Compare two post-transplant drug combinations to prevent graft-versus-host disease

A Randomized Study to Compare Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide, Sirolimus, Ruxolitinib and Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide, Sirolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil to Prevent Graft Versus Host Disease

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
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: Radiation, ruxolitinib, cyclophosphamide
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT06973668 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility 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 this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• 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

Conditions AML