Phase II of Avutometinib (VS-6766) and Defactinib In RAF Dimer-Driven RAI-Refractory Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Patients

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Investigational drug late phase More information Active drug More information Moderate burden on patient More information

Trial Details

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (other)

Phase: 2

Start date: Aug. 16, 2023

Planned enrollment: 30

Trial ID: NCT06007924
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More trial details at ClinicalTrials.gov More info

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Investigational Drug AI Analysis

chevron Show for: Defactinib (PF-04554878, VS-6063)

chevron Show for: Avutometinib (RO-5126766, CKI-27, CH-5126766, R-7304, RG-7304, VS-6766)

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Goal: Evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of the combination of avutometinib and defactinib in patients with RAF dimer–driven, radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC).

Patients: Adults (≥18 years) with ECOG 0–1 and RECIST v1.1–measurable, RAF dimer–driven thyroid cancers. Two cohorts: Cohort A includes radioiodine-refractory, recurrent and/or metastatic DTC of follicular origin (papillary, follicular, Hürthle cell, poorly differentiated and variants) with evidence of progression within 14 months and not amenable to curative surgery/radiation; Cohort B includes ATC. Tumors must harbor a qualifying alteration consistent with RAF dimer–driven disease: RAS or NF1 mutation; RET, NTRK, or ALK rearrangement; or class 2/3 BRAF alterations (non-V600E/K mutations or rearrangements). Any number of prior therapies allowed. Key exclusions include prior MEK, FAK, or class II/III BRAF–targeted therapy (except for RAI resensitization use), uncontrolled cardiovascular or ophthalmologic risk factors for RVO, active hepatitis B, untreated symptomatic CNS disease, significant drug–drug interaction risks (strong CYP3A4/2C9 or P-gp modulators), and inability to swallow oral medications.

Design: Phase 2, nonrandomized, open-label, two-cohort study conducted with treatment intent; planned enrollment of approximately 30 participants.

Treatments: Avutometinib plus defactinib on an intermittent schedule (both 3 weeks on/1 week off): avutometinib 3.2 mg orally twice weekly and defactinib 200 mg orally twice daily. Avutometinib is a first-in-class dual RAF/MEK “clamp” that allosterically inhibits RAF and MEK and stabilizes inactive RAF–MEK complexes, aiming to prevent feedback reactivation common with MEK-only inhibition. In LGSOC, the combination with defactinib has shown higher response rates than avutometinib alone (approximately 28% vs 7%) with a manageable safety profile; common grade ≥3 events include CPK elevation, fatigue, and diarrhea. Defactinib is an oral focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Pyk2 inhibitor that targets tumor cell survival and the tumor microenvironment; as monotherapy it has modest activity, and current development focuses on combination strategies to enhance efficacy.

Outcomes: Primary endpoint for each cohort is overall response rate by RECIST v1.1, assessed up to 2 years. Safety and tolerability are also key objectives.

Burden on patient: Moderate. The regimen is entirely oral but given continuously on a 3-weeks-on/1-week-off cycle, requiring adherence and regular monitoring. Patients must provide archival tissue and agree to two research biopsies unless exempted for safety or feasibility, which increases procedure burden. Standard oncology safety labs and ECGs, eye assessments due to RVO risk, and periodic imaging for RECIST assessments are expected. Exclusion of interacting medications and counseling on CYP/P-gp interactions add logistical complexity. Travel frequency is likely higher early in treatment for safety monitoring, then aligns with typical scan intervals, resulting in an overall moderate time and procedure commitment.

Last updated: Oct 2025

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Sites (8)

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Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

New York, New York, 10065, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Suffolk - Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

Commack, New York, 11725, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)

Rockville Centre, New York, 11553, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)

Harrison, New York, 10604, United States

No email / 646-608-3774

Status: Recruiting

Lehigh Valley Health Network (Data Collection Only)

Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18103, United States

No email / 610-402-7880

Status: Recruiting

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