Unresectable NUT Carcinoma

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of ZEN003694 when given together with abemaciclib in treating patients with NUT carcinoma, breast cancer or other solid tumors that have spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). ZEN003694 is an inhibitor of a family of proteins called the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET). It may prevent the growth of tumor cells that overproduce BET protein. Abemaciclib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving ZEN003694 and abemaciclib may help shrink or stabilize cancer in patients with NUT carcinoma, breast cancer or other solid tumors.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of ZEN003694 in combination with cisplatin and etoposide or carboplatin and paclitaxel in treating patients with NUT carcinoma. Another purpose of this study is to see whether there are any changes in patient's tumor or blood characteristics (e.g. genes, molecules, etc.) due to combination therapy. ZEN003694 inhibits the production of certain growth-promoting proteins and may prevent proliferation of tumor cells that use those proteins for their growth. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of tumor cells. Etoposide is in a class of medications known as podophyllotoxin derivatives. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair and may kill tumor cells. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of tumor cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops tumor cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Combination therapy with ZEN003694 and etoposide and cisplatin or carboplatin and paclitaxel may be safe and effective in treating patients with NUT carcinoma.

This phase II trial studies how well cemiplimab works in treating patients with nuclear protein of testis (NUT) carcinoma for which no treatment is currently available (incurable) and that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (resectable). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as cemiplimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.