NCI-MATCH / EAY131

The National Cancer Institute-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice trial, also known as NCI-MATCH study EAY131, is a phase II precision medicine trial that seeks to determine whether matching certain drugs or drug combinations in adults whose tumors have specific gene abnormalities will effectively treat their cancer, regardless of their cancer type. Such discoveries could be eligible to move on to larger, more definitive trials.

Precision medicine refers to the tailoring of treatment based on the characteristics of each individual. Treatment focuses on molecular abnormalities instead of the organ site of cancer.

A Unique Trial

NCI-MATCH is considered the largest precision medicine cancer trial to date based on the number of patients, treatment arms, and types of cancer being studied in a single clinical trial

• The 39 treatment arms (open and planned) explore a large number of genetic abnormalities and drugs—far more than any other cancer trial
• The trial includes a large number of rare and common cancer types, while most other trials address a single cancer

Other Ways that NCI-MATCH is Unique

• Unlike many clinical trials, this trial is not comparing the drugs or drug combinations with each other, but is studying each treatment’s effectiveness on its own
• The inclusion of uncommon types of cancer in NCI-MATCH offers patients an unusual opportunity to have their disease assessed to see if it has the same genetic abnormalities found in more common cancer types
• It also offers researchers a unique opportunity to study the effectiveness of new treatments on rare diseases
• The depth and breadth of expertise among the investigators and staff involved in the trial is unprecedented, and includes hundreds of translational scientists, clinical oncologists, community practitioners, and research personnel all with deep experience in clinical trials

Patient Eligibility

For an overview, visit the Patient Eligibility section.

Patient Referrals

Tumor gene testing by a designated lab is the only pathway for patients to enroll in the trial. For an overview, visit the Genomic Testing section.

Trial Locations

NCI-MATCH is open and enrolling patients at nearly 1100 cancer centers and community hospitals in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For locations, visit the NCI website.

Trial Leadership

• NCI-MATCH was co-developed by the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
• The trial is publicly funded by the NCI
• ECOG-ACRIN is leading the trial, a role that involves coordinating the genetic testing and supporting trial sites with training, laboratory services, trial assignments, biostatistical support, data management, auditing, quality control, and public awareness
• Patient advocates were engaged in the development of the trial and are giving input on its implementation and other aspects of the study

Questions?

• To learn more about this trial, patients should start by speaking with their doctor or healthcare team
• Contact the NCI Contact Center, where trained specialists answer cancer-related questions in English and Spanish
• Study personnel with questions about the trial may send an email to ECOG-ACRIN

Acknowledgments