Targeting NUDT21 siRNA Drugs for Patients With Refractory Retinoblastoma
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseEarly Phase 1
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age6+
SponsorEye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University
About this trial
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy in children, accounting for approximately 11% of all cancers diagnosed in children under the age of one. Although its incidence is relatively low-about 1 in 15,000 to 20,000 live births-RB has a high risk of intracranial metastasis via the optic nerve, often leading to poor prognosis in advanced cases.
Recent advances in administration routes, such as intravitreal and intra-arterial chemotherapy, have significantly improved eye preservation rates. However, these strategies are limited by cumulative retinal toxicity and drug resistance. In refractory cases, enucleation remains the only definitive treatment to prevent extraocular spread and death.
In light of these challenges, current research efforts are focused on developing novel targeted therapies that enhance anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing local toxicity. In this context, we introduce a first-in-class siRNA-based drug targeting NUDT21, which promotes tumor regression by modulating the 3'UTR tail of SMC1A, thereby suppressing tumor cell proliferation. Importantly, the siRNA drug selectively targets tumor cells, offering a favorable safety profile compared to conventional chemotherapeutic regimens.
Given that both the target (NUDT21) and the mode of administration (intraocular siRNA injection) are novel in retinoblastoma treatment, there is an urgent need for early-phase investigator-initiated clinical research. This study is therefore designed to assess the short-term safety and preliminary efficacy of NUDT21 siRNA in patients with refractory retinoblastoma, and to provide an evidence base for future large-scale clinical trials.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Patients with retinoblastoma with a somatic mutation of the gene RB1 and active tumor in a single eye, or germinal mutation of RB1 with active tumor/s in an eye and the contralateral eye unaffected, enucleated or without tumor activity. In both cases, relapsed or refractory with the use of systemic, intraarterial or intravitreal chemotherapy or radiotherapy, in accordance with the availability at his/her referral site, in whom enucleation is the only recommended treatment under opinion of the medical team treating the case at the originating referral site. But the patient has a strong desire to preserve the eye.
Normal renal function: serum creatinine: < 45 μmol/L (0-2 years); < 57 μmol/L (3-6 years); < 60 μmol/L (7-10 years); < 80 μmol/L (11-13 years).
Normal Hepatic function: serum ALT: < 0,52 μkat/L (de 9 months -12 years); serum AST: 61-80 g/L (8 months - 5 years); 63-83 g/L (5-9 years); 63-82 g/L (9-12 years).
Age greater than 6 months at the time of inclusion in the study.
Disqualifiers
Presence of factors that require immediate enucleation of the affected eye such as glaucoma, rubeosis iridis, anterior chamber involvement.
Comorbidities: Uncontrolled epilepsy with anticonvulsant treatment, cardiac disease not compensated by treatment.
Active Infections.
Other chronic or active acute diseases that under the criterion of the researcher were an exclusion criterion.
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Targeting NUDT21 siRNA drugs
DrugIt is performed for intravitreal chemotherapy.
Treatment groups
2 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Intravitreal chemotherapy in patients with refractory retinoblastomaExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are defined as any unfavorable or unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the administration of intravitreal siRNA therapy, whether or not considered related to the drug. Use CTCAE v5.0 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) for grading severity.
Time frame
6 monthsSecondary outcomes
1
Tumor size
Tumor size will be assessed by measuring tumor thickness (height) from the retinal surface to the apex of the lesion on optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. Serial OCT scans will be used to track tumor regression or progression over time. This outcome aims to assess anatomical response to treatment and provide imaging-based evidence of therapeutic efficacy.
Time frame
6 months2
Retinal function
Photopic flicker electroretinography (ERG) will be conducted in accordance with ISCEV standards, typically using a 30 Hz stimulus. The amplitude will be measured and compared pre- and post-treatment. This outcome will assess the potential impact of the investigational therapy on cone system integrity and retinal functional preservation.
Time frame
6 months3
Target engagement
We will measure the concentrations of NUDT21 and SMC1A proteins in aqueous humor samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and after treatment. This assessment will confirm pharmacodynamic target engagement of the NUDT21 siRNA therapy by evaluating changes in NUDT21 and downstream effector SMC1A expression levels.
Time frame
6 monthsSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University
Lead sponsor
The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov