Photo: Dr. Mrinal Gounder, Principal Investigator of ERAS-601 trial
We're happy to share that a new clinical trial we're supporting has opened at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, evaluating the experimental drug ERAS-601 in patients with advanced chordoma. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Mrinal Gounder, this Phase 1b/2 trial builds on promising findings from a Phase 1 study last year, where nearly all chordoma patients who received ERAS-601 by itself or in combination with cetuximab experienced some tumor shrinkage.
ERAS-601, which is being developed by the company Erasca, works by inhibiting SHP2 — a therapeutic target for chordoma identified through our partnership with the Schreiber Lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and validated by scientists in Chordoma Foundation Labs. This trial represents another exciting example of our ability to rapidly translate discoveries from the lab to patients, made possible by CF Labs and our partners and donors.
This is one of several clinical trials that recently opened to chordoma patients. Other key trials enrolling include:
- Cetuximab at MD Anderson Cancer Center (⏰ almost full!)
- PYX-201 at multiple sites
- Pemetrexed + pembrolizumab at Saint John's Cancer Institute
Chordoma patients and caregivers seeking guidance with trial options can contact an experienced Patient Navigator for one-on-one support.
Financial assistance is available to travel to trial sites, and our Patient Navigators can help patients and caregivers access that, too!
Finally, here's another opportunity for patients and family members: Whether or not you’ve participated in a clinical trial before, you can help shape future clinical trials right now by completing our brief clinical trial preferences survey. Your perspective will have a big impact on the future of chordoma care!