🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-03-13

Phase 2 Study of Alisertib Therapy for Rhabdoid Tumors (NCT02114229)

Phase 2 Study of Alisertib as a Single Agent in Recurrent or Progressive Central Nervous System (CNS) Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors (AT/RT) and Extra-CNS Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors (MRT) and in Combination Therapy in Newly Diagnosed AT/RT

🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Phase2 💊 Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This study incorporates alisertib, the small-molecule inhibitor of Aurora A activity, in the treatment of patients younger than 22 years of age. Patients with recurrent or refractory AT/RT or MRT will receive alisertib as a single agent. Patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT will receive alisertib as part of age- and risk-adapted chemotherapy. Radiation therapy will be given to children ≥12 months of age. Patients with AT/RT and concurrent extra-CNS MRT are eligible. Alisertib will be administered as a single agent on days 1-7 of each 21-day cycle in all recurrent patients enrolled on Stratum A. For the patients on the newly diagnosed strata (B, C or D), alisertib will be administered in sequence with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This study has 3 primary strata: (A) children with recurrent/progressive AT/RT or extra-CNS MRT, (B) children \< 36 months-old with newly diagnosed AT/RT, (C) children \> 36 months old with newly diagnosed AT/RT. Children with concurrent MRT will be treated according to age and risk stratification schemes outlined for strata B and C and will have additional treatment for local control. Children with synchronous AT/RT will be treated with age and CNS risk-appropriate therapy, and also receive surgery and/or radiation therapy for local control of the non-CNS tumor. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES * To estimate the sustained objective response rate and disease stabilization in pediatric patients with recurrent or progressive AT/RT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in the CNS) (Stratum A1) treated with alisertib and to determine if the response is sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To estimate the sustained objective response rate and disease stabilization in pediatric patients with recurrent or progressive extra-CNS MRT (malignant rhabdoid tumor outside the CNS) (Stratum A2) treated with alisertib and to determine if the response is sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To estimate the 3-year PFS rate of patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT who are younger than 36 months of age at diagnosis with no metastatic disease (Stratum B1) treated with alisertib in sequence with induction and consolidation chemotherapy and radiation therapy (depending on age) and to determine if the rates are sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To estimate the 1-year PFS rate of patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT who are younger than 36 months of age at diagnosis, with metastatic disease (Stratum B2) treated with alisertib in sequence with induction and consolidation chemotherapy and to determine if the rates are sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To estimate the 3-year PFS rate of patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT who are 3 years of age or greater at diagnosis with no metastatic disease and gross total resection or near total resection (Stratum C1) treated with alisertib in sequence with radiation therapy and consolidation chemotherapy and to determine if the rates are sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To estimate the 1-year PFS rate of patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT who are 3 years of age or greater at diagnosis with metastatic or residual disease (Stratum C2) treated with alisertib in sequence with radiation therapy and consolidation chemotherapy and to determine if the rates are sufficient to merit continued investigation of alisertib in this population. * To characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alisertib in pediatric patients and to relate drug disposition to toxicity. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES * To estimate the duration of objective response and PFS in patients with recurrent/progressive AT/RT and MRT (Strata A1 and A2). * To estimate PFS and OS distributions in patients with newly diagnosed AT/RT (Strata B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2). * To describe toxicities experienced by patients treated on this trial, specifically any toxicities of alisertib when administered as a single agent or in combination with other therapy over multiple courses and toxicities related to proton or photon radiation therapy. * To describe the patterns of local and distant failure in newly diagnosed patients (Strata B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2). Local control relative to primary-site radiation therapy, with criteria for infield, marginal, or distant failure will also be reported descriptively.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (27 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (12 items).

Location: Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center — Palo Alto, California

Age range: Not specified to 21 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA for All Strata Except Stratum P:
  • Clinically significant medical disorders that could compromise the ability to tolerate protocol therapy or that would interfere with the study procedures or results history.
  • Presence of an active, uncontrolled infection.
  • Known history of uncontrolled sleep apnea syndrome or other conditions that could result in excessive daytime sleepiness, such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or a requirement for supplemental oxygen.
  • Requirement for constant administration of proton-pump inhibitor, H2 antagonist, or pancreatic enzymes. Intermittent uses of antacids or H2 antagonists are allowed while patients are on dexamethasone as described in the protocol.
  • Inability to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study, as judged by the investigator.
  • Female participants of childbearing potential cannot be pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Patients who are receiving other investigational drugs 14 or fewer days before enrollment.
  • Treatment with clinically significant enzyme inducers, such as the enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbital, or with rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, or St. John's wort within 7 days prior to initiation of alisertib.
  • Known gastrointestinal disease or procedures that could interfere with the oral absorption or tolerance of alisertib. Examples include, but are not limited to partial gastrectomy, history of small intestine surgery, and celiac disease.
  • Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to enrollment or New York Heart Association Class III or IV heart failure, uncontrolled angina, severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias, or electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemia or active conduction system abnormalities. If for some reason an electrocardiogram is obtained before study enrollment, any abnormalities detected should be documented as clinically irrelevant.
  • Other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition, including uncontrolled diabetes, malabsorption, resection of the pancreas or upper small-bowel, or requirement for pancreatic enzymes, any condition that would modify the absorption of oral medications in the small bowel or any laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk associated with study participation or investigational product administration or that may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for enrollment in this study.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (9 Sites)

  • Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center — Palo Alto, California
  • Rady Children's Hospital — San Diego, California
  • Children's Hospital Colorado — Aurora, Colorado
  • Children's National Medical Center — Washington D.C., District of Columbia
  • UF Cancer Center at Orlando Health — Orlando, Florida
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta — Atlanta, Georgia
  • Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memphis, Tennessee
  • Texas Children's Hospital — Houston, Texas

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
  • 💵 Compensation indicated: In addition, patients may receive irradiation according to best clinical management for local control of extra-CNS disease.

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💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗