Randomized Trial of Topotecan With M6620, an ATR Kinase Inhibitor, in Small Cell Lung Cancers and Small Cell Cancers Outside of the Lungs

Last updated: April 8, 2026
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Carcinoma

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer

Treatment

Computed Tomography

Berzosertib

Biopsy

Clinical Study ID

NCT03896503
NCI-2019-01769
10268
20-C-0009
ZIABC011078
NCI-2019-01769
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This phase II trial studies how well berzosertib (M6620) works when given in combination with topotecan hydrochloride (topotecan) compared with topotecan alone in treating patients with small cell lung cancer that has come back (relapsed), or small cell cancer that arises from a site other than the lung (extrapulmonary). Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as topotecan hydrochloride, work by damaging the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in tumor cells, causing those cells to die and the tumor to shrink. However, some tumor cells can become less affected by chemotherapy because they have ways to repair the damaged DNA. The addition of M6620 could help topotecan hydrochloride shrink the cancer and prevent it from returning by blocking enzymes needed for DNA repair.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients enrolled to the primary cohort must have limited- or extensive-disease SCLCat diagnosis, with relapse at study entry with measurable disease at randomassignment per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. Bothplatinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant patients will be included

  • Patients with extrapulmonary small cell cancers (cancers with small cell morphologyand arising outside the lung, such as small cell prostate, bladder, etc.) will beeligible for the exploratory cohort

  • Patients must be >= 18 years of age because no dosing or adverse event data arecurrently available on the use of M6620 in combination with topotecan in patients <18 years of age

  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 60%)

  • Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dL - patients may receive transfusion to meet the hemoglobin (Hb) eligibility

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mcL

  • Platelets >= 100,000/mcL

  • Total bilirubin =< 2 mg/dL

  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) =< 3.0 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)

  • Creatinine =< institutional ULN OR

  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >= 60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 unless data exists supportingsafe use at lower kidney function values, no lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m^2

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive subjects on combination antiretroviraltherapy are eligible as long as they are on effective anti-retroviral therapy withundetectable viral load within 6 months and there is no drug-drug interaction withM6220

  • For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBVviral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated

  • Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treatedand cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they areeligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load

  • The effects of M6620 on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason andbecause DNA-damage response (DDR) inhibitors as well as other therapeutic agentsused in this trial are known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potentialmust agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birthcontrol; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation,and for 6 months after completion of M6620 administration. Should a woman becomepregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating inthis study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated orenrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to thestudy, for the duration of study participation, and for 6 months after completion ofM6620 administration

  • Patients with treated brain metastases are eligible if they are symptomaticallystable while off steroid therapy for a minimum of 21 days

  • Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatmentdoes not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment ofthe investigational regimen are eligible for this trial

  • Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history oftreatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiacfunction using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To beeligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better

  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consentdocument

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with symptomatic brain metastasis are not eligible due to their extremelypoor prognosis and since it is unclear whether the investigational agent penetratesthe blood-brain barrier. However, subjects who have had treatment for their brainmetastasis and are symptomatically stable while off steroid therapy for a minimum of 21 days may be enrolled

  • Patients who have received prior topotecan therapy

  • Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 3 weeks prior toenrollment.

  • Note: Patients who have had palliative radiotherapy may be included as long asthey have recovered from any radiotherapy related adverse events (allow atleast a week between radiotherapy completion and study treatment)

  • Patients who have not recovered from adverse events due to prior anti-cancer therapyexcept hair loss and peripheral neuropathy (i.e., have residual toxicities > grade

  • Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents

  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical orbiologic composition to M6620 or topotecan used in study

  • M6620 is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4); therefore,concomitant administration with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole,itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir and saquinavir) orinducers of CYP3A4 (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St.John's wort) should be avoided. Patients requiring any medications or substancesthat are strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A during the course of the study areineligible. Because the lists of these agents are constantly changing, it isimportant to regularly consult a frequently-updated medical reference for a list ofdrugs to avoid or of which to minimize use. The Patient Drug Interactions Handoutand Wallet Card should be provided to patients. As part of the enrollment/informedconsent procedures, the patient will be counseled on the risk of interactions withother agents, and what to do if new medications need to be prescribed or if thepatient is considering a new over-the-counter medicine or herbal product

  • Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illness

  • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because M6620 as a DDR inhibitor mayhave the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is anunknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary totreatment of the mother with M6620, breastfeeding should be discontinued if themother is treated with M6620. These potential risks may also apply to topotecan usedin this study

  • Patients with high grade neuroendocrine cancers, but with no small cell morphologywill not be eligible

  • Patients with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance withstudy requirements

  • Patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome will not be eligible

Study Design

Total Participants: 104
Treatment Group(s): 6
Primary Treatment: Computed Tomography
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
December 30, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
June 23, 2026

Study Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine if the combination of berzosertib (M6620) with topotecan hydrochloride (topotecan) will result in an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to topotecan alone in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine the objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS) with the combination of M6220 and topotecan in patients with relapsed SCLC and extrapulmonary small cell cancers.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To perform molecular profiling assays on malignant and normal tissues, including, but not limited to ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing (RNA-Seq):

Ia. To assess expression of genes Schlafen family member 11 (SLFN11), MYC, and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) among others.

Ib. To identify potential predictive biomarkers of response to a combination of M6620 with topotecan.

Ic. Identify mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)- and RNA-based assessment platforms.

II. To contribute genetic analysis data from de-identified biospecimens to Genomic Data Commons (GDC), a well annotated cancer molecular and clinical data repository, for current and future research; specimens will be annotated with key clinical data, including presentation, diagnosis, staging, summary treatment, and if possible, outcome.

III. To bank formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, blood (for cell-free DNA analysis), and nucleic acids obtained from patients at the Early-Phase and Experimental Clinical Trials (EET) Biobank at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

IV. To characterize circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells in patients with relapsed SCLC and extrapulmonary small cell cancers.

V. To identify potential predictive biomarkers of response to a combination of M6620 with topotecan in patients with extrapulmonary small cell cancers.

OUTLINE: Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 cohorts.

COHORT I: Patients with SCLC are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Participants receive topotecan hydrochloride intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1-5. Cycles repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Participants may crossover to Arm II at disease progression. Participants undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan during screening and on study as well as a tumor biopsy during screening. Participants may also undergo blood sample collection during screening and on study.

ARM II: Participants receive topotecan hydrochloride IV over 30 minutes on days 1-5 and berzosertib (M6620) IV over 60 minutes on days 2 and 5. Cycles repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Participants undergo a CT scan during screening and on study as well as a tumor biopsy during screening. Participants may also undergo blood sample collection during screening and on study.

COHORT II (Patients with extrapulmonary small cell cancer): Participants receive topotecan hydrochloride IV over 30 minutes on days 1-5 and berzosertib (M6620) IV over 60 minutes on days 2 and 5. Cycles repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Participants undergo a CT scan during screening and on study as well as a tumor biopsy during screening. Participants may also undergo blood sample collection during screening and on study.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 4 weeks and then every 12 weeks thereafter.

Connect with a study center

  • Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California 90033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California 90033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Los Angeles, California 90033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • USC Norris Oncology/Hematology-Newport Beach

    Newport Beach, California 92663
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Sacramento, California 95817
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Los Angeles 5368361, California 5332921 90033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Los Angeles 5368361, California 5332921 90033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • USC Norris Oncology/Hematology-Newport Beach

    Newport Beach 5376890, California 5332921 92663
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Sacramento 5389489, California 5332921 95817
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital

    Aurora, Colorado 80045
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Colorado Hospital

    Aurora, Colorado 80045
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital

    Aurora 5412347, Colorado 5417618 80045
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Clinical Research Center

    Fairway, Kansas 66205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • HaysMed

    Hays, Kansas 67601
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • HaysMed University of Kansas Health System

    Hays, Kansas 67601
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center

    Kansas City, Kansas 66160
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Lawrence Memorial Hospital

    Lawrence, Kansas 66044
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Olathe Health Cancer Center

    Olathe, Kansas 66061
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe

    Olathe, Kansas 66061
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park

    Overland Park, Kansas 66210
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus

    Overland Park, Kansas 66211
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Ascension Via Christi - Pittsburg

    Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mercy Hospital Pittsburg

    Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Salina Regional Health Center

    Salina, Kansas 67401
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus

    Topeka, Kansas 66606
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

    Westwood, Kansas 66205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Clinical Research Center

    Fairway 4271358, Kansas 4273857 66205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • HaysMed

    Hays 4272782, Kansas 4273857 67601
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center

    Kansas City 4273837, Kansas 4273857 66160
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Lawrence Memorial Hospital

    Lawrence 4274277, Kansas 4273857 66044
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe

    Olathe 4276614, Kansas 4273857 66061
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park

    Overland Park 4276873, Kansas 4273857 66210
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus

    Overland Park 4276873, Kansas 4273857 66211
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mercy Hospital Pittsburg

    Pittsburg 4277241, Kansas 4273857 66762
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Salina Regional Health Center

    Salina 4278890, Kansas 4273857 67401
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus

    Topeka 4280539, Kansas 4273857 66606
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

    Westwood 4281639, Kansas 4273857 66205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center

    Lexington, Kentucky 40536
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center

    Lexington 4297983, Kentucky 6254925 40536
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • NCI - Center for Cancer Research

    Bethesda, Maryland 20892
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • NCI - Center for Cancer Research

    Bethesda 4348599, Maryland 4361885 20892
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute

    Detroit, Michigan 48201
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center

    Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute

    Detroit 4990729, Michigan 5001836 48201
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center

    Farmington Hills 4992523, Michigan 5001836 48334
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Truman Medical Centers

    Kansas City, Missouri 64108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University Health Truman Medical Center

    Kansas City, Missouri 64108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center - North

    Kansas City, Missouri 64154
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit

    Lee's Summit, Missouri 64064
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center at North Kansas City Hospital

    North Kansas City, Missouri 64116
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University Health Truman Medical Center

    Kansas City 4393217, Missouri 4398678 64108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center - North

    Kansas City 4393217, Missouri 4398678 64154
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit

    Lee's Summit 4394870, Missouri 4398678 64064
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center at North Kansas City Hospital

    North Kansas City 4400860, Missouri 4398678 64116
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Dartmouth Cancer Center

    Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Dartmouth Cancer Center

    Lebanon 5088597, New Hampshire 5090174 03756
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone

    New York, New York 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone

    New York 5128581, New York 5128638 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest University at Clemmons

    Clemmons, North Carolina 27012
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest Baptist Health - Hematology Oncology - Statesville

    Statesville, North Carolina 28677
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center

    Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest University at Clemmons

    Clemmons 4461015, North Carolina 4482348 27012
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest Baptist Health - Hematology Oncology - Statesville

    Statesville 4493316, North Carolina 4482348 28677
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center

    Wilkesboro 4499138, North Carolina 4482348 28659
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences

    Winston-Salem 4499612, North Carolina 4482348 27157
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)

    Pittsburgh 5206379, Pennsylvania 6254927 15232
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Parkland Memorial Hospital

    Dallas, Texas 75235
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UT Southwestern/Simmons Cancer Center-Dallas

    Dallas, Texas 75390
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Parkland Memorial Hospital

    Dallas 4684888, Texas 4736286 75235
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UT Southwestern/Simmons Cancer Center-Dallas

    Dallas 4684888, Texas 4736286 75390
    United States

    Site Not Available

Map preview placeholder

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.