Sponsor: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (other)
Phase: 2
Start date: Sept. 25, 2024
Planned enrollment: 43
ACR-368 (prexasertib; formerly LY2606368) is an investigational, intravenous checkpoint kinase inhibitor being developed primarily for biomarker-selected patients with platinum-resistant ovarian and endometrial cancers, and other solid tumors. It targets CHK1 and CHK2 and is being advanced with a proteomics-based companion diagnostic (OncoSignature). The FDA has granted Fast Track designation for ACR-368 monotherapy in OncoSignature-positive platinum‑resistant ovarian and endometrial cancers, and Breakthrough Device designations for the OncoSignature assays in ovarian and endometrial cancers. (ir.acrivon.com)
Prexasertib inhibits CHK1/CHK2, key regulators of S/G2 cell-cycle checkpoints activated by replication stress and DNA damage. Inhibition drives replication catastrophe and mitotic entry with unrepaired DNA, leading to tumor cell death. Pharmacodynamic studies in patients show decreased RAD51 foci and increased γ‑H2AX and other DNA damage markers, consistent with homologous recombination impairment; preclinical work in high‑grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) models demonstrates monotherapy antitumor activity and synergy with PARP inhibition. (aacrjournals.org)
Combination with olaparib (phase 1): signals of activity in PARP inhibitor–resistant BRCA‑mutant HGSOC (4/18 partial responses). (aacrjournals.org)
Endometrial cancer (biomarker‑selected, ongoing)
Company‑reported, prospective OncoSignature‑positive cohort in a registrational‑intent phase 2b: confirmed ORR 62.5% (95% CI, 30.4–86.5) presented at ESMO 2024; segregation of responses by OncoSignature status reported. Data are preliminary and not yet peer‑reviewed. (ir.acrivon.com)
Other solid tumors
Across trials, the predominant toxicities are myelosuppressive: - Very common grade 3/4 neutropenia and leukopenia; thrombocytopenia and anemia also observed. Febrile neutropenia was a dose‑limiting toxicity in combination settings and occurred infrequently as high‑grade events in monotherapy studies. Growth‑factor support is commonly used. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
In the chemoradiation head‑and‑neck study, non‑hematologic events consistent with RT/EGFR‑inhibitor combinations (e.g., mucositis/stomatitis, dysphagia, dermatitis) were common. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Acrivon is conducting a multicenter, registrational‑intent phase 2 program using the ACR‑368 OncoSignature to prospectively select patients; preliminary efficacy signals (including endometrial cancer) have been disclosed by the sponsor and require independent peer‑review. The ACR‑368 program holds FDA Fast Track status, while the companion OncoSignature assays hold FDA Breakthrough Device designations (tests are investigational and not approved). (ir.acrivon.com)
Last updated: Oct 2025
Goal: Assess antitumor activity and safety of ACR-368 (prexasertib) combined with ultra–low-dose gemcitabine in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with separate evaluation by HPV/p16 status.
Patients: Adults with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx, including p16-positive or HPV-positive unknown primary. Must have measurable disease by RECIST v1.1, ECOG 0–1, adequate organ function, and prior exposure to PD-1/PD-L1 therapy unless ineligible for immunotherapy; any number of prior systemic lines allowed. Patients must provide recent tumor tissue for p16/HPV testing and OncoSignature, agree to on-treatment and progression biopsies, and have controlled/treated brain metastases if present. Key exclusions include recent systemic therapy or palliative RT windows, significant unresolved toxicities, clinically significant cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension, QTc prolongation, and pregnancy or inability to consent.
Design: Open-label, nonrandomized, two-cohort phase 2 study stratified by p16/HPV status. Approximately 43 patients will be enrolled and treated in 4-week cycles until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal.
Treatments: Lead-in low-dose gemcitabine 10 mg/m2 IV Day −7 (±3 days; Cycle 1 only), followed by ACR-368 105 mg/m2 IV every 2 weeks plus low-dose gemcitabine 10 mg/m2 IV every 2 weeks, continued together until discontinuation. ACR-368 (prexasertib) is an investigational small-molecule inhibitor of checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2 that abrogates S and G2/M checkpoints, increases replication stress, and induces DNA damage–mediated tumor cell death; tumors with high replication stress or DDR defects may be more sensitive. Early-phase studies have shown single-agent activity across several solid tumors, including subsets of ovarian and squamous carcinomas, with predominant transient myelosuppression (notably grade 3/4 neutropenia); biomarker-guided selection with a proteomic OncoSignature has enriched for responses in ongoing gynecologic cohorts. Gemcitabine at ultra–low dose here is intended as a priming/synergy strategy rather than cytotoxic dosing.
Outcomes: Primary: Overall response rate in Cohort A (p16/HPV-negative) and Cohort B (p16/HPV-positive) by investigator and blinded independent central review. Secondary: Safety/tolerability (AEs/SAEs), duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival, each analyzed with time-to-event methods as appropriate.
Burden on patient: Moderate to high. Patients must supply recent tumor tissue suitable for biomarker testing and undergo mandatory biopsies after the gemcitabine lead-in and at progression, adding procedural risk and additional visits. The dosing schedule requires infusions every 2 weeks with a pre–Cycle 1 lead-in infusion, increasing clinic time and travel. Given ACR-368’s known myelosuppressive profile, frequent laboratory monitoring and potential growth factor or transfusion support are likely. Imaging for response assessment will be at typical phase 2 intervals, but overall visit frequency, monitoring, and biopsy requirements exceed standard-of-care palliative regimens.
Last updated: Oct 2025
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patient (or a legally authorized representative) must understand and voluntarily sign informed consent prior to any study-related assessments/procedures being conducted.
* Must be able and willing to comply with the study visit schedule and protocol requirements.
* Must have sufficient archived tumor tissue available for p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining if the status is unknown. HPV status determined by HPV DNA sequencing, HPV DNA/RNA in situ hybridization, or equivalent assays using tumor tissue or cell free HPV DNA testing or equivalent using blood-based assays are also acceptable. If there is a discrepancy between p16 IHC and HPV detection assay results, HPV detection assay result will be used.
* Must have sufficient archived tumor tissue available for OncoSignature determination. The tumor tissue must be less than 3 months old from the enrollment date. There should not be any intervening systemic therapy from the date of tumor tissue collection. If not, patient must agree to a fresh tumor biopsy before starting the treatments.
* Must agree to a biopsy after the lead-in LDG infusion and at the time of disease progression (or end of treatment if applicable).
* Must have R/M HNSCC including oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Patients with p16-positive or HPV-positive unknown primary of head and neck are eligible.
* Must have been treated with one prior line of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor with/without chemotherapy. Patients who are immunotherapy ineligible due to history of autoimmune disease or steroid requirement (prednisone \>10mg per day or equivalent) are allowed to enroll without the one prior line of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor with/without chemotherapy. There is no limitation on the number of prior therapies received in the R/M setting.
* Must have at least one measurable lesion as defined by RECIST v1.1.
* Must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1.
* Must meet the laboratory criteria outlined in the protocol. Blood transfusion and/or blood product support are allowed.
* Patients of childbearing potential and patients whose sexual partners are of childbearing potential must be willing to practice an approved method of highly effective birth control with their partners starting at the time of informed consent and for 1 year after the completion of the study treatment regimen.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients should not have any prior systemic therapy for 4 weeks from the time of the study treatment.
* Patients should not have any palliative radiation therapy for 2 weeks from the time of the study treatment. Palliative radiation therapy is permitted during the study treatment if it does not involve target lesions.
* Patients with prior therapy-related toxicities Grade \>1 per National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0; except for dysphagia, alopecia, or vitiligo. Immunotherapy-related endocrinopathies stable for at least 1 month, and controlled with hormonal replacement, are not excluded. Grade 2 neuropathy stable for at least 2 weeks and controlled with supportive care medications are not excluded.
* Patients with symptomatic and/or untreated brain metastases (of any size and any number). Patients with definitively treated brain metastases may be eligible, must be stable for at least 2 weeks and must be asymptomatic with or without prednisone \<10mg (or equivalent).
* Patients who have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 45% or who are New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 2 or higher.
* Patients with cardiovascular disease defined as: A) Uncontrolled hypertension defined as blood pressure \> 160/90 mmHg at Screening confirmed by repeat (medication permitted). B) History of torsades de pointes, significant Screening electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, including ventricular rhythm disturbances, unstable cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication, pathologic symptomatic bradycardia, left bundle branch block, second degree atrioventricular (AV) block type II, third degree AV block, Grade ≥ 2 bradycardia, uncorrected hypokalemia not amenable to correction, congenital long QT syndrome, prolonged QT interval due to medications, corrected QT (QTc) \> 450 msec (for men) or \> 470 msec (for women). C) Symptomatic heart failure (per New York Heart Association guidelines; (Caraballo, 2019), unstable angina, myocardial infarction, severe cardiovascular disease (ejection fraction \< 20%, transient ischemic attack, or cerebrovascular accident within 6 months of Day 1).
* Patients who have had another primary malignancy within the previous 3 years (except for those who do not require treatment or have been curatively treated \>1 year ago, and in the judgment of the Investigator, do not pose a significant risk of recurrence; including, but not limited to, non-melanoma skin cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ \[DCIS\] or lobular carcinoma in situ \[LCIS\], or prostate cancer Gleason score ≤6.).
* Patients who are of the following protected classes will be excluded: Pregnant, parturient, or breastfeeding women. Persons who are hospitalized without consent or those deprived of liberty because of a judiciary or administrative decision. Patients with a legal protection measure or a person who cannot express his/her consent and for whom a legally authorized representative is not available.
* Patients in emergency situations who cannot consent to the study and for whom a legally authorized representative is not available.
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
[email protected] / 813-745-6020
Status: Recruiting