About CHONQUER

A clinical research study for people with locally advanced or metastatic conventional chondrosarcoma.

Why are we doing this study?

The CHONQUER study is a clinical research study focused on exploring a potential treatment for adults with locally advanced or metastatic conventional chondrosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma, or CS, is a group of bone tumours that are made up of cells that make too much cartilage. There are different types of chondrosarcoma and conventional chondrosarcoma is the most common type. Conventional chondrosarcoma is classified by its level of severity and specific location within the body. Many cases occur in the limbs such as legs or arms, but it can occur in the spine, at the base of the skull, ribs, collarbone and at other locations in the body. 

Currently, surgery is the most utilised treatment, but many patients experience the return of their disease after surgery. Additionally, these tumours can resist other therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, making new treatment options urgently needed.  

Chondrosarcoma is the most common type of bone sarcoma in adults, accounting for 85% to 90% of all cases. There is currently no approved treatment. Approximately 50% of conventional chondrosarcomas have an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation, which may play a role in disease progression. A mutation refers to a change in the genomic material of a cell, leading to the generation of a protein (a large, complex molecule) that is different compared to the protein in normal cells. Proteins are essential for the structure, function and regulation of the body's cells, tissues and organs. If IDH is mutated, it can lead to abnormal cellular processes that may contribute to the development of certain diseases, including cancers.

The CHONQUER study is evaluating an investigational study drug targeting the abnormal IDH1 protein. The investigational study drug may help manage the condition by targeting this gene mutation and potentially slowing tumour progression. Researchers aim to determine whether the study drug may be a safe and effective treatment for managing chondrosarcoma in adults. By participating, you may help advance understanding of this rare cancer and contribute to the development of a potential treatment option.

The CHONQUER study is looking for 136 participants across 14 to 16 different countries to participate in this study.

Watch this video of the leading physician of the study to understand more about the CHONQUER study and how it may help adults with chondrosarcoma:

Note to patients: A glossary explaining key terms from the video is available in the FAQs section.

What treatments will I receive?

Investigational treatment:
Participants in this group will receive the investigational study drug, which is taken as an oral pill once daily.

Placebo: Participants in this group will receive a placebo. A placebo looks like an investigational drug but does not contain any active medicine. Researchers use placebos to determine whether the investigational treatment works better than no treatment.

If you meet all the requirements to participate in the CHONQUER study, you will be placed in one of two groups randomly. This means you have an equal chance of being in either group. Neither you nor your doctor will know the group in which you are, which helps ensure the results are fair and reliable.

If the radiographic images show that the chondrosarcoma is getting worse in participants in this clinical trial, the researchers could unblind the study to determine if the participant received the medication or the placebo. If you received the placebo, you could be given the option to take the medication being studied and to proceed with the trial. If you were on the medication itself, the investigator will determine if you could still benefit by continuing the study treatment or not.

The medication being tested is called investigational because it has not been approved for use for adults with this specific disease outside of this clinical study.

How long is the study?

Prior to being included in this study, there is a period where your doctor will assess if all conditions needed to be included are met. Once you start on the treatment, you will continue with the treatment unless your disease worsens or too many side effects are encountered. After treatment ends, follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your health. The follow-up period involving regular check-ins may last for months or longer.

During the study, you will need to visit the study site multiple times. These visits include the initial screening (to assess through different medical examinations, such as ECG (which evaluates the electrical activity of the heart), several lab tests, radiographic scans, etc., if all criteria are met to allow participation in the study), receiving your study medication, and undergoing tests and procedures to track your progress. Early in the study, visits may occur more frequently (weekly in the first month), decreasing to once a month later in the treatment phase.

If you stop treatment early, the study team will ensure a safe transition and continue to monitor your health through follow-up visits or telephone calls. These visits are an important part of the study and provide valuable information, but participation in them is entirely voluntary. You may choose to stop these visits at any time.

What will the study involve?

As part of the CHONQUER study, you will receive regular checkups, just like going to your doctor for an annual checkup. Some of these tests and procedures will be more detailed than what you may have had before. These are some of the tests and procedures that you may have at some point in the study:

There may be other tests and procedures as part of the study. All of this will be explained in detail during the informed consent process, so you can ask questions and feel comfortable before participating.

What will happen if I do not want to continue with the study?

Participating in a clinical trial is always voluntary, meaning that you can stop at any time without consequences to your usual medical care.

We encourage you to carefully consider your participation and to talk with your family, caregivers, doctors and study team about taking part in this study. The study principal investigator and the clinical research team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding the details and your obligations in the study. 

What are the benefits and risks?

Your safety is our highest priority and your health will be closely monitored throughout your time in the CHONQUER study.  

The trial drug may cause side effects or affect your health in an unknown way. You may experience risks or discomfort when taking part in this study. A complete list of possible risks will be shared with you during the screening period. Some risks could be unknown or unexpected. It’s possible that your condition or health may get better, get worse or stay the same as a result of taking part in this study. 

Find a clinical site near you

If you are diagnosed with conventional chondrosarcoma and think you might be interested in taking part, or would like more information about the CHONQUER study, please contact the research team at a clinical site near you – they’ll be happy to speak with you.

Find your nearest clinical site.