Emavusertib plus zanubrutinib for CLL and other B‑cell cancers

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

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.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 108 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Curis, Inc. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: zanubrutinib, chimeric antigen receptor, chemotherapy
• Locations: 3 sites (Miami Beach, Florida and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07271667 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility 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 this trial is running

Miami Beach, Florida and 2 other locations

• Mt Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center — Miami Beach, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
• Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Columbus, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
• Texas Oncology - Sammons Cancer Center — Dallas, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ahmed Hamdy, MD

Conditions Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; B-cell Malignancies; Emavusertib; BTKi; CLL; Zanubrutinib