An Open-Label Intervention Trial to Reduce Senescence and Improve Frailty in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

SEN-SURVIVORS: An Open-Label Intervention Trial to Reduce Senescence and Improve Frailty in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

This is a first-in survivor pilot study with the goal of establishing preliminary evidence of efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two senolytic regimens to reduce markers of cellular senescence (primary outcome: p16^INK4a) and improve frailty (primary outcome: walking speed) in adult survivors of childhood cancer. If successful, this pilot would provide the preliminary evidence needed for a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to establish efficacy.

Primary Objective

• The primary aim of this proposal is to test the efficacy of two, short duration senolytic regimens: 1) combination of Dasatinib plus Quercetin and 2) Fisetin alone, to improve walking speed and decrease senescent cell abundance in blood (p16^INKA):
• Primary endpoints of this trial will be change in walking speed and senescent cell abundance in blood (p16^INK4A) determined at baseline and again at 60 days, within an individual arm. Extended follow up at 150 days will assess the permanence of change after completion of the trial. Secondary endpoints of this trial will be effect of intervention on additional measures of frailty (beyond walking speed; Fried criteria) and on other cell senescence markers, markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, bone resorption, and cognitive function.

Secondary Objectives

The secondary aim is to test the safety and tolerability of two different senolytic therapies.

Exploratory Objectives

• To compare the efficacy of the two senolytic regimens in improving walking speed and decreasing senescent cell abundance
• To evaluate the longitudinal pattern in measures of frailty.

Eligible subjects who meet inclusion criteria will be randomized, stratified on sex, 1:1 and age ( ≥40 vs < 40) to receive Dasatinib (100 mg/day) plus Quercetin (500 mg twice daily) on days 1, 2, 3, 30, 31, and 32 taken orally or Fisetin (20 mg/kg/day) alone on days 1, 2, 30 and 31 taken orally. At the visit on day 7, we will assess blood CD3+ T lymphocyte p16^INK4A mRNA and other markers of inflammation and senescence to verify that senescent cells have been cleared by the intervention. Post-treatment follow-up will occur on day 60 (primary endpoints) and day 150 to assess the permanence of change after completion of the trial. Treatment adherence will be confirmed by the study coordinator who will administer the Dasatinib + Quercetin in clinic on days 1, 2, 3, 30, 31, and 32 or Fisetin alone on days 1, 2, 30 and 31.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant in SJLIFE and > 5 years from diagnosis.
• ≥18 years of age.
• Frail (2 of 4 objectively measured Fried criteria adapted,(excluding self-reported fatigue as a criteria), including abnormal walking speed; muscle strength; activity level; and muscle mass). See Section 5 for details.
• CD3+ T lymphocytes: p16INK4A detected at <34 cycles by RT PCR.
• Agrees to use contraception as Dasatinib is teratogenic.
• Female participant has a negative pregnancy test.
• QTc <450 milliseconds in electrocardiogram.
• Able to take oral medications.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently has HIV, Hepatitis B/C, invasive fungal infection
• Anemia or as per clinical judgement.
• Hypersensitivity to study drugs
• New/active malignancy/taking chemotherapy and/or radiation except non-melanoma skin cancers
• Currently taking medications that inhibit or induce CYP3A4 or that are sensitive to substrates or substrates with a narrow therapeutic range for CYP2C8, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6.
• Taking anticoagulants or antimicrobial agents
• Currently taking Quercetin or Fisetin
• Pregnant or nursing at time of enrollment/during the study
• Impaired cognition or motor performance due to congenital defects
• Currently participating in another research intervention to aid walking speed or other measures of frailty including muscle strength; low activity; muscle mass or exhaustion/fatigue
• Participant is a Non-English Speaker
• Uncontrolled pleural/pericardial effusion or ascites
• Subjects on anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents (Warfarin, Clopidogrel [Plavix]; Dipyridamole + Aspirin [Aggrenox]; Ticagrelor [Brilintal]; Prasugrel [Effient]; Ticlopidine [Ticlid]; or other) who are unable or unwilling to reduce or hold therapy prior to and during the 2-3 day drug dosing. Subjects may continue their previous regimen after drug dosing is complete.
• Cognitive impairment defined by IQ <80
• Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder
• Laboratory tests as indicated or as per clinical judgement
• Severe hepatic dysfunction with ALT/AST > 3 times upper limit of normal.
• Total bilirubin > 2 times upper limit of normal.
• eGFR <25 ml/min/1.73m2 or as per clinical judgement.
• Hemoglobin < 7 g/dl; white blood cell count ≤2,000/mm3 (≤2.0 x 109/L) or ≥20,000/mm3 (≥20 x 109/L); platelet count ≤40,000/μL (≤40 x 109/L); absolute neutrophil count ≤1 x 109/L; lymphocyte count <0.3 x 109/L at screening as a marker of poor nutrition
• Fasting glucose >300.
• Participant is unable to ambulate