Emapalumab treatment for pediatric aplastic anemia

Phase 2a/2b Study Emapalumab: A Window of Opportunity in Pediatric Aplastic Anemia

Phase 2 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT06430788

This study is testing if a new treatment called emapalumab can help children with severe aplastic anemia do better with their standard treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment35 (estimated)
Ages0 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsemapalumab
Locations6 sites (New York, New York and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06430788 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of emapalumab as an upfront treatment for pediatric patients diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia (sAA). The goal is to evaluate whether this treatment can enhance the effectiveness of standard treatment options for sAA. Patients will be assessed based on specific criteria related to their bone marrow cellularity and peripheral blood counts. The study aims to provide insights into the potential benefits of emapalumab in managing this serious condition.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are pediatric patients under 25 years of age with suspected newly diagnosed severe aplastic anemia and significant cytopenias.

Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled infections, previous treatments for sAA, or known inherited bone marrow failure may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve outcomes for children with severe aplastic anemia by enhancing the effectiveness of existing therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in the context of pediatric aplastic anemia, similar studies in other conditions have shown promising results with emapalumab.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing workup for suspected newly diagnosed sAA:

  * Patients with severe cytopenias and a hypocellular marrow concerning for sAA
  * Patients that meet the definition for suspected sAA (Camitta Criteria) as follows:

Marrow Cellularity: \<25%, or 25-50% with \<30% residual hematopoietic cells Peripheral cytopenias (at least 2 of 3) Absolute neutrophil count (ANC): \<500 x 10\^9/L Platelets: \<20 x 10\^9/L Absolute Reticulocyte Count: \<60 x 10\^9/L

* Patients that do not have evidence of leukemia or MDS
* Patients \< 25 years of age at time of diagnosis
* Able to tolerate emapalumab and IST (with standard institutional organ function criteria)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncontrolled infection at presentation.
* Patients who have undergone previous treatment for sAA.
* Patients with known inherited bone marrow failure
* Patient who has completed a full workup for sAA including having results back from telomere testing, DEB and genetics (when applicable), as well as having an appropriate willing and available donor and would otherwise be admitted for HSCT within 2 weeks of enrolling on the trial
* Patients with leukemia or MDS
* Patient or parent or guardian unable to give informed consent or unable to comply with the treatment protocol including research tests.

Where this trial is running

New York, New York and 5 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 Aplastic AnemiaCytopeniaHypocellular Marrowpediatric aplastic anemiaaplastic anemiacytopeniahypocellular marrowEmapalumab
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.