Compare two post-transplant drug combinations to prevent graft-versus-host disease
Official title: A Randomized Study to Compare Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide, Sirolimus, Ruxolitinib and Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide, Sirolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil to Prevent Graft Versus Host Disease
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT06973668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This phase 2 trial will test whether giving ruxolitinib instead of mycophenolate mofetil, together with cyclophosphamide and sirolimus after a stem cell transplant, better prevents graft-versus-host disease in older adults with AML or related blood cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 65 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Radiation, ruxolitinib, cyclophosphamide |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 22, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | January 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | May 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06973668 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Older adults (ages 65–74) with AML, MDS, or CMML who have an available related or matched unrelated donor and are planning a peripheral blood stem cell transplant are the intended candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are younger than 65, lack an eligible donor, require a non-peripheral blood graft source, or have organ dysfunction outside the stated eligibility ranges are unlikely to qualify or derive benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized phase 2 trial at MD Anderson compares two GVHD prophylaxis regimens after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant: post-transplant cyclophosphamide plus sirolimus with either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or ruxolitinib. The primary endpoint is Grade 2–4 acute graft-versus-host disease-free survival (GFS), with secondary endpoints including severe adverse events, relapse, engraftment times, chronic GVHD, survival outcomes, chimerism, and rate of graft failure. Eligible patients are generally older adults (65–74) with AML, MDS, or CMML who have an HLA-identical, haploidentical, or 7/8–8/8 matched donor and will receive peripheral blood grafts. The protocol also includes exploratory mechanistic immune monitoring to correlate immune recovery with disease control and GVHD prophylaxis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If ruxolitinib reduces GVHD compared with MMF, patients could experience lower rates of acute GVHD and fewer post-transplant complications.
How similar studies have gone: Ruxolitinib is approved and has shown benefit for steroid-refractory GVHD, but using it as primary prophylaxis after transplant is relatively novel with limited randomized data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age ≥ 65 and \< 75 years are eligible if they have one of the following diseases.
1. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
2. Myelodysplastic syndrome
3. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
2. Available HLA-identical or haploidentical related donor or a 7/8 or 8/8 HLA matched unrelated donor.
3. Peripheral blood stem cells as a graft source
4. Subject must voluntarily sign an informed consent.
5. Adequate organ function per local laboratory reference range as follows: - Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) \< 3.0X ULN - Total Bilirubin \<1.5 x ULN (unless bilirubin rise is due to Gilbert's syndrome or of nonhepatic origin) - Subject must have adequate renal function as demonstrated by a creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 (as reported in epic using 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation)
* DLCO corrected for Hgb, if applicable) ≥ 50% of predicted
* Ejection Fraction ≥ 50%
* The effects on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and as well as other therapeutic agents used in this trial are known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. (Refer to Pregnancy Assessment Policy MD Anderson Institutional Policy # CLN1114). This includes all female patients, between the onset of menses (as early as 8 years of age) and 55 years unless the patient presents with an applicable exclusionary factor which may be one of the following:
* Postmenopausal (no menses in greater than or equal to 12 consecutive months).
* History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
* Ovarian failure (Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in menopausal range, who have received Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy).
* History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure.
Approved methods of birth control are as follows: Hormonal contraception (i.e. birth control pills, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring), Intrauterine device (IUD), Tubal Ligation or hysterectomy, Subject/Partner post vasectomy, Implantable or injectable contraceptives, and condoms plus spermicide. Not engaging in sexual activity for the total duration of the trial and the drug washout period is an acceptable practice; however periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of birth control. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after completion of study agent administration.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Subject is known to be positive for HIV.
2. Subject has acute promyelocytic leukemia.
3. Subject has known active CNS involvement with AML.
4. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score of \>5
5. Evidence of other clinically significant uncontrolled condition(s) including, but not limited to:
1. Uncontrolled and/or active systemic infection (viral, bacterial or fungal)
2. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) requiring treatment. Note: subjects with serologic evidence of prior vaccination to HBV (i.e. hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen negative-, anti-HBs antibody positive and anti-hepatitis B core (HBc) antibody negative) or subjects with positive anti-HBc antibody but negative Hep B DNA may participate.
6. Cardiac history of CHF requiring treatment or Ejection Fraction \< 50% or unstable angina or MI within 1 year of study entry
7. Major adverse cardiac events such as MI/stroke and pulmonary embolism (PE)/deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within 6 months. Recent history of Central line-associated DVT may be allowed after discussion with PI.
8. Current and/or history of active TB
9. White Blood Cell count \> 25 X 109 /L.
10. Pregnant women are excluded from this study because the study agent has unknown potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with the study agent. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study.
Where it's running
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The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Uday Popat, MBA,MD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Uday Popat, MBA,MD
- Email: upopat@mdanderson.org
- Phone: (713) 563-0812
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Low-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide plus tacrolimus and ruxolitinib to prevent GVHD after myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplant
This test sees if adding low-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide with tacrolimus and ruxolitinib can reduce severe acute graft-versus-host disease in adults receiving myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplants for leukemia or myelodysplasia.
-
Preventing GVHD in children and young adults with blood cancers
This study is testing a new treatment plan to see if it can help prevent graft-versus-host disease in children and young adults with blood cancers after they receive a transplant.
-
Comparing two treatment regimens for Graft-versus-host Disease after stem cell transplantation
This study is testing two different treatment plans for adults with Graft-versus-host Disease after stem cell transplantation to see which one works better, especially for those who haven't responded to steroids.
-
Using PTCy and Ruxolitinib to prevent GVHD after stem cell transplants in children with immune disorders
This study is testing if a new combination of medications can help prevent graft-versus-host disease in children with immune disorders who are getting stem cell transplants.
-
Ruxolitinib and venetoclax added to chemotherapy for children and young adults with relapsed or refractory ALL/LBL
This trial tests whether adding ruxolitinib and venetoclax to dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide and cytarabine helps children and young adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma who have IL7R/JAK-STAT pathway changes.
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6MW5311 in adults with relapsed or refractory blood cancers
This study tests increasing doses of 6MW5311 in adults with multiple myeloma, AML, or CMML to see if it is safe and tolerable and to find a suitable dose for later studies.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.