Active Not RecruitingPhase 2 / Phase 3NCT03637816
Official study title

Anamorelin Hydrochloride in Reducing Anorexia in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Study summary

This phase II/III trial studies how well anamorelin hydrochloride works in reducing anorexia in patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other places in the body. Anamorelin hydrochloride may help to improve patients' appetite in order to stop weight loss.

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Key things to know

Main goalSupportive Care

This describes the study’s primary purpose.

What is being studiedAnamorelin Hydrochloride and Placebo

Plus 1 other study approaches.

Who it may be forNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) · Locally advanced · Metastatic or stage IV

These are broad labels—not an eligibility decision.

Checked against the public recordLast updated Oct 6, 2026 · Source: ClinicalTrials.gov

Is enrollment open?Active Not Recruiting

The study is underway but is not accepting new participants.

What kind of study?Phase 2 / Phase 3

Interventional

Where is it offered?1 U.S. location

Locations may change over time.

Who runs it?M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Study sponsor

01
Study overview

What this study is about

Purpose
Supportive Care
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2 / Phase 3
Sponsor
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Interventions being studied
Drug: Anamorelin Hydrochloride; Other: Placebo; Other: Questionnaire Administration
02
Explore related studies

How this study is categorized

These labels come from structured fields and exact terms in the public record.

03
Public criteria

Who may be able to participate

The sponsor separates these requirements into two groups. You do not need to interpret them alone—use them to guide a conversation with the study team.

Requirements people may need to meetInclusion criteria
  • Patients with a diagnosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer
  • Presence of anorexia, defined as =\< 37 points on FAACT A/CS domain (on a 0 to 48-point scale in which 0 = worst possible anorexia/cachexia)
  • Patients with a history of either: \>= 5% of weight loss for body mass index (BMI) \>= 20 kg/m\^2 or \>= 2% of weight loss for BMI \< 20 kg/m\^2, over a period of 1 year
  • Patients must be willing to keep a daily medication diary and engage in telephone follow up with research staff
  • Patients must have telephone access to allow contact by the research staff
  • Adequate hepatic function, defined as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels =\< 5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Life expectancy of \>= 6 months
Reasons someone may not be able to joinExclusion criteria
  • Major contraindication to anamorelin i.e. hypersensitivity
  • BMI \>= 28 kg/m\^2
  • Inability to complete the baseline assessment forms or to understand the recommendations for participation in the study
  • Pregnant or lactating women. Women of childbearing age not on birth control. For inclusion in the study, a negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential, as defined by intact uterus and at least one ovary, and a history of menses within the last 12 months is necessary. Pregnancy test is to be performed no greater than 14 days prior to consent in study. In cases of women with elevated b-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), these candidates will be eligible to participate so long as the level of b-HCG is not consistent with pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential must be on or use contraception during the study period. Their male partners must also use contraception (condom) or maintain abstinence. Birth control specifications: Women who are able to become pregnant must use birth control during the study and for 30 days after the last anamorelin dose. Acceptable forms of birth control include barrier methods (such as condom or diaphragm) with spermicide
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (fasting blood sugar \> 200 mg/dl) at screening
  • Patients on drugs with strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors within the previous two weeks (ketoconazole, clarithromycin, itraconazole, nefazodone, telithromycin)
  • Patients on drugs that may prolong the PR or QRS interval durations, such as any of the class I/sodium (Na+) channel blocking antiarrhythmic medications should be avoided (e.g. flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine)
  • Patients currently on investigational therapies will be evaluated by the principal investigator (PI) on a case by case basis and study participation approval will be obtained from the treating oncologist
  • Patient currently taking androgenic compounds (including but not limited to testosterone, testosterone-like agents, oxandrolone, megestrol acetate, methylphenidate, corticosteroids \[note: topical, inhaled, or oral corticosteroids taken for a short duration (=\< 5 consecutive days) after chemotherapy are acceptable\]), dronabinol or medical marijuana (medical cannabis) or any other prescription medication or off-label products intended to increase appetite or treat unintentional weight loss
  • Any relevant condition that would interfere with ability to participate in one-on-one interviews either in person or via telephone

Important: This is the sponsor’s public criteria, not a determination of eligibility. The study team must review your individual situation.

04
Study sites

U.S. locations

  • M D Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas

Source and freshness
Processed from ClinicalTrials.gov. Last public update: Oct 6, 2026. Always confirm current availability with the study team.

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