New phase 2 clinical trial for patients with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma

• As a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center offers our patients the most advanced treatment options through clinical trials, many of which are not readily available elsewhere. Our nationally ranked doctors specialize in the development of these studies — specifically phase 1 and 2 trials.

  In this issue we highlight a phase 2 clinical trial for patients with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma. This study is led by Sujana Movva, MD, a medical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center who specializes in sarcoma and melanoma. Dr. Margaret von Mehren and Eric Tetzlaff PA-C are also investigators involved in this study.

  TAK-228 is an mTOR inhibitor that prevents growth of cancer cells and has been shown to prevent tumor growth in animals. Therefore, the doctors now want to test if this drug can prevent tumor growth in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. The purpose of this research study is to test if TAK-228 can stop the growth of tumors; to determine if TAK-228 can shrink the size of the tumors; to determine if TAK-228 is safe and tolerable; and to determine if TAK-228 can increase survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma.

  33 people over the age of 18 years with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma will take part in this research study. To participate, patients must have disease that is progressing and have received at least one prior therapy for their cancer. Importantly, in order to be eligible, patient’s tumors will be tested to see if there is dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. It is hypothesized that patients whose tumors have an alteration of this pathway will benefit from TAK-228.