Enrollment for a Phase 2 clinical trial we’re supporting, which is evaluating the combination of pemetrexed, a chemotherapy drug, and pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, is ongoing at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. The aim of the study is to learn whether using these therapies together can improve outcomes for chordoma patients.
Early results presented last month at the International Chordoma Research Workshop are encouraging: tumors have shown response in most chordoma patients treated so far.
We supported this trial following promising results from an earlier CF-supported study of pemetrexed alone that showed tumor shrinkage in most participants, along with improvements in symptoms, as well as a Phase 2 study of pembrolizumab that included chordoma patients.
The current trial is open to all chordoma patients with progressive disease who meet the participation criteria. Patients outside the United States are eligible to join, but all participants must be able to travel to the trial site in Santa Monica for required visits. We encourage patients who are interested in this trial to talk with their doctors about whether it could be an appropriate option.
To learn more, view the trial details or contact a Chordoma Foundation Patient Navigator.
Financial assistance for trial participation
Travel costs can make clinical trial participation difficult. Our Clinical Trial Assistance Program (CTAP) provides eligible patients participating in this trial with up to $1,000 per month toward travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals. The program is open to patients anywhere in the world, and assistance is subject to eligibility requirements and available funding. Our Patient Navigators can help you understand the program and how to apply.
Help exploring drug therapy options
For patients and doctors considering treatments for advanced or metastatic chordoma, our drug therapy list brings together information about treatment options, the evidence supporting their use, and current clinical trials studying them. An interactive map helps you locate trial sites.
You don’t have to sort through these options on your own. Our Patient Navigators offer free, personalized support to help patients and caregivers understand treatment options, prepare for conversations with their care teams, and navigate trial participation and other challenges associated with chordoma care.