Exploring the safety and efficacy of phytomedicine Petiveria alliacea extract (Esperanza) in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias: study protocol for a phase Ib/randomized double blind phase II trial (PA001)

BACKGROUND: The energy metabolism of drug-resistant tumor cells can provide a survival advantage during therapy, and treatment itself may influence metabolic reprogramming. Petiveria alliacea (Traditional name: Anamu) could inhibit glycolysis and OXPHOX modulating tumor metabolism, making it a potential treatment for tumors with altered metabolism. This clinical study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized Anamu phytomedicine called Esperanza in treating gastric tumors and acute leukemias. METHODS: This is a prospective, open label, phase I/ randomized, double-blind single-center phase II study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Esperanza extract in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias. In stage 1, the study will determine the MTD and assess safety. In stage 2, safety at the MTD will be evaluated, and the efficacy of Esperanza extract will be explored in both metastatic gastric tumors and acute leukemias. Quality of life improvement will be the primary outcome in the gastric tumor group, while different efficacy outcomes will be assessed in the acute leukemia group. A placebo group will be used for comparison in the gastric tumor group, and a historical control group will be used in the acute leukemia arm. DISCUSSION: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety profile of the Esperanza extract in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias, while exploring its potential efficacy in conjunction with standard treatment for these pathologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the US National Library of Medicine with identifier NCT05587088. Registered October 19(th), 2022. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-023-04109-2.