WP1066 + Radiation for Glioblastoma

This trial explores whether combining a new drug, WP1066 (a STAT3 inhibitor), with radiation therapy can effectively treat glioblastoma, a challenging brain cancer. WP1066 targets a pathway that aids tumor growth and evasion from the immune system, while radiation therapy aims to slow tumor growth. The goal is to determine if this combination can prevent cancer progression and extend patient survival. Individuals with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, regardless of whether their tumors have been fully removed, might be eligible. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of participants.

The trial requires that you stop any active anti-cancer therapy and certain medications that interact with specific enzymes at least 2 weeks before starting the trial. If you are on medications that interact with CYP450 enzymes, you may need to stop them 2 weeks prior, and for some other medications, 7 days prior. Please consult with the trial team to review your current medications.

Research has shown that WP1066, a drug targeting a pathway linked to tumor growth, has undergone previous studies. In earlier human trials, WP1066 caused some side effects but was generally well-tolerated. For instance, a study on patients with malignant glioma (a type of brain cancer) examined the side effects and appropriate doses of WP1066. This research provides some understanding of its safety, although the treatment remains under investigation.

Most treatments for glioblastoma, like temozolomide and radiation therapy, work by attacking rapidly dividing cancer cells, but WP1066 offers a fresh approach. Researchers are excited about WP1066 because it targets a specific protein known as STAT3, which plays a key role in tumor growth and immune system evasion. By inhibiting STAT3, WP1066 not only aims to directly hinder tumor progression but also potentially boosts the body’s immune response against the cancer. This dual action could make WP1066 a powerful complement to traditional treatments, providing new hope for patients with this aggressive brain cancer.

This trial studies WP1066 in combination with radiation therapy to treat glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. WP1066 targets the STAT3 pathway, which aids tumor growth and immune evasion. Participants will receive WP1066 alongside radiation therapy. Early results from previous research suggest this combination can extend patient survival and enhance the body's ability to fight the tumor. In a previous study, models treated with WP1066 lived 55.5% longer. Although tumors eventually grew in all patients in some studies, this approach showed significant activity that could be helpful. This suggests that using WP1066 with radiation could be a promising treatment for glioblastoma.¹³⁶⁷⁸