Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (other)
Phase: 1/2
Start date: June 18, 2024
Planned enrollment: 289
AMXT 1501 dicaprate (also known as AMX 513 dicaprate or AMXT-1501) is an oral small-molecule polyamine transport inhibitor being developed primarily in combination with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO/eflornithine), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). A first-in-human, multi-part phase 1 study in advanced solid tumors has been completed and published in 2025. Pediatric development is planned in neuroblastoma, for which the combination received FDA Orphan Drug Designation in October 2025. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Phase 1 (NCT03536728) in heavily pretreated patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic solid tumors (n=56) evaluated AMXT 1501 alone and in combination with DFMO, then established the combination dose and included an expansion cohort. Confirmed responses were observed in 2 patients; 16 had stable disease, yielding an overall response rate of 6% and a clinical benefit rate of 49%. The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was AMXT 1501 600 mg twice daily plus DFMO 500 mg. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Additional ongoing/early clinical work includes a phase 0 pharmacodynamic study assessing DFMO with or without AMXT 1501 in high-grade glioma using intracranial microdialysis to measure tumor extracellular metabolites; results are exploratory. (mayo.edu)
In pediatrics, a multicenter trial of eflornithine plus AMXT 1501 in neuroblastoma and related tumors is planned (NCT06465199; not yet recruiting as of September 10, 2025). (onclive.com)
In the phase 1 study (n=56), the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were gastrointestinal: diarrhea (39.3%), nausea (37.5%), and vomiting (33.9%). No grade 4–5 treatment-emergent adverse events and no treatment-emergent deaths were reported. Overall, the combination was considered tolerable with preliminary antitumor activity. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Notes: As of November 11, 2025, published human efficacy data consist of the single-arm phase 1 trial in mixed solid tumors; randomized efficacy data have not yet been reported. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Last updated: Nov 2025
Goal: Establish the recommended phase 2 dose, safety, and preliminary activity of the polyamine- pathway combination AMXT 1501 plus eflornithine (DFMO), then test whether adding AMXT 1501 to DFMO improves progression-free survival versus DFMO alone in neuroblastoma; also estimate efficacy of the combination in ETMR/ATRT, newly diagnosed DIPG post-RT, and relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma.
Patients: Children, adolescents, and young adults with high-risk malignancies driven in part by polyamine metabolism: relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma; relapsed/refractory ETMR or ATRT; newly diagnosed DIPG after completion of standard radiotherapy; and relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma. Maximum age 21 years at diagnosis; performance status ≥60; adequate marrow, hepatic, cardiac, and renal function; recovery from prior therapy and defined washouts. Disease-status specific criteria apply, including stability requirements for active disease and timing constraints for no-evidence-of-disease states.
Design: Phase 1/2, multi-cohort. Phase 1 uses standard 3+3 dose escalation in two age-defined cohorts (AYA ≥12 years, then pediatric <12 years after RP2D established in AYA) to determine the RP2D of AMXT 1501 with DFMO. Phase 2 randomizes neuroblastoma cohort 1 to DFMO with or without AMXT 1501, with crossover to combination after progression once the primary PFS endpoint is met; cohorts 2–4 (ETMR/ATRT, DIPG, sarcomas) are single-arm combination only. Up to 24 cycles, 28 days each.
Treatments: AMXT 1501 plus eflornithine (DFMO) versus DFMO alone in randomized neuroblastoma; combination only in ETMR/ATRT, DIPG, and sarcomas. AMXT 1501 dicaprate is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of polyamine transport that complements DFMO, an irreversible ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, to suppress both polyamine synthesis and uptake. The biological rationale targets tumor polyamine dependence and compensatory uptake mechanisms implicated in neuroblastoma and diffuse midline glioma. In an adult phase 1 study across advanced solid tumors, the combination showed acceptable tolerability with primarily gastrointestinal adverse events and preliminary antitumor activity (low confirmed response rate with disease stabilization in a subset), establishing a recommended dose for further study. DFMO is an oral ODC inhibitor with prior pediatric experience as maintenance in neuroblastoma and is used here as backbone therapy.
Outcomes: Primary endpoints: Phase 1—safety, tolerability, and determination of RP2D of AMXT 1501 plus DFMO (DLTs in cycle 1). Phase 2—progression-free survival: randomized comparison of combination versus DFMO alone in neuroblastoma (cohort 1), and single-arm PFS estimates for ETMR/ATRT, DIPG post-RT, and Ewing/osteosarcoma (cohorts 2–4). Key secondary endpoints include overall response rate, overall survival, and extended safety/tolerability across cohorts.
Burden on patient: Moderate. Therapy is fully oral and administered in 28-day cycles for up to 24 cycles, which limits infusion visits; however, early-phase dose escalation typically entails frequent safety assessments, ECGs, and laboratory monitoring during cycle 1 to capture DLTs. Serial disease evaluations to document stability or response and long-term follow-up for PFS/OS are expected and may require travel at regular intervals. No protocol-mandated biopsies or intensive pharmacokinetic schedules are specified in the summary, which mitigates burden compared with many early-phase trials, but the pediatric population and multi-year follow-up add logistical demands for families.
Last updated: Nov 2025
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age:
All subjects: Must be a maximum of 21 years of age at diagnosis
Age at enrollment by Phase:
1. Phase I-AYA (adolescents and young adult) Cohort: ≥12 years of age at enrollment.
2. Phase I-Pediatric Cohort: \< 12 years of age at enrollment; may start only after DSMB review confirms the RP2D from the AYA cohort. No subject \< 12 years will be treated at a dose level higher than the RP2D established in the Phase I-AYA Cohort.
3. Phase II: ≤ 21 years of age at diagnosis (with possibly two different age-specific RP2Ds).
2. Pathology
All subjects must have a confirmed pathologic diagnosis of tumor type (except for DIPG):
* Relapsed/refractory Neuroblastoma (NB)
* Relapsed/refractory Embryonal tumor with multilayer rosettes (ETMR)
* Relapsed/refractory Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT)
* Newly diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)- radiologic diagnosis acceptable
* Relapsed/refractory Ewing Sarcoma (EWS)
* Relapsed/refractory Osteosarcoma (OST)
3. Tumor assessment:
Disease staging must be performed at baseline during the 28 day screening period prior to first dose of study drug.
4. Disease Status:
Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma Relapsed disease defined as: High-risk neuroblastoma that was previously in remission after standard therapy (at least 4 cycles of aggressive multi-drug induction chemotherapy, with or without radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy, or according to a standard high-risk treatment/neuroblastoma protocol).
Refractory disease defined as: High-risk neuroblastoma that 1) failed to achieve CR after at least 4 cycles of aggressive multi-drug induction chemotherapy with or without radiation and surgery, followed by immunotherapy, or according to a standard high-risk treatment/neuroblastoma protocol, or 2) progression during upfront therapy or 3) with disease remaining after standard immunotherapy.
Eligible NB subjects may have active disease or no active disease.
NB Subjects with no active disease need to meet the following criteria:
Timing from prior therapy: Enrollment (first dose of study drug) no later than 60 days from most recent therapy.
NB Subjects with active disease need to meet the following criteria:
* Received at least one recent treatment for their relapse/refractory disease and is stable (SD) or better on this treatment.
\*Stable disease defined as non-progression over 2 separate imaging studies at least 6 weeks apart
* Subjects must not have disease in any organs (including lungs, liver, or brain).
* Measurable tumor size is \< 2 cm
* Bone marrow \< 40% involvement
Relapsed or refractory ETMR/ATRT Subjects that have relapsed following standard of care therapy or having progressed during standard of care therapy and non-responsive/progressive to accepted curative therapy, including up-front chemotherapy and radiation and/or high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue.
ETMR/ATRT Subjects with no active disease need to meet the following criteria:
Timing from prior therapy: Enrollment (first dose of study drug) no later than 60 days from most recent therapy.
ETMR/ATRT Subjects with active disease need to meet the following criteria:
• Received at least one recent treatment for their relapse/refractory disease and is stable (SD) or better on this treatment.
\*Stable disease defined as non-progression over 2 separate imaging studies at least 6 weeks apart
Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Subjects with DIPG to start greater than 30 days, and no longer than 60 days, after standard of care radiation therapy.
Subjects with newly-diagnosed typical DIPG, defined as tumors with a pontine epicenter and diffuse involvement of the pons on at least 1 axial T2-weighted image, are eligible. No histologic confirmation is required. Subjects with metastatic disease are not eligible. Subjects with a biopsy and no evidence of H3K27m mutations are eligible as long as they meet radiographic criteria. Subjects with H3K27m altered DMG outside of the brainstem are not eligible. Subjects with progression or recurrence after initial standard of care radiation are ineligible.
Relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma Subjects that have relapsed following standard of care therapy or having progressed during standard of care therapy. Standard of care therapy for Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma includes multi-agent chemotherapy with local control consisting of either surgery or radiation therapy.
EWS/OST Subjects with no active disease need to meet the following criteria:
Timing from prior therapy: Enrollment (first dose of study drug) no later than 60 days from most recent therapy.
EWS/OST Subjects with active disease need to meet the following criteria:
• Received at least one recent treatment for their relapse/refractory disease and is stable (SD) or better on this treatment.
\*Stable disease defined as non-progression over 2 separate imaging studies at least 6 weeks apart
5. Subjects must be able to swallow capsules.
6. Subjects with CNS disease currently taking steroids must have been on a stable dose of steroids for at least one week and must not have progressive hydrocephalus at enrollment.
7. Subjects must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior anti- cancer chemotherapy and be within the following timelines:
1. Myelosuppressive chemotherapy: Must not have received within 2 weeks of enrollment onto this study (6 weeks if prior nitrosourea).
2. Small Molecule Inhibitor (anti-neoplastic agent): At least 7 days since the completion of therapy with a small molecule inhibitor. For agents that have known adverse events occurring beyond 7 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. The duration of this interval must be discussed with the Study Chair.
3. Immunotherapy: At least 4 weeks since the completion of any type of immunotherapy, e.g. tumor vaccines, CAR-T cells except for anti-GD2 Monoclonal antibodies (ex. naxitamab, dinutuximab, etc.) which should be at least 2 weeks since prior treatment with a monoclonal antibody.
4. XRT: At least 14 days since the last treatment except for radiation delivered with palliative intent to a non-target site.
Note: Subjects with DIPG will be required to have had up front standard of care radiation. As above, subjects with DIPG must be between 30-60 days post initial up front radiation therapy.
5. Stem Cell Transplant:
1. Allogeneic: No evidence of active graft vs. host disease
2. Allo/Auto: ≥ 45 days must have elapsed since transplant.
6. MIBG Therapy: At least 6 weeks since treatment with MIBG therapy.
8. Subjects must have a Lansky or Karnofsky Performance Scale score of \>/= 60
9. Subjects must have adequate organ function at the time of enrollment:
* Hematological: Hematological recovery as defined by ANC ≥750/μL (unsupported- \>24 hrs off G-CSF and 7 days off neulasta)
* Liver: Adequate liver function as defined by AST and ALT \<10x upper limit of normal
* Cardiac: all subjects must have:
1. Normal serum Cardiac Troponin Concentration
2. Normal BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) Level
3. A QTcF ≤ 470 msec (or EKG with no significant findings)
4. Normal ECHO defined as:
i. Shortening fraction of ≥ 27% by echocardiogram, or ii. Ejection fraction of ≥ 50% by echocardiogram or radionuclide angiogram
* Renal: Subjects must have adequate renal function defined as:
1. For subjects \< 17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Bedside Schwartz equation (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Bedside Schwartz equation is: \[(0.413) X (Height in cm)\] / SCr
2. For subjects ≥17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Cockcroft and Gault formula (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Cockcroft and Gault formula is: \[(140-age) x (Wt in kg) x (0.85 if female)\] / (72 x SCr)
3. OR a 24 hour urine Creatinine clearance ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2
10. Subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test. Subjects of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective birth control method. Subjects who are lactating must agree to stop breast-feeding.
11. Written informed consent in accordance with institutional and FDA guidelines must be obtained from all subjects (or subjects' legal representative).
Exclusion Criteria:
1. BSA of \<0.25 m2
2. Investigational Drugs: Subjects who are currently receiving another investigational drug are excluded from participation.
3. Anti-cancer Agents: Subjects who are currently receiving other anticancer agents are not eligible. Subjects must have fully recovered from the hematological and bone marrow suppression effects of prior chemotherapy.
4. Infection: Subjects who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible until the infection is judged to be well controlled in the opinion of the investigator.
5. Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study, or in whom compliance is likely to be suboptimal, should be excluded.
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
[email protected] / No phone
Status: Recruiting