Sponsor: Fore Biotherapeutics (industry)
Phase: 2
Start date: Feb. 21, 2023
Planned enrollment: 250
Plixorafenib (PLX-8394; FORE-8394) is an investigational, orally available, next‑generation BRAF inhibitor designed to suppress MAPK signaling in tumors with BRAF alterations while avoiding the “paradoxical” pathway activation seen with first‑generation BRAF inhibitors. Early-phase clinical data show single‑agent activity across multiple BRAF‑altered solid tumors, with notable responses in primary CNS tumors; a global phase 2 basket trial (FORTE; NCT05503797) is ongoing. (pnas.org, aacrjournals.org)
Human data are available from a completed phase 1/2a trial (NCT02428712) and from ongoing phase 2 (NCT05503797). Key reported outcomes:
Note: A phase 2 master protocol (FORTE; NCT05503797) is enrolling patients ≥10 years with BRAF class 1 or 2 alterations across four subprotocols (including BRAF fusions and V600‑mutated CNS and non‑CNS tumors); plixorafenib is given continuously, with or without cobicistat depending on cohort. (clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu, ichgcp.net, aacrjournals.org)
Clinical trials
Notes
Last updated: Sep 2025
Goal: Evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of plixorafenib, a next‑generation BRAF inhibitor, in patients with cancers harboring BRAF class 1 (V600E) and class 2 alterations, including BRAF fusions, across multiple tumor types; and characterize pharmacokinetics with and without cobicistat boosting in selected cohorts.
Patients: Approximately 250 participants aged ≥10 years and ≥30 kg with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors or recurrent/progressive primary CNS tumors harboring qualifying BRAF alterations. Subprotocol A enrolls solid tumors or primary CNS tumors with BRAF fusions after standard options. Subprotocol B enrolls recurrent primary CNS tumors with BRAF V600E after, intolerant of, or unsuitable for standard therapy. Subprotocol C enrolls rare, non-CNS BRAF V600E solid tumors excluding colorectal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, cutaneous melanoma, thyroid cancer, and NSCLC. Subprotocol D enrolls BRAF V600E cutaneous melanoma previously intolerant to a BRAF inhibitor and MAPK inhibitor–naïve BRAF V600E thyroid cancer. Key exclusions include NF1 or activating RAS alterations, prior MAPK pathway inhibitors in most cohorts, active uncontrolled illness or infections, and specified hepatic/GI conditions; CNS metastases are excluded in Subprotocols C and D.
Design: Phase 2, multicohort master protocol with nonrandomized subprotocols A–C and a randomized subprotocol D. Treatment is open-label and continuous in 3‑week cycles until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Central blinded independent radiologic review is used for key efficacy endpoints in A–C.
Treatments: Plixorafenib is administered orally, alone (Subprotocol A) or with cobicistat pharmacokinetic boosting (Subprotocols B and C); Subprotocol D randomizes to plixorafenib with or without cobicistat. Plixorafenib (PLX‑8394; FORE‑8394) is an investigational, selective BRAF inhibitor that disrupts RAF dimer signaling and is designed to avoid paradoxical ERK activation seen with first‑generation BRAF inhibitors; it targets class 1 V600 and selected class 2 alterations including fusions. Early clinical data have shown single‑agent activity across BRAF‑altered tumors with notable responses and durability in primary CNS tumors and MAPK inhibitor–naïve, non‑colorectal solid tumors, and a generally favorable tolerability profile. Cobicistat is used to increase systemic exposure of plixorafenib without dose escalation.
Outcomes: Primary endpoints: Objective response rate by blinded independent central review in Subprotocols A–C; and pharmacokinetics of plixorafenib (Cmax, AUC) in Subprotocol D. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, time to response, progression‑free survival, overall survival, disease control rate, landmark PFS and DOR rates, ORR and DOR by investigator assessment, plasma concentrations of plixorafenib and metabolites, and CNS‑specific ORR/DOR and subgroup analyses by CNS tumor grade in Subprotocol A.
Burden on patient: Moderate. Participants will undergo eligibility molecular testing confirmation and must provide archival tissue; fresh biopsy is required in Subprotocol B if archival tissue is unavailable, and Subprotocol D mandates a biopsy, increasing procedural burden. Serial imaging with BICR, baseline trajectory scans, and regular safety labs are expected; CNS cohorts will require MRI at typical interval frequencies. Subprotocol D includes intensive pharmacokinetic sampling to characterize exposure (especially around cobicistat boosting), adding multiple blood draws in early cycles. Daily oral therapy, potential corticosteroid taper requirements in CNS cohorts, and clinic visits every 3 weeks for toxicity assessment and drug dispensing contribute to ongoing time and travel demands, though the oral regimen avoids infusion visits. Overall, procedures exceed standard follow‑up due to central review, PK, and mandated biopsies in some cohorts.
Inclusion Criteria
Subprotocol A:
1. Male and female, ≥10 years of age, and weighing ≥30 kg.
2. Histologic diagnosis of a solid tumor or primary CNS tumor.
3. Documentation of BRAF gene fusion in tumor and/or blood detected by an analytically validated test by DNA sequencing or RNA (transcriptome) sequencing.
4. Have an archival tissue sample available meeting protocol requirements.
5. Consent to provide scan(s) prior to baseline to assess change in tumor trajectory.
6. Received all available standard therapy, is intolerant to available therapies, or the investigator has determined that treatment with standard therapy is not appropriate.
7. All adverse events related to prior therapies (chemotherapy; radiotherapy; surgery) must have resolved to Grade 1 or baseline.
Subprotocol B:
1. Male and female, ≥10 years of age, and weighing ≥30 kg.
2. Histological diagnosis of a primary CNS tumor, including but not limited to the following:
1. Adults (≥18 years) with Grade 1-4 glioma or glioneuronal tumor (including glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, high grade astrocytoma with piloid features, pilocytic astrocytoma, gliosarcoma, anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, not otherwise specified \[NOS\], ganglioglioma, or recurrent LGG). OR
2. Pediatric patients (10-17 years of age) with a Grade 3 or 4 glioma or glioneuronal tumor, including those with a prior, histologically confirmed, diagnosis of a low-grade glioma or glioneuronal tumor and now have radiographic or histopathological findings consistent with WHO \[2021\] Grade 3 or 4 primary CNS tumor.
3. Participants must have unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease that:
i. Had prior treatment with radiotherapy and/or first-line chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation therapy OR
* Note: Participants who have a WHO Grade 3 or 4 glioma for whom chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is not considered standard of care may remain eligible for the study.
ii. Is intolerant to available therapies OR iii. The investigator has determined that treatment with standard therapy is not appropriate.
3. Documented BRAF V600E mutation in tumor and/or liquid biopsy detected by an analytically validated test at CLIA or CLIA-equivalent laboratory approved by sponsor or sponsor-designated central test.
4. An archival tissue sample available meeting protocol requirements, or fresh biopsy is required if the archival sample is not available for retrospective confirmation test.
5. Consent to provide scan(s) prior to baseline to assess change in tumor trajectory.
6. Measurable disease based upon specified response criteria, as determined by the radiographic BICR.
7. All adverse events related to prior therapies (eg, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery) must have resolved to Grade 1 or baseline.
8. Participants who are receiving corticosteroid treatment must be on a stable or decreasing dose of ≤8 mg/day of dexamethasone or equivalent corticosteroid treatment for 7 days prior to first dose of study treatments.
Subprotocol C:
1. Male and female, ≥10 years of age, and weighing ≥30 kg.
2. Histologic diagnosis of a rare BRAF V600E-mutated solid tumor that is unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic.
3. Measurable disease on CT, MRI, or physical exam
4. Documented BRAF V600E mutation in tumor and/or liquid biopsy detected by an analytically validated test.
5. Have an archival tissue sample available meeting protocol requirements.
6. Consent to provide scan(s) prior to baseline to assess change in tumor trajectory
7. Received all available standard therapy, is intolerant to available therapies, or the investigator has determined that treatment with standard therapy is not appropriate.
8. All adverse events related to prior therapies (chemotherapy; radiotherapy; surgery) must have resolved to Grade 1 or baseline.
Subprotocol D:
1. Male and female, ≥10 years of age, and weighing ≥30 kg.
2. Histologic diagnosis of a metastatic melanoma or thyroid cancer harboring a BRAF V600E mutation.
3. Participants with cutaneous melanoma have previously received and not tolerated a BRAF inhibitor, while participants with thyroid cancer are MAPK inhibitor naïve.
4. Measurable disease on CT, MRI, or physical exam.
5. Evidence of BRAF V600E mutation in tumor and/or blood detected by genomic tests.
6. Consent to provide a tumor biopsy.
7. All adverse events related to prior therapies (chemotherapy; radiotherapy; surgery) must have resolved to Grade 1 or baseline.
Exclusion Criteria:
Subprotocol A:
1. Participants with known co-occurring NF1 alteration and/or RAS-related mutations.
2. Participants with evidence of subclonal mutations or heterogeneity that are indicative of a prior treatment effect instead of a driver mutation.
3. Prior treatment with RAF/BRAF inhibitors active for Class 2 BRAF alterations for advanced unresectable or metastatic disease.
4. Prior treatment with a MEK inhibitor.
5. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor(s) and/or targeted therapies are allowed (other than BRAF/MAPK pathway inhibitors per Exclusion Criteria 3 and 4) and will be restricted to no more than the number of lines of therapy that are consistent with standard treatment guidelines.
6. Malignancy with co-occurring activating RAS mutation(s) at any time.
7. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements.
8. HIV infection with exceptions; discuss with treating physician.
9. Have impairment of gastrointestinal (GI) function or GI disease that may significantly alter the absorption of oral plixorafenib or cobicistat (such as ulcerative diseases, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, and small bowel resection).
10. Current active liver disease from any cause, including a positive test at screening for HBV (HBsAg), or HCV (HCV antibody, confirmed by HCV RNA PCR).
11. Grade ≥2 changes in AST, ALT, GGT, or bilirubin attributed to prior immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment are exclusionary, even if resolved.
Subprotocol B:
1. Prior treatment with BRAF, ERK, and/or MEK inhibitor(s).
2. Known or suspected neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) and/or RAS related gene alterations.
3. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements.
4. Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
5. HIV infection with exceptions; discuss with treating physician.
6. Have impairment of GI function or GI disease that may significantly alter the absorption of oral plixorafenib or cobicistat (such as ulcerative diseases, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, small bowel resection).
7. Grade ≥ 2 changes in AST, ALT, gamma-glutamyl transaminase (GGT), or bilirubin attributed to prior immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment are exclusionary, even if resolved.
Subprotocol C:
1. Diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (neuroendocrine or acinar tumors are eligible).
2. Diagnosis of BRAF V600E-mutated cutaneous melanoma, thyroid cancer (ATC and PTC), or NSCLC.
3. Participant has CNS metastases.
4. Prior treatment with BRAF, ERK, and/or MEK inhibitor(s).
5. Known or suspected neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) and/or RAS related gene alterations.
6. Participants with prostate, breast, or gynecologic cancers with known activating mutations that lead to constitutive hormone receptor activation (AR-V7, ESR1).
7. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements.
8. Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
9. HIV infection with exceptions; discuss with treating physician.
Subprotocol D:
1. Known or suspected neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) and/or RAS related gene alterations.
2. Participants with known acquired driver mutations, including from prior MAPK pathway targeted therapies.
3. Participant has CNS metastases.
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements.
5. Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
6. HIV infection with exceptions; discuss with treating physician.
New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia
No email / No phone
Status: Active, not recruiting
Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bordeaux, Aquitaine, 33000, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, 13005, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Brest, Finistère, 29200, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75013, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Angers, Pays de la Loire Region, 49055, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Villejuif, Val-de-Marne, 94805, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Toulouse, 31059, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, 69120, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, 60488, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Active, not recruiting
Berlin, 13353, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Meldola, Forli-Cesena, 47014, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Napoli, Naples, 80131, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Milan, 20132, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Milan, 20141, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bergen, Hordaland, 5021, Norway
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Oslo, 0379, Norway
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16247, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Suwon, Gyeonggido, 443-721, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Pusan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 602-812, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, 58128, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, Seoul Teugbyeoisi, 03080, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, Seoul Teugbyeolsi, 03722, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, 15706, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Valencia, Valencia, 46010, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Barcelona, 08035, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Madrid, 28009, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Madrid, 28041, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seville, 41013, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lund, Skåne County, 221 85, Sweden
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Solna, Stockholm County, 171 64, Sweden
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Manchester, England, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
London, W1G 6AD, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Westwood, Los Angeles, California, 90095-6984, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Rockville, Maryland, 20850, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Duluth, Minnesota, 55805, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Saint Joseph, Missouri, 64506, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Omaha, Nebraska, 68130, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Summit, New Jersey, 07901, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
New York, New York, 10065, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
New York, New York, 10032, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Maumee, Ohio, 43537, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Toledo, Ohio, 43623, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Temple, Texas, 43205, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting