Trial of Encapsulated Rapamycin (eRapa) for Bladder Cancer Prevention

Purpose

eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) will be investigated for secondary prevention in patients with diagnosed non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) through a phase II double-blind randomized controlled trial of long-term (one year) prevention with eRapa versus placebo. The primary hypothesis is that eRapa decreases the risk of cancer relapse for patients with NMIBC. Secondary hypotheses are that eRapa can improve certain immune parameters and improve cognition and physical function without adversely affecting patient-reported outcomes and quality of life.

Condition

  • Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Pathologically (histologically) proven diagnosis of non-muscle invasive (Ta, Tis, or T1) bladder cancer within 90 days prior to enrollment - Able to give informed consent - 18 years or older - Patients must not be taking oral glucocorticoids at the time of registration - Not have active, uncontrolled infections - No other prior non-bladder malignancy is allowed except for the following: adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, adequately treated Stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission, or any other cancer from which the patient has been disease free for five years. - Patients with localized prostate cancer who are being followed by an active survelillance program are also eligible. - Patients must not be pregnant or nursing, as the use of Intravesical BCG is not recommended during pregnancy. Women/ men of reproductive potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method. A woman is considered to be of "reproductive potential" if she has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months. Examples of effective contraception include hormonal contraception, double barrier method (condom with spermicidal cream, diaphragms with spermicidal cream, or condoms with diaphragms), Intrauterine device, and/or partner vasectomy. In addition to routine contraceptive methods, "effective contraception" also includes heterosexual celibacy and surgery intended to prevent pregnancy (or with a side-effect of pregnancy prevention) defined as a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation. However, if at any point a previously celibate patient chooses to become heterosexually active during the time period for use of contraceptive measures outlined in the protocol, he/she is responsible for beginning contraceptive measures. Both male and female patients will be required to disclose contraception method during screening and agree to continue to use that contraception method through the end of their participation in the study. - Patients must have had all grossly visible papillary tumors removed within 90 days prior to registration or cystoscopy confirming no grossly visible papillary tumors within 90 days prior to registration. - Patients with T1 disease must have cross-sectional imaging of abdomen/pelvis demonstrating no evidence of nodal involvement or metastatic disease (MRI or CT scan) within 90 days prior to registration. Patients with T1 disease must have re-resection confirming ≤ T1 disease within 90 days prior to registration. - Patients must no have received prior intravesical BCG

Exclusion Criteria

  • Have muscle-invasive or higher (≥T2) bladder cancer - Unable to give informed consent - Age 17 or younger - Taking oral glucocorticoids at the time of registration - Another cancer requiring active treatment (except basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin) - Patients at risk of pregnancy that are unwilling or unable to take effective contraception during the study period, or patients that are nursing during the study period. Women/ Men of reproductive potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method or will be considered ineligible for study participation. - Evidence of nodal involvement or metastatic disease (MRI or CT scan) within 90 days prior to registration - History of prior intravesical BCG - History of prior Rapamycin treatment

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
This is a multi-site phase II double-blind randomized trial. Subjects will be randomized into placebo arm or intervention arm with low dose (0.5 mg) eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) Monday-Friday for one year or until disease recurrence. Patients will undergo endoscopic evaluation of the bladder every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 2 years, and at year 5. Some patients may also concurrently receive BCG immune therapy maintenance (weekly for 6 weeks for induction period, weekly for 3 weeks at 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6 months for a total of 7 maintenance cycles following tumor removal) per standard of care. Patient-reported outcome assessments, cognitive assessments, and physical assessments will be completed according to the study calendar. Research blood to assess safety, immune response and rapamycin level will be collected regularly throughout the study period. Participants will be followed for up to 5 years following enrollment.
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Masking Description
Once the list is generated, a non-study staff member will deliver the list to the designated pharmacist. The pharmacist will follow the generated list in consecutive order of enrollment to determine which group the subject will be assigned. The pharmacist will prepare the correct study drug (Placebo or eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) 0.5 mg) and label the drug with subject information. Research staff will transport drug from pharmacy to clinic and provide for subject. Randomization will remain double blinded for study staff and subject. Patients will be given a once-daily oral eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) at 0.5 mg or placebo MF for 1 year. Once the primary objectives have been met (i.e., all participants have completed follow up), the study staff and PI will be unblinded to the randomized study treatment arms. The above mentioned generated randomization list with subject assignments will be provided to the study staff and PI by the designated pharmacist.

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Active Study Drug Group
Patients will be given 0.5mg eRapa (encapuslated rapamycin) orally each weekday (Monday-Friday) for one year.
  • Drug: eRapa
    0.5mg eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) oral capsules
    Other names:
    • encapsulated rapamycin
Placebo Comparator
Placebo Group
Patients will be given a placebo (visually identical to the eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin)) orally each weekday (Monday-Friday) for one year.
  • Drug: Placebos
    placebo capsules visually identical to eRapa oral capsules

Recruiting Locations

UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Contact:
Fred Norton, BS
210-450-9630
nortonk1@uthscsa.edu

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (recruiting for treatment at UT Health San Antonio)
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Contact:
Ahmed Mansour, MD
210-567-5643
Mansour@uthscsa.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Rapamycin Holdings, Inc. dba Emtora Biosciences

Study Contact

Cathy Grill, RN, BSN
919.452.0288
CGrill@lumabridge.com

Detailed Description

The study is a multi-site phase II double-blind randomized trial. Subjects will be randomized into placebo arm or intervention arm with low dose (0.5 mg) eRapa (encapsulated rapamycin) Monday-Friday for one year or until disease recurrence. Patients will undergo endoscopic evaluation of the bladder every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 2 years, and at year 5. Some patients may also concurrently receive BCG immune therapy maintenance (weekly for 6 weeks for induction period, weekly for 3 weeks at 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6 months for a total of 7 maintenance cycles following tumor removal) per standard of care. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments, cognitive assessments, and physical assessments will be completed according to the study calendar. Research blood to assess safety, immune response and rapamycin level will be collected regularly throughout the study period. Participants will be followed for up to 5 years following enrollment.