Abstract
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that is notoriously resistant to current therapies, leading to dismal patient outcomes and a median survival of just 14.6 months. A major problem in glioblastoma treatment is the inability to effectively target the cell population that gives rise to recurrence. These cells, known as glioma stem cells (GSCs) or tumor propagating cells are endowed with a large capacity for self-renewal to propagate the tumor. GSCs are resistant to radiation. Ibrutinib is a first-in-class, potent, orally administered, covalently binding Inhibitor of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK). Ibrutinib is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase. It also inhibits BMX. Bone marrow X-linked (BMX) nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activates STAT3 signaling to maintain self-renewal and tumorigenic potential of GSCs. Hence a combination of ibrutinib with radiation and or temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed Glioblastoma is warranted.
METHODS
This is a two arm study. Arm 1 is for patients with unmethylated MGMT Glioblastoma. Every patient gets ibrutinib and 60 Gy radiation over 6 weeks. Patients will undergo a 4-week break and Ibrutinib treatment will then continue until disease progression, intolerable toxicity or death. Arm 2 is for patients with MGMT methylated glioblastoma. Every patient will receive Ibrutinib and 60 Gy radiation and daily Temozolomide at 75 mg/m2 for 6 weeks. Patients will undergo a 4-week break then receive daily ibrutinib and adjuvant Temozolomide. The temozolomide will continue until disease progression, intolerable toxicity or death or maximum of 6 cycles. Ibrutinib treatment will continue until disease progression, intolerable toxicity or death.
RESULTS
The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Ibrutinib with radiation (2 Gy x 30) in patients in each arm will be reported. The safety of Ibrutinib with radiation and with radiation and temozolomide will be reported. The Progression free survival and overall survival in each arm will be reported.
CONCLUSION
This is an ongoing clinical trial. Results will be reported once study is complete.