Phase 3 Lung Cancer Trial, Completed NCT03743064 Sponsor: Helsinn Healthcare SA Condition: Lung Cancer
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Trial results

AI generated results summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

According to the results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov, this trial enrolled 318 people in total — 154 received a daily 100 mg dose of a drug called anamorelin HCl, and 164 received a placebo (a dummy treatment with no active ingredient). The trial was looking at two main things over 12 weeks: whether participants' body weight changed, and whether their appetite-related symptoms changed, as measured by a short five-question survey about appetite and eating (called the 5-IASS, where higher scores mean fewer symptoms). The reported data shows that, on average, people in the anamorelin group had a mean body weight change of +1.82 kg over the 12 weeks, compared with +0.54 kg in the placebo group. For the appetite symptom score, the anamorelin group had an average improvement of 3.43 points, while the placebo group had an average improvement of 3.29 points. The reported data also shows some secondary measurements about how long participants maintained a weight change or symptom improvement. For body weight, the anamorelin group maintained a weight at or above their starting weight for an average of about 8.9 weeks, compared with about 6.8 weeks for the placebo group. For a more meaningful weight gain threshold of 1.5 kg or more, those figures were about 5.5 weeks versus 3.1 weeks respectively. For the appetite symptom score, the duration results were more similar between the two groups. These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov. They are not medical advice — always discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov, not medical advice. Verify independently with the trial site and discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

Phase 3 Lung Cancer Trial, Completed

NCT03743064
Completed Phase 3 🇦🇺 Australian site

Who may be able to join

AI generated eligibility summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

Who might be able to join this trial:

  • You must be willing and able to sign a consent form agreeing to take part in the study.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older (any gender).
  • You must have been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is either Stage III (and cannot be removed by surgery) or Stage IV, confirmed by a tissue or cell sample.
  • You must have a low body weight (BMI under 20) and have lost more than 2% of your body weight without trying in the past 6 months.
  • You must be experiencing ongoing problems with appetite or eating related to your cancer, as measured by specific questionnaire scores (confirm with trial site).
  • You may be currently receiving cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy) or not receiving treatment at the time of screening — both situations may be eligible under certain conditions.
  • Your general physical ability to carry out daily activities must fall within an acceptable range on a standard scale (ECOG score of 0, 1, or 2 — confirm with trial site).
  • Your liver function tests must be within acceptable limits based on a blood test.
  • Your kidneys must be functioning adequately, based on blood test results.
  • If you are a woman who could become pregnant, you must use reliable contraception and have a negative pregnancy test within 24 hours before your first dose; women who cannot become pregnant (e.g., post-menopausal for at least 1 year, or surgically sterilised) are also eligible.
  • You must be willing and able to follow all study procedures and attend required visits.

Who may not be able to join:

  • People who have a different type of lung cancer, such as small cell lung cancer or neuroendocrine tumours.
  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • People whose reduced appetite or eating is due to a treatable or reversible cause, such as severe mouth sores, serious digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation), physical blockages preventing eating, or severe depression.
  • People who have had major surgery within 4 weeks before joining the study, or who plan to have major surgery during the study period.
  • People currently taking certain medications or supplements intended to increase appetite or cause weight gain, including testosterone, steroids, megestrol acetate, olanzapine, dronabinol, marijuana/cannabis, or similar products (note: long-term use of mirtazapine for depression for at least 4 weeks before screening may be allowed — confirm with trial site).
  • People with fluid build-up around the lungs or heart requiring drainage, significant swelling, or fluid in the abdomen.
  • People with serious or uncontrolled heart conditions, including a recent heart attack (within 3 months), certain types of irregular heart rhythms, unstable chest pain, severe heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a very slow heart rate with symptoms.
  • People taking certain heart rhythm medications that affect how electrical signals travel through the heart (Class I antiarrhythmics — confirm with trial site).
  • People who are unable to swallow tablets.
  • People with severe digestive system diseases such as serious inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach, or problems absorbing nutrients.
  • People who have had their stomach surgically removed.
  • People with diabetes that is not well controlled or not being monitored.
  • People whose weight loss is caused by other serious conditions, such as severe chronic lung disease requiring home oxygen, severe heart failure, AIDS, or uncontrolled thyroid disease.
  • People who have taken certain strong medications that affect how the body processes drugs (strong CYP3A4 inhibitors) within 14 days before joining the study (confirm with trial site).
  • People currently receiving feeding through a tube or directly into a vein (parenteral nutrition).
  • People with current excessive alcohol use or use of illicit drugs.
  • People with any other condition that the study doctor believes would make participation unsafe or affect the study results.
  • People who have previously taken part in a study involving anamorelin HCl (the drug being studied).
  • People currently taking another experimental treatment, or who have taken one within 28 days before the study start.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.

Based on publicly available eligibility criteria from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before acting. This is not medical advice.

This is a simplified plain English summary of the eligibility criteria. Full criteria are set by the trial investigators and may include additional requirements not shown here. Never self-exclude from a trial based on this summary. Contact the trial site directly to confirm your eligibility.
Last synced 5 July 2026
Phase 3: approximately ~65% of drugs entering this phase reach regulatory approval, based on published industry-wide historical data. This is not specific to this trial.
Phase success rates shown are historical industry-wide averages based on published data. They are not a prediction for this specific trial or your individual situation.

Contact this trial

Australian sites

Calvary Central Districts Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia
Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park,
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy,
Barwon Health, The McKellar Centre, North Geelong,
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville,
Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport,

Contact details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before attending.

GP referral letter

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Trial details

Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 3
Sponsor
Helsinn Healthcare SA
Registry
ClinicalTrials.gov
Start date
6 May 2019
Est. completion
27 December 2022

Where this trial is recruiting

🇦🇺 Australia 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇵🇱 Poland 🇷🇴 Romania 🇷🇺 Russia 🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇺🇸 United States

6 site(s) in Australia. Confirm current status and contact details directly with the trial site.

Primary endpoints

Mean Change From Baseline in Body Weight Over 12 Weeks; Mean Change From Baseline in 5-item Anorexia Symptom Subscale (5-IASS) Over 12 Weeks

Can't join this trial?

Expanded access pathways

If this trial is not available to you, other access pathways may exist. In Australia, the TGA Special Access Scheme allows access to unapproved therapeutic goods for individual patients.

TGA Special Access Scheme information

Find other recruiting trials on ClinicalTrials.gov

Data last synced from ClinicalTrials.gov: 5 July 2026. Trial status can change. Always verify current status directly with the trial site before making any decision.

Trial recruitment status can change without notice between our nightly data updates. Always contact the trial site directly to confirm current recruitment status before making any decisions or travel arrangements.

View original record on ClinicalTrials.gov