Metarrestin (ML-246) in Subjects With Metastatic Solid Tumors

Q: Who can participate in NCT04222413?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

Q: How do I contact the trial site for NCT04222413?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Q: Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Q: Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

First-in-Human Phase I Trial to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Biological and Clinical Activity of Metarrestin (ML-246) in Subjects With Metastatic Solid Tumors

Metarrestin (ML-246) in Subjects With Metastatic Solid Tumors (NCT04222413) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Advanced Solid Tumors and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

About This Trial

Background: Metastasis is the spread of cancer from one organ to a nonadjacent organ. It causes 90% of cancer deaths. No treatment specifically prevents or reduces metastasis. Researchers hope a new drug can help. It stops cancer cells from growing and spreading further and possibly shrink cancer lesions in distant organs. Objective: To find a safe dose of metarrestin and to see if this dose shrinks tumors. Eligibility: Adults age 18 and older with pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, or a solid tumor that has not been cured by standard therapies. Also, children age 12-17 with a solid tumor (other than a muscle tumor) with no standard therapy options. Design: Participants will be screened with: * blood tests * physical exam * documentation of disease confirmation or tumor biopsy * electrocardiogram to evaluate the heart * review of their medicines and their ability to do their normal activities Participants will take metarrestin by mouth until they cannot tolerate it or stop to benefit from it. They will keep a medicine diary. Participants will visit the Clinical Center. During the first month there are two brief hospital stays required with visits weekly or every other week thereafter. They will repeat some of the screening tests. They will fill out questionnaires. They will have tests of their cognitive function. They will have an electroencephalogram to record brain activity. They will have a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A CT is a series of X-rays of the body. An MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the body. Adult participants may have tumor biopsies. Participants will have a follow-up visit 30 days after treatment ends. Then they will have follow-up phone calls or emails every 6 months for the rest of their life or until the study ends.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Advanced Solid Tumors, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 116 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Advanced Solid Tumors subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

* Who May Qualify: - Adult (\>= 18 years) subjects with: - diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) solid tumors (Phase IA). OR --diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) pancreatic, colorectal, or breast cancer (Phase IB) OR - Pediatric (\>=12 and \< 18 years) subjects with diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) solid tumors other than rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) including embryonal, alveolar, spindle cell/sclerosing and pleomorphic subtypes of RMS (Phase IB). - Subjects must have disease that: - is not amenable to potentially curative resection, - spread at least to one other organ system other than primary tumor or recurred after removal of primary tumor - has site measurable per RECIST 1.1 - progressed on or after at least one line of standard systemic chemotherapy (Phase IA and IB1) - have no standard therapy option available (Phase IB2) - Patients must have recovered from any acute toxicity related to prior therapy or surgery or disease to a grade 1 or less. - Performance status --Karnofsky \>= 70% (for patients \>= 16 years old), Lansky \>= 70% (for patients \<16 years old) - Adequate hematological function defined by: - absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1.0 x 10(9)/L, - transfusion-independent platelet count \>= 100 x 10(9)/L, - Hgb \>= 9 g/ dL (patients who have received \<= 2 PRBC transfusions within 48 hours are eligible) - Adequate coagulation as defined by: --INR\<1.5 (or \< 3.0 if subjects are currently taking anticoagulated medications) Note: increase of the upper limit of INR is restricted only to subjects who are receiving anticoagulation for medical reasons (DVT/PE prophylaxis, treatment for a thromboembolic event) and have increased INR because of these medications. Patients who have an elevated INR due to compromised liver function or any other medical conditions remain excluded - Adequate hepatic function defined by: ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Adult (\>= 18 years) subjects with: * histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumors (Phase IA). OR --histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic, colorectal, or breast cancer (Phase IB) OR * Pediatric (\>=12 and \< 18 years) subjects with histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumors other than rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) including embryonal, alveolar, spindle cell/sclerosing and pleomorphic subtypes of RMS (Phase IB). * Subjects must have disease that: * is not amenable to potentially curative resection, * spread at least to one other organ system other than primary tumor or recurred after removal of primary tumor * has site measurable per RECIST 1.1 * progressed on or after at least one line of standard systemic chemotherapy (Phase IA and IB1) * have no standard therapy option available (Phase IB2) * Patients must have recovered from any acute toxicity related to prior therapy or surgery or disease to a grade 1 or less. * Performance status --Karnofsky \>= 70% (for patients \>= 16 years old), Lansky \>= 70% (for patients \<16 years old) * Adequate hematological function defined by: * absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1.0 x 10(9)/L, * transfusion-independent platelet count \>= 100 x 10(9)/L, * Hgb \>= 9 g/ dL (patients who have received \<= 2 PRBC transfusions within 48 hours are eligible) * Adequate coagulation as defined by: --INR\<1.5 (or \< 3.0 if subjects are currently taking anticoagulated medications) Note: increase of the upper limit of INR is restricted only to subjects who are receiving anticoagulation for medical reasons (DVT/PE prophylaxis, treatment for a thromboembolic event) and have increased INR because of these medications. Patients who have an elevated INR due to compromised liver function or any other medical conditions remain excluded * Adequate hepatic function defined by: * a total bilirubin level \<= 1.5 x ULN, (total bilirubin \<= 2.0 x ULN in case of prior diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome) * an AST level \<= 3xULN * an ALT level \<= 3 xULN * Adequate renal function defined by: * Creatinine OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) (eGFR may also be used in place of CrCl) ---\< 1.5x institution upper limit of normal OR ---\>= 45 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for participant with creatinine levels \>= 1.5 X institutional ULN * Creatinine clearance (CrCl) or eGFR should be calculated per institutional standard. * The effects of the study treatment on the developing human fetus are unknown; thus, individuals of childbearing potential and individuals who can father children must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study therapy and up to 120 days after the last dose of the study drug. * Nursing participants must be willing to discontinue nursing at the time of the study treatment initiation. * Weight \>= 35 kg. * Ability of subject or parent/guardian to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. * Subjects must have lesion(s) accessible for biopsy (other than used for measurement of disease) and be willing to undergo mandatory study biopsies (Cohort IB1 only). * Ability to swallow oral capsules. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Anticancer treatment within designated period before treatment initiation including: * minor surgical procedure (such as biliary stenting) within 14 days. Note: if liver function tests after biliary stenting or renal function tests after ureteral stenting return to normal, within 5 days after biliary or ureteral stenting; * major surgical procedure or curative radiation treatment within 28 days; * palliative radiation treatment within 14 days; * chemotherapy or experimental drug treatment with published half-life known to be 72 hours or less within 14 days; * experimental drug treatment with unpublished or half-life greater than 72 hours within 28 days; * chemotherapy regimen containing an alkylating antineoplastic agent (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, or ifosfamide), alkylating-like (platinumbased chemotherapeutic drugs, platinum analogues), and non-classical alkylating agent (dacarbazine, temozolomide) within 28 days. * Patients receiving any medications or substances that are moderate and strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 and are not able to safely stop these medications are excluded from this study; patients must stop strong CYP3A4 inhibiting/inducing medications within 5 published half-lives and moderate within 3 published half-lives prior to the treatment initiation. Note: dihydropyridine calcium - channel blockers are permitted for management of underling disease * Subjects with cardiomyopathy diagnosed within 6 months prior to treatment initiation including but not limited to the following: * hypertrophic cardiomyopathy * arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy * abnormal ejection fraction (echocardiogram \[ECHO\]) \<= 53% (if a range is given then the upper value of the range will be used) * previous moderate or severe impairment of left ventricular systolic function (LVEF \<45%) * severe valvular heart disease * atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate \>100 bpm on EKG at rest * Fridericia's corrected QT interval (QTcF) \>= 480 msec (adults) or \>= 460 msec (pediatric subjects, aged 12 to \<18 years) or other factors that increase the risk of QT prolongation or arrhythmic events (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of long QT interval syndrome. * HIV, HCV, HBV positive patients on antiviral drugs are excluded due to the absence of previous experience with concurrent use of antiviral medications and the investigational drug product to be evaluated in the current study and possible for adverse pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interactions. * Previous malignant disease (other than the target malignancy to be investigated in this trial) within the last 3 years. Note: subjects with a history of cervical carcinoma in situ, superficial or non-invasive bladder cancer, or basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma in situ previously treated with curative intent are NOT excluded. * Rapidly progressive disease which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may predispose to inability to tolerate treatment or trial procedures. * Subjects with central nervous system (CNS) metastases or CNS disorders known to increase possible neurotoxicity of metarrestin in case of compromised blood-brain barrier (e.g. recent stroke (\<3 months of treatment initiation), infectious causes). * Significant acute or chronic infections including tuberculosis with presence of clinical symptoms or physical findings. * Patients with a history of any seizures or increased risk of seizures on screening EEGs defined by 1) interictal epileptiform discharges, 2) temporal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (TIRDA), or 3) electrographic or clinical seizures on EEG. * Clinically relevant diseases (for example, inflammatory bowel disease) and / or uncontrolled medical conditions, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, might impair the subject's tolerance or ability to participate in the trial. * Patients with previous gastric bypass, patients receiving nutrition via feeding tubes or parenterally, or patients with malabsorptive conditions (damage to the intestine from infection, inflammation, trauma, or surgery, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, or cystic fibrosis resulting malabsorption). Patients with refractory nausea and vomiting. Note: patients with gastric banding are allowed. * Pregnant individuals.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Metarrestin

Phase IA: Loading dose on Day 1 of Cycle 1 for Dose Levels 1-7. Loading dose on Days 1 and 3 of Cycle 1 for Dose Levels 8-11. After the loading dose on Day 1 or Days 1 and 3 of Cycle 1, continue on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays of every following cycle. Phase IB: PO according to the dose and schedule estimated during Phase IA

Locations (2)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

University of Kansas

Fairway, Kansas, United States

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04222413), the sponsor (National Cancer Institute (NCI)), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04222413 clinical trial studying?

Who can participate in NCT04222413?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04222413?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04222413. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04222413. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.