Fimepinostat, Combination HDAC and Pi3-kinase Inhibitor Tumor-Directed Therapy for Cushing Disease

July 15, 2026 updated by: Anthony P. Heaney, University of California, Los Angeles
Supported by the pre-clinical data (summarized in Research Strategy), the investigators propose that Fimepinostat is an ideal candidate drug in the treatment and intervention of patients with Cushing Disease. The investigators propose a pilot, short-term (4 weeks) phase II single-center study to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Fimepinostat in the treatment of patients with de novo, persistent, and/or recurrent CD recruited at the University of California, Los Angeles. The trial will have a 2-arm design and will simultaneously examine two different doses of Fimepinostat. The study will allow the investigators to determine the efficacy and safety of these doses in the treatment of CD and guide dose selection for subsequent, larger studies. Funding Source - FDA OOPD.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
        • Recruiting
        • Ronald Reagan Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male and female patients at least 18 years old

  • Patients with confirmed pituitary origin Cushing syndrome defined as 1, 2& 3 or 4 & 5 below:

    1. Persistent hypercortisolism defined as a mean of 3 consecutive 24h UFC at baseline assessment ≥ 1.3x ULN
    2. Normal or elevated plasma ACTH levels
    3. Pituitary adenoma > 4mm visible on MRI or inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) central to peripheral ACTH gradient >2 at baseline and/or >2 after DDAVP stimulation.
    4. Recurrent or persistent CD defined as pathologically confirmed previously resected pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor, and 24 hour UFC >ULN at least 4 weeks after pituitary surgery.

    5. Patients on medical treatment for CD. Washout periods will be completed as below before screening: Inhibitors of steroidogenesis (metyrapone, ketoconazole, osilodristat,

      • Levo-ketoconazole): 2 weeks
      • SRLs (pasireotide): 2 weeks
      • Progesterone receptor antagonist (mifepristone): 2 weeks
      • Dopamine agonists (cabergoline): 4 weeks
      • CYP3A4 strong inducers or inhibitors: varies between drugs; minimum 5-6 times the half-life of drug

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with compromised visual fields, or evidence of visual changes within past 6 months
  • Patients with sellar tumor abutting or compressing the optic chiasm on MRI and normal visual fields
  • Patients with Cushing's syndrome not due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor
  • Patients who have undergone major surgery including pituitary surgery within 1 month of screening or who have any major surgical procedures planned across the study period
  • Patients with serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L unless stably controlled on potassium supplementation
  • Patients with poorly-controlled Diabetes mellitus evidenced by HbA1c levels >8
  • Patients with poorly controlled hypertension (i.e. blood pressure ≥ 160/100 mm Hg)
  • Patients who have clinically significant cardiovascular impairment, as evidenced by the presence of bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, history of myocardial infarction within past year, or any other cardiovascular impairment that may pose significant health risk in view of the investigator.
  • Patients with liver disease or history of liver disease such as cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis B and C, or chronic persistent hepatitis, or patients with ALT or AST >1.5 x ULN, serum total bilirubin >ULN, serum albumin <0.67 x LLN at screening
  • Patients with renal disease or history of renal disease with creatinine clearance of 30 cm3/min or less and/or creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl at screening
  • Patients not biochemically euthyroid. Patients receiving thyroid-replacement therapy must be on a stable dose for at least 3 months.
  • Patients who are known to be positive for HIV, or any other condition that significantly compromises subject's immune system.
  • History of alcohol abuse or illicit substance use within past year.
  • Female patients who are pregnant or lactating or are of childbearing potential unless willing to practice acceptable method of birth control. Women participating in the trial must employ double barrier method through oral contraceptive or diaphragm with partner utilizing a condom. Abstinence is an acceptable form of birth control if routinely practiced. Male participants must utilize a condom with spermicidal cap/jelly and agree to not donate sperm for up to 3 months beyond main study period.
  • Patients who have participated in any clinical investigation with an investigational drug within 1 month prior to screening or within 5 half-lives of the investigational treatment whichever is longer.
  • Patients with concomitant treatment of strong CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors.
  • Patients who have received pituitary irradiation within the last 5 years prior to the baseline visit
  • Patients with known hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positivity
  • Patients with known hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) positivity

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Fimepinostat 60mg
two 30mg capsules once a day, 10 subjects
Drug: Fimepinostat
The study will allow us to determine the efficacy and safety of these doses in the treatment of Cushing Disease (CD) and guide dose selection for subsequent, larger studies.
Active Comparator: Fimepinostat 30mg
single 30mg capsule daily in 10 subjects
Drug: Fimepinostat
The study will allow us to determine the efficacy and safety of these doses in the treatment of Cushing Disease (CD) and guide dose selection for subsequent, larger studies.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of participants with mUFC ≤ 1.0xULN
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
4 week UFC calculated as the mean of three 24h UFC specimens collected on consecutive days between day 24-28
Baseline, 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of participants with normalization (values within normal limits) or >50% improvement from baseline in 24h UFC, plasma ACTH, serum and salivary cortisol levels
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
4 week UFC calculated as the mean of three 24h UFC specimens collected on consecutive days between day 24-28
Baseline, 4 weeks
body weight change from baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 28
Baseline, Day 28
body mass index change from baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 28
Baseline, Day 28
Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Change from baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 28
Baseline, Day 28
Cushing Disease health-related quality of life questionnaire (CushingQoL) change from baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 28
The CushingQoL is scored using a total score ranging from 0 to 100 with lower scores indicating a greater impact on QoL
Baseline, Day 28
Beck Depression inventory second edition (BDIII) change from baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 28
Beck Depression scale is scored as follows 1-10 These ups and downs are considered normal. 11-16 Mild mood disturbances. 17-20 borderline clinical depression. 21-30 Moderate depression. 31-40 Severe depression
Baseline, Day 28

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of California, Los Angeles

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 16, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
January 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
January 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 6, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 31, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 2, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 15, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • FD-07548-01-A1
  • R01FD007548-01A1 (U.S. FDA Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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