Belumosudil to prevent graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant

Phase II Open Label Prospective Nonrandomized Trial of Belumosudil for Switch-Maintenance Prophylaxis of Graft-versus-Host Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Phase 2 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT07006506

This will test whether adding the drug belumosudil to standard prevention lowers the risk of graft-versus-host disease in adults with blood cancers after a stem cell transplant.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment46 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations8 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07006506 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 2 interventional trial adds belumosudil to usual GVHD prophylaxis in adults who received a peripheral blood allogeneic stem cell transplant for a hematologic malignancy in morphologic remission. Eligible participants are within 120 days post-transplant, have engrafted, and received CNI-based prophylaxis with abatacept or PTCY-containing regimens from matched or haploidentical donors. The study will monitor incidence of GVHD and safety outcomes while patients receive belumosudil alongside standard care. Investigators will compare outcomes to expected rates with current prophylaxis approaches to see if belumosudil reduces early post-transplant GVHD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with a hematologic malignancy in morphologic remission who received a peripheral blood allogeneic HCT within 120 days, have engrafted, and are on CNI-based GVHD prophylaxis with abatacept or PTCY-compatible regimens are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with active hematologic disease, those who have not engrafted, those beyond 120 days post-transplant, or those receiving non-specified prophylactic regimens or non-peripheral blood grafts are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding belumosudil could reduce the rate of post-transplant GVHD and its complications, potentially improving recovery and longer-term outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Belumosudil has shown benefit for treating chronic GVHD after other therapies, but using it up front to prevent GVHD after transplant is a newer approach under study.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients ≥ 18 years-old at time of consent.
* Diagnosis: hematologic malignancy in morphologic remission who will be treated with RI or NMA conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis CNI-based (CNI without PTCY) plus abatacept or PTCY-based (CNI with PTCY).
* Recipients of 7-8/8 related or unrelated HLA-matched or related haploidentical donor.
* Peripheral blood stem cell graft
* Allo-HCT day \<120 at time of consent

Post-HCT inclusion criteria (within 3 weeks before start of belumosudil treatment)

* Patient has received an allo-HCT transplant and is in morphologic remission (blasts \<5%, no evidence of extramedullary disease in AML or MDS). Patients with CR with incomplete count recovery (CRp or CRi) or minimal residual disease are allowed.
* Patient has achieved engraftment. Engraftment is defined as ANC≥500/μL and platelets ≥ 20000/μL on 3 consecutive measurements (each occurring at least 1 day apart). The patient must not have had a platelet transfusion within 7 days before the first measurement.
* Patient is ≥ 80 days and ≤ 20 days from allo-HCT infusion.
* Karnofsky score ≥ 70%.
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3x upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Total bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN (unless benign congenital hyperbilirubinemia).
* Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2
* Female subjects of childbearing potential (≤ 50 years old) have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test. Females of childbearing potential are defined as females without prior hysterectomy or who have had any evidence of menses in the past 12 months.

  ° Sexually active females of childbearing potential enrolled in the study must agree to consistently use two forms of accepted methods of contraception during the course of the study and for 3 months after their last dose of study drug. Effective birth control includes: \* Intrauterine device (IUD) plus one barrier method \* Stable doses of hormonal contraception for at least 3 months (eg, oral, injectable, implant, transdermal) plus one barrier method \* 2 barrier methods. Effective barrier methods are male or female condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides (creams or gel that contain a chemical to kill sperm); or \* A vasectomized partner
* For male subjects who are sexually active and who are partners of females of childbearing potential: Agreement to use two forms of contraception as per above and to not donate sperm during the treatment period and for at least 3 months after the last dose of study drug.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recipient of CD34+ selected or engineered stem cell graft.
* Treatment with in vivo T cell depletion (e.g. anti-thymocyte globulin).
* Evidence of current uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months.
* Pulmonary dysfunction with DLCO \<50% corrected for hemoglobin

Post-HCT exclusion criteria

* Uncontrolled infection, including active hepatitis B and C. Definitive therapy for infection is required and must have no signs of progression within 7 days of the first day of study drug treatment.
* Use of investigational agent within 14 days pre-HCT or anytime thereafter.
* Active acute or chronic GVHD requiring systemic therapy (topical or local therapies are allowed).
* Active treatment with corticosteroids at a dose of ≥ 0.25 mg/kg/day for non-GVHD indication.
* Uncontrolled psychosis, active suicidal ideation, or psychiatric hospitalization within the past year
* Female patient who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Prior therapy with belumosudil.
* Known allergy or sensitivity to belumosudil or any other ROCK2 inhibitor.

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 7 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Graft Versus Host DiseaseGraft Vs Host DiseaseHematologic MalignancyHematologic malignancy in morphologic remissionBelumosudilStem Cell TransplantMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center25-033
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.