Study of the IDO Pathway Inhibitor, Indoximod, and Temozolomide for Pediatric Patients With Progressive Primary Malignant Brain Tumors

A Phase I Trial of Indoximod and Temozolomide-Based Therapy for Children With Progressive Primary Brain Tumors

This is a first-in-children phase 1 trial using indoximod, an inhibitor of the immune "checkpoint" pathway indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), in combination with temozolomide-based therapy to treat pediatric brain tumors. Using a preclinical glioblastoma model, it was recently shown that adding IDO-blocking drugs to temozolomide plus radiation significantly enhanced survival by driving a vigorous, tumordirected inflammatory response. This data provided the rationale for the companion adult phase 1 trial using indoximod (IND#120813) plus temozolomide to treat adults with glioblastoma, which is currently open (NCT02052648). The goal of this pediatric study is to bring IDO-based immunotherapy into the clinic for children with brain tumors. This study will provide a foundation for future pediatric trials testing indoximod combined with radiation and temozolomide in the up-front setting for patients with newly diagnosed central nervous system tumors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3-21 years.
• Group 1 or Group 3: histologically proven initial diagnosis of primary malignant brain tumor, with no known curative treatment options.
• Group 2: histologically proven initial diagnosis of high-grade glioma (WHO grade III and IV), ependymoma, medulloblastoma, or other primary central nervous system tumor.
• Group 3b: Patients with a radiographic diagnosis or histologically proven diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
• MRI confirmation of tumor progression or regrowth.
• Patients must be able to swallow whole capsules.
• Patients with metastatic disease are eligible for enrollment.
• Lansky or Karnofsky performance status score must be > 50%.
• Seizure disorders must be well controlled on antiepileptic medication.
• DIPG patients enrolled to Group 3b must not have been previously treated with radiation or any medical therapy.
• Patients previously treated with temozolomide, cyclophosphamide, and/or etoposide are eligible for enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior invasive malignancy, other than the primary central nervous system tumor, unless the patient has been disease free and off therapy for that disease for a minimum of 3 years
• Patients with baseline QTc interval of more than 470 msec at study entry, and patients with congenital long QTc syndrome.
• Active autoimmune disease