Clinical trial Recruiting at 11 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Emavusertib plus zanubrutinib for CLL and other B‑cell cancers

Official title: A Phase 2 Study of Emavusertib in Combination With an Approved Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other B-cell Malignancies

Run by Curis, Inc. · NCT07271667 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This test will see if adding emavusertib to the BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib can reduce measurable residual disease in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other B‑cell malignancies.

More Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment108 (estimated)
SponsorCuris, Inc.
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionszanubrutinib, chimeric antigen receptor, chemotherapy
Locations11 sites (Miami Beach, Florida and 10 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 23, 2026
Main results expectedNovember 2027
Study endsNovember 2027
Registry record updatedJune 12, 2026
Trial IDNCT07271667 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (≥18) with histologically confirmed CLL or other B‑cell malignancies who meet iwCLL measurable disease criteria, have ECOG 0–2 and adequate organ function, specifically including MRD‑positive patients on zanubrutinib for at least 12 months for Cohort 1 or patients with relapsed disease for Cohort 2.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are treatment‑naive, lack measurable disease per iwCLL, have significant organ dysfunction, or are unable to tolerate BTK inhibitor therapy are unlikely to 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 Phase 2 interventional trial combines the oral IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib with the BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib in adults with CLL and other B‑cell malignancies. Participants are enrolled in cohorts including those with a partial response but persistent measurable residual disease (MRD+) who have been on zanubrutinib for at least 12 months, and a cohort for relapsed disease. The primary objective for the reported cohorts is to measure anticancer activity, including MRD clearance using assays such as ClonoSEQ, alongside standard safety monitoring. Treatment and follow-up occur at participating U.S. cancer centers with scheduled clinical and laboratory assessments per protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could deepen remissions and clear measurable residual disease, potentially prolonging periods without active disease or additional therapy.

How similar studies have gone: Combining novel targeted agents with BTK inhibitors is an emerging strategy with encouraging early‑phase signals for deepening responses, but definitive success in randomized late‑phase trials has not yet been established.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria (All Parts):

1. Males and females ≥ 18 years of age.
2. Life expectancy of ≥ 3 months.
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0, 1, or 2.
4. Histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of CLL (medical record is acceptable), as per the World Health Organization 2016 classification.
5. At least 1 criterion for measurable disease per International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL).
6. For Cohort 1 only:

   1. Participant must be in a partial response (PR) or partial response with lymphocytosis (PR-L) and measurable residual disease positive (MRD+) per Hallek et al, (2018) criteria.
   2. Participant must have detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) as determined by the ClonoSEQ assay
   3. Must be actively taking zanubrutinib for at least 12 months.
   4. Acceptable organ function at Screening within 28 days prior to Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1)
7. For Cohort 2 only:

   1. Relapsed disease for which participants are ineligible for or have exhausted standard therapeutic options that would be considered standard of care
   2. Must be actively taking zanubrutinib.
   3. Participants must have had direct progression on zanubrutinib (within 3 months prior to study entry; administered as monotherapy or in combination) and no other anticancer therapy administered since.
   4. Acceptable organ function at Screening within 28 days prior to C1D1.
8. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) \< 2.5 × ULN.
9. Ability to tolerate a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan.
10. Ability to swallow and retain oral medications.
11. Negative serum pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential (WOCP).
12. WOCP and men who partner with WOCP must agree to use highly effective contraceptive methods for the duration of the study and for 180 days after the last dose of study treatment.
13. Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Legally authorized representatives may sign and give informed consent on behalf of study participants.

Exclusion Criteria (All Parts):

1. Active second malignancy unless in remission with a life expectancy of \> 2 years and with documented Sponsor approval.
2. Active malignancy other than CLL requiring systemic therapy (exceptions may be granted following a discussion with the Sponsor Medical Monitor).
3. Have high-risk CLL TP53 mutations and 17P deletion.
4. History of Grade ≥ 3 rhabdomyolysis without complete recovery.
5. Received prior chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy.
6. Received prior investigational drugs (including treatment in clinical research, unapproved combination products, and new dosage forms) within 28 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, prior to C1D1; allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) within 60 days prior to C1D1; or had clinically significant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) requiring ongoing uptitration of immunosuppressive medications prior to Screening.
7. Any prior systemic anticancer treatment such as chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drug therapy, etc., received within 21 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, prior to C1D1 (with the exception of zanubrutinib, which may be continued until the day before C1D1).
8. Receiving the following medications within 7 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, prior to C1D1:

   1. Medications that, in the opinion of the Investigator, have a high risk of causing prolonged QT interval, corrected (QTc) and/or Torsades de Pointes.
   2. Peg-filgrastim or equivalent.
   3. St John's Wort.
9. History of or ongoing drug-induced pneumonitis.
10. History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months prior to C1D1. Participants with post-biopsy hemorrhagic sequela defined as a small hyperdense lesion \< 3 millimeters (mm) on T2 sequence will not be excluded.
11. Requirement for anticoagulation with warfarin or equivalent vitamin K antagonists, including dual antiplatelet agents, within 5 half-lives of the anticoagulant or 7 days, whichever is longer, prior to C1D1. Low molecular weight heparin is allowed. Participants who require the use of antiplatelet agents should be discussed with the Sponsor Medical Monitor (e.g., use of factor Xa inhibitors).
12. Vaccinated with a live-attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to C1D1.
13. Prior history of hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to emavusertib, zanubrutinib, or any of their excipients.
14. Prior history of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
15. Intolerance to contrast-enhanced CT scan due to allergic reactions to contrast agents.
16. Major surgery \< 28 days prior to C1D1; minor surgery \< 7 days prior to C1D1.
17. Viral infections:

    1. Known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive or have an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illness. If HIV is undetectable or maintained on treatment, enrollment may be allowed after discussion with the Sponsor Medical Monitor.
    2. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) positive or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection \< 6 months prior to C1D1, unless viral load is undetectable, or HCV with cirrhosis.
    3. Active systemic infection, including HIV, cytomegalovirus infection, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, or has had, within 28 days prior to C1D1, an infection (other than nail trichophytosis) that requires hospitalization or an intravenous antibiotic.
18. Concomitant illness that would preclude safe participation in the study.
19. Pregnant or lactating female.

Where it's running

  • Mt Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Miami Beach, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic
    Rochester, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Summit Medical Group
    Florham Park, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Texas Oncology - Sammons Cancer Center
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
Show 5 more locations
  • IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità
    Novara, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedale Università Padova
    Padova, Italy
    Recruiting
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz - START MADRID
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Low-dose Liposomal Amphotericin B for preventing fungal infections in adults with blood cancers and prolonged neutropenia

    This study tests whether giving a daily 50 mg dose of liposomal amphotericin B can help prevent invasive fungal infections in adults with blood cancers who have prolonged low white blood cell counts.

    Recruiting Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine · Hainan, Hainan · NCT07763054

  • Venetoclax plus Zanubrutinib for CLL/SLL in frontline or previously treated patients

    This phase II trial tests if venetoclax plus zanubrutinib can safely and effectively treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, including those who are newly diagnosed and those who have had prior therapy.

    Recruiting Phase 2 Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center · Columbus, Ohio · NCT07734038

  • Tafasitamab plus Acalabrutinib and Venetoclax for newly treated CLL/SLL

    This phase II study tests a combination of tafasitamab, acalabrutinib, and venetoclax in adults who are newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma to see if it is safe and effective.

    Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 City of Hope Medical Center · Duarte, California and 1 other locations · NCT07582159

  • Nemtabrutinib and venetoclax in untreated CLL/SLL

    This phase 2 study tests whether combining nemtabrutinib with venetoclax can help people with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

    Recruiting Phase 2 Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center · Columbus, Ohio · NCT07557056

  • NX-5948 plus other medicines for B-cell cancers

    This trial tests NX-5948 in combination with venetoclax, with or without anti-CD20 antibodies, for adults with CLL/SLL or B-cell lymphoma that has returned or worsened or is newly diagnosed but needing treatment.

    Recruiting at 5 sites Phase 1/2 Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. · Aurora, Colorado and 8 other locations · NCT07520006

  • NX-5948 vs Pirtobrutinib in R/R CLL/SLL

    This study tests NX-5948 against pirtobrutinib in people with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL who have previously tried a covalent BTK inhibitor.

    Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 3 Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. · Macon, Georgia and 5 other locations · NCT07516093

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.