Imaging Perfusion Restrictions From Extracellular Solid Stress - An Open-label Losartan Study (ImPRESS)

An open-label, single institutional phase II trial of losartan in patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors with an individual stepped-wedge, randomized, assessor-blinded, dose-finding design on three indications.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Glioblastoma; Brain Metastases
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Losartan

Detailed Description

For this study losartan, an angiotensin-II inhibitor, is defined as the Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP). The focus of the study is to assess the dose-response relationship of losartan on imaging-based measures of tissue perfusion and mechanical forces in patients with brain tumors. We hypothesize that losartan improves the effect of traditional cancer treatment by alleviating mechanical forces (solid stress) of the tumor microenvironment to improve tissue perfusion, while administration of losartan alone has little effect on cancer patients.

This is an open-label study and no active comparator or placebo will be used. Study participants include adult patients with newly diagnosed- and recurrent glioblastoma, as well as adult patients with metastatic brain tumors from non-small cell lung cancer. The study will assess the safety of losartan treatment and its dose-response relationship on conventional and experimental radiographic characteristics when used alone or as an add-on to standard cancer treatment.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 165
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Norway
  • Oslo, Norway, 0372
    • Oslo University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. A histologically confirmed intracranial glioblastoma, WHO grade 4 (Study A), or a minimum of one radiographically confirmed metastasis to the brain from a primary non-small-cell lung cancer (Study B)
2. Ability to undergo an MRI exam, including administration of a standard clinical dose of an MRI-specific contrast agent of gadolinium or similar
3. Measurable intracranial disease (Study A - recurrent glioblastoma, and Study B only), defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension as ≥10 mm with MRI
4. Age ≥18 years
5. Eligible for administration of the active substance (losartan) in concordance with study protocol, the criteria of the product label (Cozaar) and deemed fit for trial by the treating physician.
6. An ECOG performance status of ≤2 or equivalent KPS of ≥60%
7. Life expectancy from start of treatment of more than 3 months
8. Previous history of neurosurgical procedure (Study A - only) or stereotactic radiosurgery and immunotherapy (Study B) at time of study inclusion
9. Scheduled for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and/or stereotactic radiosurgery (Study A - recurrent glioblastoma), neurosurgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy (Study A - newly diagnosed glioblastoma), immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy (Study B)
10. Pre-study documentation on O6-methylguanin-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status and on the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene mutation status of their disease (study A only)
11. Organ functions of sufficient quality and robustness to undergo study treatment as determined by the study principal investigator (PI) or designee
12. Female patients of childbearing potential (postmenarcheal, not postmenopausal (>12 continuous months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause), and no surgical sterilization) should use highly effective contraception and take active measures to avoid pregnancy while undergoing IMP treatment and for at least 14 days after the last dose. Birth control methods considered to be highly effective include combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal or transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable or implantable), intrauterine device, intrauterine hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence when it is the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject.
13. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Hypersensitivity to the active substance (losartan) or to any of the excipients
2. Patients on antihypertensive agents that cannot be substituted with losartan.
3. Patients on medication that may induce hypotension and/or increase potassium levels and/or cause metabolism-related pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions with losartan. If medication with such effects can safely be discontinued or replaced, the patient can be included in the study after a washout period before baseline.
4. Patients with hepatic or renal impairment of any reason
5. Patients with symptomatic hypotension of any reason
6. Patients with primary hyperaldosteronism
7. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucosegalactose malabsorption should not take this medicine
8. Inadequate recovery from toxicity and/or complications of previous therapy as determined by the treating physician
9. Patients with evidence of recurrence inside the radiotherapy target volume less than 3 months since last radiotherapy fraction (Study A - recurrent glioblastoma only)
10. For Study B subjects only. A diagnosis of immunodeficiency or hypersensitivity to the PD-1 inhibitors or any of its excipients
11. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, angioedema, intravascular volume depletion, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements as determined by treating the physician
12. Patients suffering from aortic or mitral stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
13. Patient with known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study as determined by the treating physician
14. Pregnant or breastfeeding patient
15. Known additional active non-study related malignancy
16. Applies to Study B patients qualifying for immunotherapy only: Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the last 2 years (including use of non-study related disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is allowed
17. Known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies)
18. Unable to undergo brain MRI according to study protocol
19. For Study B subjects only: No previous history of immunotherapy at time of study inclusion.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Study A: Recurrent glioblastoma (denoted 'AR'); Patients with recurrent glioblastoma (N=54) with be randomized (ratio 1:1:1) to doses of 25mg, 50mg or 100mg daily of losartan while on treatment. Losartan (tablet) will be administered every day, with 2 weeks (14 consecutive days) defined as a treatment cycle. Based on randomization, a minimum of three cycles and a maximum of 12 cycles will be administered for a total of 6 weeks (42 days) to 24 weeks (168 days), respectively. Patients randomized to 100mg of losartan will all receive treatment for the maximum duration. A stepped-wedge randomized design (ratio 1:1:1 for all doses over the three first cycles) is proposed to compare participants on- and off- study IMP and assess any dose-response relationship losartan. This study arm will also investigate any additional long-term beneficial effects of losartan while receiving chemotherapy (temozolomide or lomustine tablets).	Drug: Losartan; This trial is open-label; therefore, the participant, the trial site personnel, the Sponsor and/or designee are not blinded to treatment. Drug identity (name, strength) is included in the label text. Storage, handling and preparation requirements will be handled in concordance with the Pharmacy Manual for losartan.
Experimental: Study A: Newly diagnosed glioblastoma (denoted 'AN'); Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (N=54) with be randomized (ratio 1:1:1) to doses of 25mg, 50mg or 100mg daily of losartan while on treatment. Losartan (tablet) will be administered every day, with 2 weeks (14 consecutive days) defined as a treatment cycle. Based on randomization, a minimum of three cycles and a maximum of 17 cycles will be administered for a total of 6 weeks (42 days) to 34 weeks (238 days), respectively. Patients randomized to 100mg of losartan will all receive treatment for the maximum duration. A stepped-wedge randomized design (ratio 1:1:1 for all doses over the three first cycles) is proposed to compare participants on- and off- study IMP and assess any dose-response relationship losartan. This study arm will also investigate any additional long-term beneficial effects of losartan while receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (Temozolomide tablets).	Drug: Losartan; This trial is open-label; therefore, the participant, the trial site personnel, the Sponsor and/or designee are not blinded to treatment. Drug identity (name, strength) is included in the label text. Storage, handling and preparation requirements will be handled in concordance with the Pharmacy Manual for losartan.
Experimental: Study B: Brain metastases (denoted 'BM'); Patients with brain cancer from non-small cell lung cancer (N=45) with all receive a dose of 50mg daily of losartan while on treatment. Losartan (tablet) will be administered every day, with 3 months (90 consecutive days) defined as a treatment cycle. A minimum of one cycle and a maximum of three cycles will be administered for a total of 3 months (90 days) to 9 months (270 days), respectively. A stepped-wedge randomized design (ratio 1:1:1 over the three first cycles) is proposed to compare participants on- and off- study IMP and assess any dose-response relationship losartan. This study arm will also investigate any additional long-term beneficial effects of losartan while receiving chemotherapy alone (carboplatin in combination with vinorelbin or pemetrexed or equivalent analogs) or in combination with pembrolizumab (2mg/kg/3rd week).	Drug: Losartan; This trial is open-label; therefore, the participant, the trial site personnel, the Sponsor and/or designee are not blinded to treatment. Drug identity (name, strength) is included in the label text. Storage, handling and preparation requirements will be handled in concordance with the Pharmacy Manual for losartan.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Relative cerebral blood flow by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF)	Study AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±7, Day 180±7, Day 270±7
Relative solid stress by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative solid stress	Study AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±7, Day 180±7, Day 270±7

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Relative cerebral blood volume by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV)	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Mean transit time by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative mean transit time (rMTT)	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Contrast agent extravasation by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker contrast agent extravasation	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative vessel size index by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative vessel size index	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative mean vessel density by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative mean vessel density	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative mean vessel caliber by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative mean vessel caliber	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Apparent diffusion coefficient by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker apparent diffusion coefficient	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Fractional anisotropy by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker fractional anisotropy	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative shear modulus by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative shear modulus	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative stiffness by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative stiffness	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative viscosity by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative viscosity	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Relative strain tensor by MRI	Change from baseline in the radiographic biomarker relative strain tensor	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 28-30, Day 42-44, Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Drug tolerance	Drug tolerance of losartan according to NCI-CTCAE v4.0	Study arm AR: Day 168+14. Study arm AN: Day 238+14. Study arm BM: Day 270+14.
Neurologic performance by KPS	Change from baseline in neurologic performance scores by Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS). Range from [00-0]. The lower the Karnofsky score, the worse the survival for most serious illnesses.	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, Day 85±4, Day 169±4. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, DAy 71±4, Day 155±4, Day 239±. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90-7, Day 180-1, Day 270-1, Day 360±7
Neurologic performance by ECOG	Change from baseline in neurologic performance scores by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores. It describes a patient's level of functioning in terms of their ability to care for themself, daily activity, and physical ability in a range from 0 (best) to 5 (dead).	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, Day 85±4, Day 169±4. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, DAy 71±4, Day 155±4, Day 239±. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90-7, Day 180-1, Day 270-1, Day 360±7
Neurologic performance by NANO	Change from baseline in neurologic performance scores by Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale as an objective and quantifiable metric of neurologic function evaluable during a routine office examination. The NANO Scale evaluates 9 major domains of neurologic function, with each domain being scored on a range from 0 to 2 or 3.	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, Day 85±4, Day 169±4. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 14-16, Day 42-44, DAy 71±4, Day 155±4, Day 239±. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90-7, Day 180-1, Day 270-1, Day 360±7
RANO	Change from baseline in radiographic status on MRIs of intracranial disease corresponding to treatment response using the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria.	Study arm AR: Day 78-8/+1, Day 162-8/+1. Study arm AN: Day 148-8/+1, Day 232-8/+1. Study arm BM: Day 90±14, Day 180±14, Day 270±14.
Steroid dosage	Change in dosage during study treatment.	Study arm AR: Baseline, Days 1-3, 29-31, 57±7, 85±7, 113±7, 141±7, 169±7. Study arm AN: Baseline, Days 29-31, 43-45, 71±7, 99±7, 127±7, 155±7, 183±7, 211±7, 239±7. Study arm BM: Baseline, Days 90±7, 180±7, 270±7, 360±7.
Quality of life (QoL)	Change from baseline in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ BN20). It scores 20 items that assess future uncertainty, visual disorder, motor dysfunction, and communication deficit. Items are presented as questions on a scale ranging from 1 = "not at all" to 4 = "very much."	Study arm AR: Baseline, Day 42-44, 169±4. Study arm AN: Baseline, Day 42-44, Day 155±4, Day 239±4. Study arm BM: Baseline, Day 90-7, Day 180-7, Day 270-7, Day 360±7
Progression free survival (PFS)	6-months progression free survival (6M-PFS) and within 2 years	All studies: Day +180, up to 24 months
Overall survival (OS)	12-months overall survival (12M-OS), 24-months overall survival (24M-OS) and within 2 years.	All studies: at 12 months, at 24 months, up to 24 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kyrre Eeg Emblem
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Petter Brandal, MD, PhD, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 10, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 13, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): May 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 1, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 31, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain Cancer; Losartan; Perfusion; Angiotensin II receptor blocker; Solid stress
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Astrocytoma; Glioma; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Nervous System Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; Brain Neoplasms; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Antihypertensive Agents; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Losartan
• Other Study ID Numbers: ImPRESS; 2018-003229-27 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Study protocol, Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP), Informed Consent Form (ICF) will be made available at the time of research data publication
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Supporting information will be made available at the time of research data publication. No end date for sharing of supporting information.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Open upon request or by journal criteria
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No