SLC-391 is a novel, potent and specific small molecule inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL with desirable potency and pharmaceutical properties. It has demonstrated antiproliferative activity against different tumour cell lines in vitro and efficacy in different animal models including nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and (acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models. It has also exhibited strong synergy with other approved targeted therapies in different animal models.

This is the first clinical study with SLC-391. The goals of this study are to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic profile of SLC-391, and then to identify a safe and pharmacologically active dose for evaluation in subsequent cohorts or clinical studies. In addition, change from baseline of possible blood biomarkers (soluble AXL and Gas 6) may be evaluated.

This is an open-label, multicentre, phase 1, dose-escalation, first in human study to evaluate the safety of SLC-391 administered orally (once or twice daily) in 21-day cycles to subjects with advanced solid tumours.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older at the time of signing the informed consent.

• Have a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of a solid tumour malignancy that is advanced and/or metastatic or unresectable and for which standard or curative measures do not exist or are no longer effective.

• Have measurable disease as per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) 1.1 or as per a modified RECIST, if applicable.

• Have a performance status score of 0 or 1 according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale.

• Be able to ingest oral medication.

• Have adequate organ function,

• Have recovered to ≤ grade 1 from the effects of any prior cancer therapy, except for alopecia; irreversible neuropathy should have recovered to ≤ grade 2. Toxic effects also include laboratory test abnormalities.

• Be afebrile at baseline prior to SLC-391 administration (ie, < 38.0 °C).

• Have a life expectancy greater than 3 months, in the Investigator's opinion.

• The following time must have elapsed between previous therapy for cancer and first dose of SLC-391:

  1. At least 4 weeks since previous cancer-directed therapy, including investigational agents or devices (cytotoxic agents, targeted therapy including monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and prior radiotherapy) with the exception of nitrosoureas/mitomycin where 6 weeks since these therapies.
  2. At least 4 weeks or 5 times the elimination half-life (whichever is shortest) of any investigational agents, including drugs, biologics, or combination products.
  3. At least 4 weeks since any major surgery.

• Sexually active women of child-bearing potential and sexually active male subjects with a female partner of child-bearing potential or pregnant must agree to use acceptable methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy from screening, for the duration of the study, and for 3 months after the last dose of study drug. Male subjects must also agree to refrain from donating sperm for the duration of the study, including during dose interruptions and for 3 months after the last dose administered.

• Be able and willing to provide signed informed consent and comply with the requirements, assessment schedule, dosing schedule, and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior use of any AXL inhibitor
• Localised or metastatic prostate cancer subjects who are concurrently receiving abiraterone or enzalutamide. Those subjects on stable (>3 months) anti-cancer hormonal therapy are allowed.
• Refractory nausea and vomiting, chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, GI bleeding, ulceration, or perforation within 12 weeks prior to the first dose of the study drug, or significant bowel resection that would preclude adequate absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of the study drug.
• History of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class ≥ III/IV), cerebrovascular accident, transient ischaemic attack, limb claudication at rest, stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage, coagulopathy, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism in the 3 months prior to consent.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 160/100 mmHg).
• History of or ongoing symptomatic dysrhythmias, uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, or heart block (excluding 1st degree block, consisting of PR interval prolongation only). Controlled atrial fibrillation is allowed.
• QTcF interval > 480 msec.
• Severe respiratory illness that significantly impacts functional status in daily life including a known history of active tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
• History of significant weight loss (≥ 7 kgs/15 lbs) within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug.
• History of primary immunodeficiency or those with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or known active hepatitis B (HBV; including core antibody and surface antigen; AntiHBc and HBsAg, respectively) or hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Note: No testing for HIV, Hepatitis B or C is required unless mandated by a local health authority.
• Active uncontrolled infection, or an unstable or severe intercurrent medical condition that requires treatment.
• History of solid organ transplant or bone marrow transplant.
• Any condition or illness that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise subject safety or interfere with the evaluation of the safety of the study drug and jeopardises compliance with the protocol and study visits.
• Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Note: Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable, i.e., without evidence of progression for at least 4 weeks by repeat imaging (note that the repeat imaging should be performed during study screening), clinically stable and without requirement of steroid treatment for at least 14 days prior to first dose of study treatment.
• History of prior malignancy, except for the following: curatively treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (nonmelanoma skin cancer); cervical or vaginal intra-epithelial neoplasia; or noninvasive breast cancer in situ at screening. Subjects with other curatively treated malignancies who have had no evidence of metastatic disease and a > 2-year disease-free interval may be enrolled after approval by the Medical Monitor or SignalChem Lifesciences (SLC) designee.
• Females who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Hypersensitivity to the study drug or excipients (lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and gelatin capsule shell).