New hope for tough colorectal cancer: experimental drug combo enters human testing

NCT ID NCT06102902

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial is testing whether adding an experimental drug called ZEN003694 to two approved cancer drugs (cetuximab and encorafenib) can help patients with a specific type of advanced colorectal cancer that has not responded to prior treatments. The study involves 30 adults whose cancer has spread and carries a BRAF V600E mutation. The main goals are to find the safest dose and check for side effects, while also looking at how long patients live without the cancer getting worse.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ZEN003694 (a BET protein inhibitor) combined with cetuximab and encorafenib

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for patients with a hard-to-treat form of colorectal cancer that has stopped responding to standard therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 30 participants, so it is primarily testing safety and dosing. The combination may cause significant side effects or fail to shrink tumors.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

colorectal adenocarcinoma colorectal cancer colorectal neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States

  • Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States

  • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

  • UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

  • UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

  • UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care

    Irvine, California, 92612, United States

  • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States

  • UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center

    Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States

  • University of Kansas Clinical Research Center

    Fairway, Kansas, 66205, United States

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus

    Overland Park, Kansas, 66211, United States

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

    Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States

  • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States

  • University of Virginia Cancer Center

    Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States

  • VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States