkologische Praxis
Contact Person Name
Tobias Dechow
Contact Person Email
dechow@onkonet.eu
Site Name
Klinikum St Marien Amberg
Department Name
MVZ Mariahilfbergweg
Contact Person Name
Ludwig Fischer von Weikersthal
Site Name
Muenchen Klinik gGmbH
Department Name
Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie
Contact Person Name
Stefan Böck
Site Name
Onkodok GmbH
Department Name
Onkologische Praxis
Contact Person Name
Philipp Schütt
Site Name
Dr. Vehling-Kaiser MVZ GmbH
Department Name
Onkologische Praxis
Contact Person Name
Florian Kaiser
Contact Person Email
dr.f.kaiser@vehling-kaiser.de
Site Name
Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR
Department Name
Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Hämatologie und Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie
Contact Person Name
Arndt Stahler
Contact Person Email
arndt.stahler@charite.de
Site Name
St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr
Department Name
Marien Hospital Herne, Med. Klinik III
Contact Person Name
Amin Turki
Site Name
Muenchen Klinik gGmbH
Department Name
Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Gastroenterologische Onkologie
Contact Person Name
Martin Fuchs

Sponsor

Primary sponsor

Full Name
Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR
Organisation Type
Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility
Country Of Registered Address
Germany

Third parties

  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR","duties_or_roles":"1,10,12,6,7,8","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"ABF-Pharmazie GmbH & Co. KG","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch GmbH","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Krankenhaus Nordwest GmbH","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Klinikum St Marien Amberg","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"MVZ Labor Ravensburg GbR","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Laboratory/Research/Testing facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Klinikum Guetersloh gGmbH","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Muenchen Klinik gGmbH","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"HELIOS Klinikum Bad Saarow GmbH","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Labor Dr. Wisplinghoff GbR","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Laboratory/Research/Testing facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Kliniken der Stadt Koeln gGmbH","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr (Herne-Sued site)","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Katholisches Klinikum Bochum gGmbH","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR (Augustenburger Platz 1 site)","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Klinikum Guetersloh gGmbH (second entry)","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Kliniken der Stadt Koeln gGmbH (Merheim site)","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Katholisches Klinikum Bochum gGmbH (additional entry)","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Krankenhaus Maria Hilf GmbH","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Krankenhaus Nordwest GmbH (additional entry)","duties_or_roles":"14","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"RKH Klinken Ludwigsburg-Bietigheim gGmbH (site contact)","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Labor Berlin Charite Vivantes GmbH","duties_or_roles":"4","organisation_type":"Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility"}

Investigational products

Investigational Product Name
CETUXIMAB
Active Substance
CETUXIMAB
Modality
Monoclonal antibody
Routes Of Administration
IV INFUSION
Route
IV INFUSION
Authorisation Status
marketingAuthNumber: -; prodAuthStatus: 2
Maximum Dose
500 mg/m2
Investigational Product Name
FLUOROURACIL
Active Substance
FLUOROURACIL
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
IV INFUSION
Route
IV INFUSION
Authorisation Status
marketingAuthNumber: -; prodAuthStatus: 2
Maximum Dose
1400 mg/m2
Investigational Product Name
FOLINIC ACID
Active Substance
FOLINIC ACID
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
INTRAVENOUS INFUSION
Route
INTRAVENOUS INFUSION
Authorisation Status
marketingAuthNumber: -; prodAuthStatus: 2
Maximum Dose
400 mg/m2
Investigational Product Name
IRINOTECAN
Active Substance
IRINOTECAN
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
IV INFUSION
Route
IV INFUSION
Authorisation Status
marketingAuthNumber: -; prodAuthStatus: 2
Maximum Dose
180 mg/m2
Combination Treatment
Yes

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