Clinical trial • Phase II • Oncology

Melphalan for Refractory metastatic colorectal cancer | Liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer

Phase II trial of Melphalan for Refractory metastatic colorectal cancer | Liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer.

Overview

Trial Therapeutic Area
Oncology
Trial Disease
Refractory metastatic colorectal cancer | Liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer
Trial Stage
Phase II
Drug Modality
Small molecule | Monoclonal antibody

Key dates

Initial CTIS Submission Date
24-03-2025
First CTIS Authorization Date
08-07-2025

Trial design

Randomised, open-label, interventional comparison: induction melphalan/hds followed by consolidation with trifluridine–tipiracil plus bevacizumab versus consolidation with trifluridine–tipiracil plus bevacizumab alone. imp details available: melphalan hikma (melphalan) powder for injection/infusion; trifluridine–tipiracil (lonsurf) oral tablets (max daily dose 80 mg reported in product entry); bevacizumab (zirabev) concentrate for infusion (dose unit mg/kg, product entry lists maxdailydoseamount 10 mg/kg). exact trial dosing schedule not specified in provided data.-controlled Phase II trial across 9 sites in Czechia, Spain, Germany and others.

Randomised
Yes
Open Label
Yes
Comparator
Interventional comparison: induction Melphalan/HDS followed by consolidation with trifluridine–tipiracil plus bevacizumab versus consolidation with trifluridine–tipiracil plus bevacizumab alone. IMP details available: Melphalan HIKMA (melphalan) powder for injection/infusion; Trifluridine–tipiracil (Lonsurf) oral tablets (max daily dose 80 mg reported in product entry); Bevacizumab (Zirabev) concentrate for infusion (dose unit mg/kg, product entry lists maxDailyDoseAmount 10 mg/kg). Exact trial dosing schedule not specified in provided data.
Target Sample Size
61

Eligibility

Recruits 61 Vulnerable population flag is selected. Only adults aged ≥ 18 years are eligible. Signed informed consent is required from participants. Separate subject information and informed consent documents exist (including language-specific ICFs and specific documents for pregnant partner and genomic testing). Minors are excluded (no assent procedures described)..

Pregnancy Exclusion
Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Vulnerable Population
Vulnerable population flag is selected. Only adults aged ≥ 18 years are eligible. Signed informed consent is required from participants. Separate subject information and informed consent documents exist (including language-specific ICFs and specific documents for pregnant partner and genomic testing). Minors are excluded (no assent procedures described).

Inclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Patient is ≥ 18 years of age on day of consent.\n- If patient is a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) (i.e., fertile meaning not permanently sterilized and having had a menstrual period within the past 12 months), has a negative serum pregnancy test (β-human chorionic gonadotropin β-HCG) within 7 days prior to randomization.\n- If patient is a WOCBP or fertile male (not permanently sterile by bilateral orchiectomy), they or their partner must be willing to use a highly effective contraception method (e.g., combined hormonal contraception; progestogen-only hormonal contraception; intrauterine device, intrauterine hormone-releasing system; bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner or sexual abstinence) from consent to at least 6 months after the last administration of study treatment.\n- Signed informed consent.\n- Histologically confirmed diagnosis of mCRC and histologically or cytologically proven CRC metastases that occupy 50% or less of the liver parenchyma.\n- Patient has liver-dominant metastatic disease. Liver-dominant is defined as the majority of total tumor burden is located in the liver, and the liver lesions are not resectable or treatable with ablation or are associated with extrahepatic disease that makes surgical intervention non-curative\n- Disease in the liver must be measurable (per RECIST v1.1 guidelines) by computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).\n- Patient weighs ≥ 35 kg (due to possible size limitations with respect to percutaneous catheterization of the femoral artery and vein required with Melphalan/HDS).\n- If there is evidence of extrahepatic metastatic disease, it is limited, and the life-threatening component of disease is in the liver. Limited extrahepatic disease is defined in this protocol as follows: up to 5 tumor lesions in the lung with longest diameter not greater than 2 cm and/or up to 5 lymph nodes that measure 2 cm or less per lesion\n- Scans used to determine eligibility (CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis and MRI of the liver) must be performed within 28 days prior to randomization.\n- Patient was previously treated and progressed on, or following, or developed intolerance to, fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and/or an anti-EGFR therapy if RAS wild-type. Patient with MSI-H/dMMR CRC was previously treated and progressed on or following, or developed intolerance to, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) therapy, if eligible.\n- Patient has an ECOG PS of 0-1 within 14 days prior to randomization"}

Exclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Patient has Child-Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis or evidence of clinically significant portal hypertension by history, endoscopy, or radiologic studies (large abdominal varices, prior history of varices by endoscopy).\n- Patient is taking immunosuppressive drugs. NOTE: Oral corticosteroids ≤ 10 mg/day are allowed.\n- Patient is unable to be temporarily removed from chronic anti-coagulation therapy.\n- Patient has active bacterial infection(s) with systemic manifestations (malaise, fever, leucocytosis).\n- Patient has an active infection, including Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection. NOTE: Patients with anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBc) positive, or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but DNA negative are allowed exception(s).\n- Patient has known severe allergic reaction to iodine contrast that cannot be controlled by premedication with antihistamines and steroids.\n- Patient has a history of or known hypersensitivity to melphalan or the components of the Melphalan/HDS system.\n- Patient has known latex allergy.\n- Patient has a history of known hypersensitivity to heparin or the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.\n- Patient has an uncontrolled endocrine disorder including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism.\n- Patient received anti-cancer therapy including radiotherapy or investigational agent for any indication ≤ 30 days prior to randomization.\n- Patient has New York Heart Association functional classification II, III or IV active cardiac condition(s), including unstable coronary syndromes (unstable or severe angina, recent myocardial infarction), worsening or new-onset congestive heart failure, significant arrhythmias, or severe valvular disease that create(s) undue risks of undergoing general anesthesia.\n- Patients should have recovered to Grade 1 or less for AEs related to prior treatment unless deemed clinically not significant, such as lymphopenia, anemia or Grade 2 neuropathy due to prior oxaliplatin treatment. NOTE: Certain side effects that are unlikely to develop into serious or life–threatening events (e.g., alopecia) are allowed at ≥ Grade 1.\n- Patient is less than 28 days after surgery and surgical wound is not fully healed.\n- Patient is currently under treatment for cancer other than mCRC or is not deemed to be cancer free.\n- Patient was previously treated with trifluridine–tipiracil.\n- Patient has history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar composition to trifluridine/tipiracil or any of its excipients.\n- Patient has hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.\n- Patient has history of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to bevacizumab or any of its excipients.\n- Patient has history of hypersensitivity to Chinese Hamster Ovary cell products or other recombinant human or humanized antibodies.\n- Contraindications to bevacizumab, including uncontrolled hypertension, history of active fistula or bowel perforation (unless in the setting of a resected primary), history of cerebrovascular accident or arterial thrombotic event in the last 1 year, or history of venous thrombotic event in the last 30 days.\n- Evidence of hepatic vein or portal vein thrombosis.\n- Patient has history or evidence of clinically significant pulmonary disease or any other condition that precludes the use of general anesthesia.\n- Prior chemoembolization or radioembolization to the liver or prior hepatic arterial infusion therapy.\n- Albumin level < 3.0 g/dL.\n- Patient has a history of bleeding disorders, presence of brain metastases, or other intracranial abnormalities that would put them at risk for bleeding with anti-coagulation.\n- Patient has known varices at risk of bleeding, including medium or large esophageal or gastric varices, active peptic ulcer, or history of recent hemoptysis.\n- Patient has an active second malignancy or has a history of recent definitively treated invasive cancer within 2 years prior to enrolment, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer.\n- Patient has peritoneal lesions or large abdominal masses.\n- Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.\n- Patient is a WOCBP (i.e., fertile meaning not permanently sterilized and having had a menstrual period within the past 12 months) who is unable to undergo hormonal suppression to avoid menstruation during treatment."}

Endpoints

Primary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- hPFS (time from randomization to the first occurrence of hepatic disease progression or death due to any cause)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"hPFS defined as time from randomization to the first occurrence of hepatic disease progression or death due to any cause (as stated in endpoint text)."}

Secondary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Progression free survival (PFS)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Objective response rate (ORR) (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR])","definition_or_measurement_approach":"ORR defined as complete response (CR) + partial response (PR) (as stated in endpoint text)."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Hepatic ORR (hORR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Duration of response (DOR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Hepatic DOR (hDOR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Disease control rate (DCR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Hepatic DCR (hDCR)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Overall survival (OS)","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}

Recruitment

Planned Sample Size
61
Recruitment Window Months
20
Consent Approach
Signed informed consent is required from each participant (participants are adults ≥18). Subject information and informed consent forms (SIS/ICF) are provided; language-specific ICFs and SIS documents are present (documents indicating Czech, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch language materials). Additional ICF variants exist for pregnant partner/participant and genomic testing; GDPR/privacy information provided. No assent for minors (minors excluded).

Geography

Total Number Of Sites
9
Total Number Of Participants
35

Czechia

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
08-07-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
02-03-2026
Processing Time Days
238
Number Of Sites
1
Number Of Participants
3

Sites

Site Name
Vseobecna Fakultni Nemocnice V Praze
Department Name
Oncology department
Principal Investigator Name
Michal Vocka
Principal Investigator Email
michal.vocka@vfn.cz
Contact Person Name
Michal Vocka
Contact Person Email
michal.vocka@vfn.cz

Spain

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
07-07-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
03-03-2026
Processing Time Days
240
Number Of Sites
3
Number Of Participants
6

Sites

Site Name
Hospital Clinic De Barcelona
Department Name
Medical Oncology
Principal Investigator Name
Joan Maurel Santasusana
Principal Investigator Email
jmaurel@clinic.cat
Contact Person Name
Joan Maurel Santasusana
Contact Person Email
jmaurel@clinic.cat
Site Name
Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre
Department Name
Medical Oncology
Principal Investigator Name
Carmen Riesco Martínez
Principal Investigator Email
carmenriescomartinez@gmail.com
Contact Person Name
Carmen Riesco Martínez
Contact Person Email
carmenriescomartinez@gmail.com
Site Name
Institut Catala D'oncologia
Department Name
Medical Oncology
Principal Investigator Name
Cristina Santos Vivas
Principal Investigator Email
contactfortrialsICOLH@iconcologia.net
Contact Person Name
Cristina Santos Vivas

Germany

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
24-06-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
05-03-2026
Processing Time Days
255
Number Of Sites
3
Number Of Participants
20

Sites

Site Name
Asklepios Kliniken Hamburg GmbH
Department Name
Onkologie, Hämatologie, Palliativmedizin, Rheumatologie und Pneumologie
Principal Investigator Name
Dirk Arnold
Principal Investigator Email
d.arnold@asklepios.com
Contact Person Name
Dirk Arnold
Contact Person Email
d.arnold@asklepios.com
Site Name
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
Department Name
Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie und Endokrinologie
Principal Investigator Name
Thomas Wirth
Principal Investigator Email
Wirth.Thomas@mh-hannover.de
Contact Person Name
Thomas Wirth
Contact Person Email
Wirth.Thomas@mh-hannover.de
Site Name
HELIOS Park-Klinikum Leipzig GmbH
Department Name
Klinik für Interventionelle Radiologie
Principal Investigator Name
Michael Moche
Principal Investigator Email
Michael.Moche@helios-gesundheit.de
Contact Person Name
Michael Moche

Italy

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
18-09-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
03-03-2026
Processing Time Days
167
Number Of Sites
1
Number Of Participants
3

Sites

Site Name
Istituto Europeo Di Oncologia S.r.l.
Department Name
Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine tumors
Principal Investigator Name
Maria Giulia Zampino
Principal Investigator Email
maria.zampino@ieo.it
Contact Person Name
Maria Giulia Zampino
Contact Person Email
maria.zampino@ieo.it

Netherlands

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
17-10-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
02-03-2026
Processing Time Days
137
Number Of Sites
1
Number Of Participants
3

Sites

Site Name
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (LUMC)
Department Name
Medical Oncology
Principal Investigator Name
Franciscus (Frank) Maria Speetjens
Principal Investigator Email
f.m.speetjens@lumc.nl
Contact Person Name
Franciscus (Frank) Maria Speetjens
Contact Person Email
f.m.speetjens@lumc.nl

Sponsor

Primary sponsor

Full Name
Delcath Systems Inc.
Organisation Type
Pharmaceutical company
Country Of Registered Address
United States

Contract research organisations

Name
Medidata Solutions Inc.
Responsibilities
Safety reporting gateway and imaging portal; duties codes: 3, 7
Name
Medpace Reference Laboratories LLC
Responsibilities
Laboratory/central lab responsibilities (duties code: 4)
Name
Precision for Medicine (HU) Kft.
Responsibilities
Regulatory/operational support (duties codes: 1,10,12,2,5,6,8)
Name
Myonex GmbH
Responsibilities
duties code: 14

Third parties

  • {"country":"United States","full_name":"Medidata Solutions Inc.","duties_or_roles":"Safety reporting gateway and imaging portal; duties codes: 3, 7","organisation_type":"Non-Pharmaceutical company"}
  • {"country":"United States","full_name":"Medpace Reference Laboratories LLC","duties_or_roles":"duties codes: 4","organisation_type":"Laboratory/Research/Testing facility"}
  • {"country":"Hungary","full_name":"Precision for Medicine (HU) Kft.","duties_or_roles":"duties codes: 1,10,12,2,5,6,8","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}
  • {"country":"Germany","full_name":"Myonex GmbH","duties_or_roles":"duties codes: 14","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}

Investigational products

Investigational Product Name
MELPHALAN HIKMA 50 mg/10ml, poudre et solvant pour solution injectable / pour perfusion
Active Substance
Melphalan
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
INTRABURSAL USE
Route
INTRABURSAL USE
Authorisation Status
Marketing authorisation details present in product entry (authorisationCountryCode: FR; marketingAuthNumber: 34009 302 790 9 0; MIA/IMP number: IMP13070/00004)
Maximum Dose
max daily dose 1 mg/Kg (max total amount reported 220 mg)
Investigational Product Name
Zirabev 25 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion
Active Substance
Bevacizumab
Modality
Monoclonal antibody
Routes Of Administration
SOLUTION FOR INFUSION (intravenous infusion)
Route
Intravenous infusion (solution for infusion)
Authorisation Status
Marketing authorisation details present in product entry (euMpNumber PRD7082676/PRD7082677; marketingAuthNumber EU/1/18/1344/*; authorisationCountryCode: EU)
Maximum Dose
max daily dose reported 10 mg/kg
Investigational Product Name
Lonsurf (trifluridine, tipiracil) film-coated tablets
Active Substance
Trifluridine and Tipiracil
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
ORAL USE (film-coated tablet)
Route
Oral
Authorisation Status
Marketing authorisation details present in product entry (euMpNumber PRD4021876/PRD4106910; marketingAuthNumber EU/1/16/1096/*)
Maximum Dose
max daily dose reported 80 mg
Combination Treatment
Yes

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