← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting Phase 1 NCT06648434

NCT06648434 MK2 Inhibitor in Combination With mFOLFIRINOX for Untreated Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06648434
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 1
Sponsor Washington University School of Medicine
Condition Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 51 participants
Start Date 2025-06-13
Primary Completion 2027-06-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
ZunsemetinibmFOLFIRINOX

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 51 participants in total. It began in 2025-06-13 with a primary completion date of 2027-06-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The investigators hypothesize that MK2 inhibition may improve efficacy of mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with no prior systemic treatment for advanced or metastatic disease. Patients with mixed cytology in their tumors such as adeno-squamous, mixed neuroendocrine-carcinoma are permitted if the portion of adenocarcinoma is predominant. Prior adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy (including FOLFIRINOX or mFOLFIRINOX regimens) is allowed if progression occurred ≥ 12 months from the last dose of that therapy. A biopsy is not required to confirm advanced or metastatic disease. * Dose escalation: Diagnosis of advanced inoperable or metastatic disease, where mFOLFIRINOX (or classical FOLFIRINOX) is deemed a suitable option per the treating physician. * Dose expansion: Diagnosis of metastatic disease, where mFOLFIRINOX (or classical FOLFIRINOX) is deemed a suitable option per the treating physician. * Measurable disease by RECIST 1.1. * At least 18 years of age * ECOG performance status ≤ 1. * Adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined below: * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 K/cumm * Platelets ≥ 100 K/cumm without transfusion within 2 weeks prior to C1D1 * Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL without transfusion within 2 weeks prior to C1D1 * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x IULN * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3.0 x IULN, unless there are liver metastases in which case AST and ALT ≤ 5.0 x IULN * Creatinine clearance \> 50 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault * Baseline EKG with QTcF ≤ 460 ms. * Women of childbearing potential and men who are heterosexually active must agree to use adequate contraception as specified in the protocol. Contraception should continue for 1 month following last dose of zunsemetinib, 6 months following last dose of irinotecan, 9 months following last dose of oxaliplatin, and/or 3 months following last dose of fluorouracil. Should a woman (or the female partner of a male participant) become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must inform her treating physician immediately. * Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable). Exclusion Criteria: * A history of other malignancy with the exception of 1) malignancies for which all treatment was completed at least 2 years before registration and the patient has no evidence of disease; 2) or known indolent malignancies that do not require treatment and will likely not alter the course of treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. * History of allogeneic organ or stem cell transplant. * Currently receiving any other investigational agents, or receipt of an investigational agent within 2 weeks or 5 half-lives of the agent, whichever is shorter. * Receipt of strong and moderate CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 inhibitors (including grapefruit), strong and moderate CYP3A and CYP2C8 inducers (see Appendices H and I), and drugs with QT prolonging potential within 5 half-lives of cycle 1 day 1. * Known brain metastases or CNS involvement, because brain metastases are often associated with poor functional status, shortened life expectancy and risk of toxicity. * A history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to zunsemetinib, or other agents used in the study. * Clinically significant neuropathy ≥ grade 2. * Presence of interstitial lung disease that is symptomatic or may interfere with the detection or management of suspected treatment-related pulmonary toxicity. * Gastrointestinal conditions which could prevent absorption of zunsemetinib, in the opinion of the treating physician. * Inability to swallow pills. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmia . * Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days of C1D1. * Patients with HIV are eligible unless their CD4+ T-cell counts are \< 350 cells/mcL or they have a history of AIDS-defining opportunistic infection within the 12 months prior to registration. Concurrent treatment with effective ART according to DHHS treatment guidelines is recommended. * Major surgery within 28 days prior to C1D1. Major surgery refers to any surgical procedure that involves general or regional anesthesia, involves extensive resecting or altering of body parts, carries a higher risk of complications, or requires long recovery times. Central line placement is allowed. * Use of any live vaccines against infectious diseases (eg, influenza, varicella) within 4 weeks (28 days) of C1D1.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Moh'd Khushman, M.D.

✉ mkhushman@wustl.edu

📞 314-273-3564

Principal Investigator

Moh'd Khushman, M.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Washington University School of Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06648434 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06648434 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT06648434 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06648434 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at mkhushman@wustl.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06648434 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at St Louis, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06648434 clinical trial?

NCT06648434 is sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine. The principal investigator is Moh'd Khushman, M.D. at Washington University School of Medicine. The trial plans to enroll 51 participants.

Related Trials

ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology