Sponsor: J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (industry)
Phase: 3
Start date: Dec. 5, 2025
Planned enrollment: 480
Nanvuranlat (JPH203; KYT-0353) is an investigational intravenous cancer drug studied primarily in advanced biliary tract cancer. Human results include a small phase I study and a randomized phase II trial; a phase III trial is evaluating whether the phase II finding translates into a survival benefit. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Nanvuranlat inhibits LAT1 (SLC7A5), a transporter that brings essential amino acids into cells and is overexpressed in various cancers. Laboratory studies characterize it as a selective, competitive inhibitor intended to restrict the amino-acid supply that supports tumor growth. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
In a Japanese phase II trial involving 105 patients with previously treated advanced biliary tract cancer, 70 were assigned nanvuranlat and 35 placebo. Nanvuranlat improved progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.56; 95% CI 0.34–0.90; P = 0.02), but overall survival was not significantly different. A conference abstract reported disease control in approximately 24.6% versus 11.4%, respectively; disease control includes stable disease and is not an objective response rate. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
In the earlier phase I study of 17 patients with advanced solid tumors, one patient with biliary tract cancer had a partial response. The small study cannot establish a response rate for that cancer. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
In phase II, grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 30.0% of patients assigned nanvuranlat and 22.9% assigned placebo. In phase I, grade 3 liver dysfunction occurred in one of six patients at 60 mg/m² and in the first patient at 85 mg/m², limiting dose escalation. These findings leave the benefit–risk balance to be tested further. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Last updated: Sep 2026
Goal: Select a nanvuranlat dosing regimen and determine whether it improves survival compared with physician’s best choice in previously treated advanced biliary tract cancer.
Patients: Adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic intrahepatic or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer, ECOG performance status 0–1, measurable disease, and progression after one appropriate platinum-based regimen for advanced disease. Prior indicated molecularly targeted treatment or immunotherapy is permitted.
Design: Multicenter, randomized, open-label, two-part study. Part A assigns patients equally among three nanvuranlat regimens and physician’s best choice to select a regimen. Part B randomizes patients 1:1 to the selected nanvuranlat regimen or physician’s best choice; randomization is stratified by biliary tract cancer subtype.
Treatments: Nanvuranlat is given intravenously in 14-day cycles: 50 or 75 mg over 90 minutes daily for five days followed by nine days off, or 375 mg over 46 hours once per cycle. It inhibits the LAT1 amino-acid transporter, aiming to restrict the essential amino acids available to tumor cells. In a prior randomized phase II study, nanvuranlat improved progression-free survival versus placebo (hazard ratio 0.56), but overall survival was not significantly different. Physician’s best choice is FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or best supportive care, selected as clinically appropriate. Treatment continues until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a decision to stop.
Outcomes: The primary endpoint is preliminary overall survival in Part A and overall survival in Part B. Part B also assesses investigator-assessed progression-free survival and objective response by RECIST 1.1, adverse events, dose intensity and modifications, and clinically significant ECG abnormalities.
Burden on patient: Moderate to high, depending on assignment. Treatment generally requires visits every two weeks; the five-day nanvuranlat schedules require five consecutive infusion days per cycle, while the alternative requires a 46-hour infusion. Patients also undergo periodic imaging, physical examinations, ECGs, laboratory testing, and blood and urine sampling, with tissue testing or a fresh biopsy when appropriate. Best supportive care may entail fewer treatment visits.
Last updated: Sep 2026
Inclusion Criteria:
\- Individuals are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria apply:
1. At least 18 years of age inclusive at the time of signing the informed consent.
2. Provides informed written consent according to local laws or regulations.
3. Able and willing to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plans, procedures, and laboratory tests, including peripheral blood and urine sampling during the study.
4. Willing to participate in LAT1 testing and NAT2 and transporter genotyping. Note: For LAT1 testing, if the participant does not have archival tissue and a fresh biopsy is not in the best interest of the participant, they will still be eligible for the trial.
5. Cancer must be metastatic, locally advanced and unresectable, or not amenable to treatment with local therapies that could offer a reasonable likelihood of clinical benefit.
6. Histologic or cytologic diagnosis of BTC.
7. Has BTC that is classified as either an IHC, EHC, or GBC based on surgical, clinical, or laparoscopic findings and/or radiological imaging (eg, CT, MRI).
8. Has received 1 prior appropriate platinum (cisplatin, carboplatin, or oxaliplatin)-based therapy for advanced disease (locally advanced or metastatic) with or without a mAb targeting PD-1 or PD-L1.
1. Disease progression during or within 6 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with a platinum-containing regimen will count as having received 1 prior regimen.
2. If a patient has a mutation/fusion of IDH1, FGFR2 or NTRK, or an amplified, mutated, or overexpressed form of HER2, or a recognized aberration in a validated "driver" of BTC, and was treated with an appropriate targeted agent, or the patient's tumor was determined to be MSI-H and an appropriate PD-1/PD-L1 mAb was administered, the targeted therapy or immunotherapy will NOT count as a separate line of treatment.
9. ECOG PS of 0 or 1.
10. Expected life expectancy of at least 90 days after the first day of treatment as per the site Investigator.
11. At least 1 measurable lesion by RECIST v1.1 based on imaging (eg, CT, MRI) performed within 28 days prior to initiation of study intervention. Those who have received prior local therapy, including but not limited to embolization, chemoembolization, radiation therapy, and/or other appropriate ablative procedures to a measurable lesion that is within the treatment and shown ≥ 20% growth in size since posttreatment assessment.
12. Resolution to ≤ Grade 1 by the NCI CTCAE v 5.0 (or higher) of all clinically significant toxic effects of prior chemotherapy or other treatments, except for alopecia and peripheral neuropathy (these must have resolved to ≤ Grade 2). If medical therapy is required for the treatment of a laboratory abnormality, the dose and laboratory value(s) should be stable.
13. Adequate hematologic function:
1. ANC ≥ 1.5 × 109/L. Myeloid growth factors must not have been administered within 7 days before the participant's first dose of study intervention.
2. Hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 g/dL and no RBC transfusions during the 14 days before the participant's first dose of study intervention.
3. Platelet count ≥ 100 × 109/L and no platelet transfusions during the 14 days before the participant's first dose of study intervention.
14. Adequate baseline organ function, as demonstrated by the following:
1. eGFR ≥ 50 mL/min as estimated by CKD-EPI 2021.
2. Bilirubin ≤ 2 × ULN (local institution).
3. AST and ALT ≤ 5 × ULN (local institution).
15. Adequate coagulation function as defined by INR ≤ 1.5 OR a PT ≤ 1.5 × ULN AND an aPTT ≤ 1.5 × ULN if not receiving anticoagulation therapy. Note: Participants may receive subtherapeutic doses of warfarin while on study to maintain patency of venous devices but not with therapeutic doses of warfarin. Participants may be treated with low-molecular weight heparin.
16. Women of childbearing potential must be willing to use a highly effective method of contraception throughout the study and study follow up or for at least 9 months after the last dose of study intervention. Note: A woman is of nonchildbearing potential if she meets 1 of the following criteria: a) postmenopausal with at least 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea; b) has had a bilateral oophorectomy; or c) has had a hysterectomy. Highly effective methods of contraception include:
* Abstinence from sexual activity.
* Hormonal contraception (eg, injection, implant, pill, patch, or vaginal ring as available in each country) associated with inhibition of ovulation (both estrogen and progestogen and progestogen only) in use for at least 30 days before administration of study intervention.
* Intrauterine device in use for at least 30 days before administration of study intervention.
* Intrauterine hormone-releasing system in use for at least 30 days before administration of study intervention.
* Bilateral tubal occlusion/ligation at least 6 months before administration of study intervention.
* Partner who has been vasectomized at least 6 months before administration of study intervention.
17. Males and their female partners must use a highly effective method of birth control if female partner(s) is of childbearing potential, and males must not donate sperm during the study and for 9 months after the last dose of study intervention.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Individuals will be excluded from study participation if they meet any of the following criteria:
1. Received systemic therapy or an investigational agent before washing out, as follows:
1. \< 2 weeks prior to Cycle 1 Day 1 for systemic non-immune-based therapy
2. \< 3 weeks prior to Cycle 1 Day 1 for immune-based therapy
3. ≤ 5 half-lives or 3 weeks (whichever is longer) prior to Cycle 1 Day 1 for an investigational agent
2. Received radiotherapy to metastatic sites within 2 weeks of Cycle 1 Day 1. Patients must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities and not require corticosteroids. A 1 week washout is permitted for palliative radiation with a limited port ≤ 2 weeks of radiotherapy to non-CNS disease.
3. Underwent hepatic radiation, chemoembolization, or radiofrequency ablation \< 4 weeks prior to Cycle 1 Day 1.
4. Underwent major surgery \< 3 weeks before Screening and has not recovered adequately from the procedure and/or any complications from the surgery prior to starting study intervention.
5. Known active CNS metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Those with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable (ie, without evidence of PD for at least 4 weeks by repeat imaging), clinically stable, and without requirement of corticosteroid treatment for at least 14 days prior to first dose of study intervention. For those with a history of CNS involvement, repeat imaging should be performed during study screening. However, CNS imaging is not required prior to study entry unless there is clinical suspicion of CNS involvement.
6. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease (eg, uncontrolled or any New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4 heart failure, uncontrolled angina, history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or stroke within 6 months prior to study entry, uncontrolled hypertension or clinically significant arrhythmias not controlled by medication).
7. Resting QTcF \> 470 msec at screening.
8. An additional active malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Cases involving a past cancer history with substantial potential for recurrence must be discussed with the Medical Monitor before study entry. Patients with the following concomitant neoplastic diagnoses are eligible: non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ (including transitional cell carcinoma, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, breast cancer, and melanoma in situ), organ-confined prostate cancer with no evidence of PD.
9. Require strong inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP1A2, and OAT3 transporters unless they can be transferred to other medications within ≥ 5 half-lives of treatment.
10. Require sensitive substrates of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 unless they can be transferred to other medications within ≥ 5 half-lives of treatment.
11. Known positive status for HIV, has not been treated with established appropriate antiretroviral therapy for at least 4 weeks, and has a hydrophobic interaction chromatography viral load \< 400 copies/mL and a CD4+ T-cell (CD4+) counts ≥ 350 cells/µL prior to enrollment. No HIV testing is required unless mandated by local health authority.
12. Active or chronic HBV and active (not cured) HCV. Participants who are HBV carriers without active disease (HBV DNA titer \< 1000 copies/mL or 200 IU/mL) or cured HCV (negative HCV RNA test) with confirmed viral clearance that are not receiving ongoing treatment and without residual chronic liver disease may be enrolled.
13. An uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to medical illness; uncontrolled infection requiring therapy; psychiatric illness; alcohol or drug dependence; social situations or a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating Investigator or Medical Monitor.
14. Requires therapeutic doses of warfarin (ie, requires monitoring). A washout period of 7 days before administration of a participant's first dose of study intervention is required for those in whom therapeutic doses of warfarin are discontinued. Note: Warfarin at a low daily dose to maintain patency for indwelling venous catheters is allowed. Low-molecular weight heparin and direct-acting oral anticoagulants, according to the inclusion requirements pertaining to coagulation test results, are allowed.
15. Clinically significant edema or intracavitary fluid collections (eg, ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusions) resulting in moderate symptoms and/or requiring frequent drainage.
16. Previously developed shock, anaphylaxis, or renal disorder due to SBECD.
17. WOCBP who is pregnant, lactating, or discontinued lactation \< 12 weeks prior to Screening, or who plans to become pregnant or initiate lactation during the study.
18. Known reaction or contraindication to any component of study intervention (ie, oxaliplatin, leucovorin \[including levoleucovorin\], and 5-FU \[FOLFOX\] and irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-FU \[FOLFIRI\]).
19. Known DPD deficiency. Screening for DPD deficiency is not mandated but should be considered in subjects who have had severe toxicity due to fluoropyrimidine-based therapy in the past.
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
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Status: Recruiting
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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Status: Recruiting
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73120, United States
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Status: Recruiting
Gilbert, Arizona, 85234, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Duarte, California, 91010, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Santa Monica, California, 90404, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Orange, California, 92868, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Louisville, Kentucky, 40127, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Detroit, Michigan, 48186, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Buffalo, New York, 14263, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Columbus, Ohio, 43219, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Hosuton, Texas, 77030, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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Status: Not yet recruiting