Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine TumorPhase 4SAUNANCT05701241
Continuing Somatostatin Analogues Upon Progression in Neuroendocrine Tumour pAtients
A Phase 4 study testing Somatostatin analog in people with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, run by University Hospital, Antwerp at 19 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
The SAUNA trial is a multi-national, multi-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled, pragmatic clinical trial in patients with advanced, non-functional gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NET) with progressive disease on first-line therapy with somatostatine analogues (SSA). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
- What is being tested?
- Somatostatin analog
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 270 participants
- Where
- 19 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 28 Jun 2023to Apr 2034
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥18 years
- Written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2,
- Histologically-proven diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic, non-functional, well-differentiated World Health Organisation 2019 grade 1-2 GEP NET
- Documented radiological disease progression on first-line SSA treatment at label dose or higher
- For targeted therapy substudy: indication to start with either sunitinib or everolimus as second-line therapy, according to local investigator
- For PRRT substudy: indication to start with PRRT with Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide as second-line therapy, according to local investigator
Who cannot join
- Indication for chemotherapy treatment of GEP NET in second-line
- Presence of poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), well-differentiated grade 3 NET or rapidly progressive NET
- Prior treatment with everolimus, sunitinib or PRRT
- Contra-indication, proven allergy or other indication than functional NET for the use of a SSA
- Patient showing progressive disease while being on a lower than the registered dose
- Functional NET, defined as the presence of clinical and biochemical evidence of a hormonal NET-related syndrome
Show all 10Show fewer
- Patient undergoing palliative, systemic oncological treatment for other malignancy than GEP NET
- Concurrent anti-cancer treatment in another investigational trial
- Any abnormal findings at screening, clinical finding, including psychiatric and behavioural problems, or any other medical condition(s) or laboratory findings that, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize the patient's safety or decrease the chance of obtaining satisfactory data needed to achieve the objective(s) of the study
- Pregnant or lactating patient at screening or if the patient wishes to get pregnant during treatment phase of the trial
Trial locations and contacts
19 sites in 2 countries. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Timon Vandamme, MD contact
19 sites in 2 countries
Belgium13 sites, 6 recruiting
- Not yet recruiting
AZ Monica
Antwerp
Luc Poelmans
- Active, not recruiting
GZA
Antwerp
- Withdrawn
Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen
Antwerp
- Recruiting
AZ Klina
Brasschaat, Antwerp
Wim Demey
- Recruiting
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Brussels
Ivan Borbath
- Active, not recruiting
H.U.B.
Brussels
- Active, not recruiting
Grand Hôpital de Charleroi
Charleroi, Hainaut
- Recruiting
Antwerp University Hospital
Edegem
Timon Vandamme, sauna@uza.be
- Active, not recruiting
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, East Flanders
- Recruiting
University Hospital Leuven
Leuven, Flemish Brabant
Chris Verslype
- Active, not recruiting
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sart Tilman
Liège
- Active, not recruiting
AZ Rivierenland
Rumst, Antwerp
- Recruiting
VITAZ
Sint-Niklaas, East-Flanders
Willem Lybaert
Netherlands6 sites, 4 recruiting
- Active, not recruiting
Amsterdam UMC
Amsterdam, North Holland
- Recruiting
Rijnstate
Arnhem, Gelderland
Theo Van Voorthuizen
- Active, not recruiting
Maxima Medisch Centrum
Eindhoven, North Brabant
- Recruiting
UMC Groningen
Groningen
Annemiek Walenkamp
- Recruiting
Maastricht UMC+
Maastricht, Limburg
Loes Latten-Jansen
- Recruiting
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam
Hans Hofland
About this study
Official title: Continuing Somatostatin Analogues Upon Progression in Neuroendocrine Tumour pAtients - The SAUNA Trial
The SAUNA trial is a multi-national, multi-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled, pragmatic clinical trial in patients with advanced, non-functional gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NET) with progressive disease on first-line therapy with somatostatine analogues (SSA). Eligible patients will be divided into two substudies according to the second-line therapy of choice (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or targeted therapy, at the discretion of the local investigator). Patients within each substudy will be randomised 1:1 between continuation or withdrawal from SSA at the start of second-line systemic therapy. Stratification will occur according to study site and according to the Ki67 value (below 10% (grade 1 and low grade 2) and equal to or above 10% (high grade 2)).
- Being tested
- Somatostatin analog
- Keywords
- somatostatin analogues, neuroendocrine tumor
- Medical subject headings
- Gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, Neuroendocrine Tumors
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Somatostatin analogDrug
Also called lanreotide, octreotide, sandostatin, somatuline
Somatostatin analog treatment every 4 weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| somatostatin analogs continuation | Active comparator | Somatostatin analog (octreotide long-acting release (LAR) 30 mg or lanreotide 120 mg) will be given every four weeks for a duration of 18 months. Receives: Drug: Somatostatin analog |
| somatostatin analogs withdrawal | No intervention | Somatostatin analog treatment (octreotide LAR 30 mg or lanreotide 120 mg) will be withdrawn for a duration of 18 months. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
the difference in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients continuing or stopping second-line therapy with SSAs, as assessed by the blinded local investigator on cross-sectional imaging, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria per substudy
PFS
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
The difference in time to deterioration (TTD) in patients continuing or stopping second-line therapy with SSAs per substudy
TTD
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Secondary outcomes (12)
progression-free survival rate according to RECIST 1.1
PFS rate
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
The difference in a pooled progression-free survival of both substudies
PFS
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
The difference in a pooled time to deterioration of both substudies
TTD
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Overall survival (OS) per substudy and pooled over both substudies
OS
Measured: Time until death; assessed up to 5 years after treatment phase
Overall survival pooled over both substudies
OS
Measured: Time until death; assessed up to 5 years after treatment phase
Response rates (RR) per substudy
RR
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Response rates over both substudies
RR
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
QoL measurement with 30-item Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30)
Measured: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
QoL measurement with 21-item QoL questionnaire in the gut, pancreas and liver neuroendocrine tumours (QLQ-GINET21)
Measured: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
QoL measurement with EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Level questionnaire
Measured: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Cost-effectiveness
Health technology assessment (HTA) analysis
Measured: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Drug safety
Safety will be reported in terms of incidence and severity of (serious) adverse events
Measured: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2023
- Study start28 Jun 2023
- Primary completionApr 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2034 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine TumorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Hospital, AntwerpThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Antwerp
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Erasmus Medical Center, ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, Belgium Health Care Knowledge Centre
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Marc Peeters, MD, Principal investigator, University Hospital, Antwerp
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05701241
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EDGE 002337
- Acronym
- SAUNA
- Status last verified
- Apr 2024
- First submitted
- 5 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 14 Jun 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Chhajlani S, Kuiper J, Beutels P, Borbath I, Dercksen W, Deroose CM, Heemskerk S, Polinder S, Roelant E, Smits E, Verhaegen I, Van der Massen I, Walenkamp A, de Herder WW, Peeters M, Hofland J, Vandamme T; SAUNA investigators and the Dutch Belgian Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (DBNETS). Somatostatin analogue continuation upon progression in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (SAUNA trial): a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Jul 3;15(7):e099996. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099996.
PubMed 40615151
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jun 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Continuing Somatostatin Analogues Upon Progression in Neuroendocrine Tumour pAtients - The SAUNA Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05701241
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SAUNA / EDGE 002337
- Keywords
- somatostatin analogues, neuroendocrine tumor
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, AntwerpUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Erasmus Medical Center, ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, Belgium Health Care Knowledge Centre
- Study start
- 28 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Apr 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2034 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The SAUNA trial is a multi-national, multi-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled, pragmatic clinical trial in patients with advanced, non-functional gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NET) with progressive disease on first-line therapy with somatostatine analogues (SSA). Eligible patients will be divided into two substudies according to the second-line therapy of choice (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or targeted therapy, at the discretion of the local investigator). Patients within each substudy will be randomised 1:1 between continuation or withdrawal from SSA at the start of second-line systemic therapy. Stratification will occur according to study site and according to the Ki67 value (below 10% (grade 1 and low grade 2) and equal to or above 10% (high grade 2)).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| somatostatin analogs continuation | Active comparator | Drug: Somatostatin analogSomatostatin analog (octreotide long-acting release (LAR) 30 mg or lanreotide 120 mg) will be given every four weeks for a duration of 18 months. |
| somatostatin analogs withdrawal | No intervention | –Somatostatin analog treatment (octreotide LAR 30 mg or lanreotide 120 mg) will be withdrawn for a duration of 18 months. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Age ≥18 years
- Written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2,
- Histologically-proven diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic, non-functional, well-differentiated World Health Organisation 2019 grade 1-2 GEP NET
- Documented radiological disease progression on first-line SSA treatment at label dose or higher
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Indication for chemotherapy treatment of GEP NET in second-line
- Presence of poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), well-differentiated grade 3 NET or rapidly progressive NET
- Prior treatment with everolimus, sunitinib or PRRT
- Contra-indication, proven allergy or other indication than functional NET for the use of a SSA
- Patient showing progressive disease while being on a lower than the registered dose
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Somatostatin analogAlso: lanreotide, octreotide, sandostatin, somatulineSomatostatin analog treatment every 4 weeks | Drug | somatostatin analogs continuation |
Primary outcome
the difference in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients continuing or stopping second-line therapy with SSAs, as assessed by the blinded local investigator on cross-sectional imaging, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria per substudy
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
PFS
The difference in time to deterioration (TTD) in patients continuing or stopping second-line therapy with SSAs per substudy
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
TTD
12 secondary outcomes
progression-free survival rate according to RECIST 1.1
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
The difference in a pooled progression-free survival of both substudies
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
The difference in a pooled time to deterioration of both substudies
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Overall survival (OS) per substudy and pooled over both substudies
Time frame: Time until death; assessed up to 5 years after treatment phase
Overall survival pooled over both substudies
Time frame: Time until death; assessed up to 5 years after treatment phase
Response rates (RR) per substudy
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Response rates over both substudies
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
Time frame: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
Time frame: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Quality of life (QoL) measurement with questionnaire
Time frame: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Cost-effectiveness
Time frame: End of study (6.5 years after start second-line treatment)
Drug safety
Time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Jun 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40615151Chhajlani S, Kuiper J, Beutels P, Borbath I, Dercksen W, Deroose CM, Heemskerk S, Polinder S, Roelant E, Smits E, Verhaegen I, Van der Massen I, Walenkamp A, de Herder WW, Peeters M, Hofland J, Vandamme T; SAUNA investigators and the Dutch Belgian Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (DBNETS). Somatostatin analogue continuation upon progression in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (SAUNA trial): a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Jul 3;15(7):e099996. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099996.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Timon Vandamme, MD contact
Marc Peeters, MD principal investigator
University Hospital, Antwerp
19 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Somatostatin analog in people with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, run by University Hospital, Antwerp at 19 sites in 2 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jun 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 19 sites in Belgium, Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Marc U Peeters, MD (03821 ext. 4366, sauna@uza.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
the difference in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients continuing or stopping second-line therapy with SSAs, as assessed by the blinded local investigator on cross-sectional imaging, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria per substudy (time frame: 18 months after start second-line treatment). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05701241, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jun 2024.