i-Base

SCART study: selumetinib as potential treatment for HIV-related KS

18 April 2014. Related: News.

SCART is a UK study for HIV-related Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS). It uses an experimental cancer drug called selumetinib.

KS is a type of cancer that is more common in HIV positive people although it is much less common now that HIV treatment is available.

This study is for people who are already on HIV antiretroviral treatment.

Selumetinib is a new type of drug called a MEK inhibitor that is in large clinical (phase 3) studies for other types of cancer. It works by stopping the action of a protein called MEK which sends signals to cells telling them to divide. Preventing MEK from working may also stop cancer cells from growing.

SCART is classed as an earlier stage study (phase 2) because there is less information on the use to treat KS. Phase 1 of the study was used to decide the best dose and to check  for any early safety concerns in HIV positive people.

Phase 2 is now looking at how effectively KS responds to treatment in 25 people with HIV-related KS that has become worse during the last six months. Selumetinib is dosed at 75 mg twice-daily (2 x 3 tablets per day, totalling 6 tablets per day). The study involves safety and monitoring visits to the hospital every 21 days.

Study sites

The SCART study is being run at five UK hospitals.

  • Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield
  • Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London
  • Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
  • The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow
  • Christie Hospital, Manchester

More detailed information is listed on clinicaltrials.com:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01752569

and on the UK trial listing:
http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=11876

For further information or enquiries about the SCART trial please contact:
SCART@contacts.bham.ac.uk

The Coordinating Centre for SCART is the Cancer Research Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), University of Birmingham.

This trial is supported by AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK, Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN), Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham.