Intermittent dosing of ibrutinib for advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A Pilot Study on Intermittent and Repeated Dosing of Ibrutinib in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced-phase Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Karolinska University Hospital · NCT04771507

This study is testing if taking the cancer drug ibrutinib in a 'ON-OFF' way can help people with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia stay healthy while possibly having fewer side effects and lower costs.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKarolinska University Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsibrutinib, prednisone
Locations9 sites (Trondheim and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04771507 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study investigates the effects of intermittent dosing of ibrutinib, a drug used to treat advanced-phase chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in patients who have previously received continuous treatment. The study aims to determine if an 'ON-OFF' dosing strategy can maintain disease control while potentially reducing side effects and costs associated with long-term therapy. Participants will be monitored for their response to this alternative dosing approach until they require other treatments due to resistance or intolerance. The study focuses on patients who have shown clinical improvement after at least six months of continuous ibrutinib therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with active CLL who have previously failed chemoimmunotherapy and have shown clinical improvement on ibrutinib.

Not a fit: Patients who have not received prior treatment with ibrutinib or those with early-stage CLL may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more cost-effective and tolerable treatment option for patients with CLL.

How similar studies have performed: While intermittent dosing strategies are being explored, this specific approach to ibrutinib in CLL is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to understand and voluntarily provide written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study.
2. Age 18 years and older. There is no upper age limit in this trial.
3. Able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.
4. Before start ibrutinib for the first time: diagnosed with CLL/SLL and active disease in need of treatment after having failed chemoimmunotherapy for CLL defined as a) refractory according to iwCLL criteria; or b) relapsed and deemed not suitable for additional chemo- or chemoimmunotherapy or c) del 17p and/or TP53 mutation irrespective of prior therapy.
5. Having received at least 6 months of ibrutinib therapy and having achieved at least clinical PR according to IWCLL criteria.
6. ECOG performance status of \</= 2 at screening.
7. Laboratory test results:

   * Absolute neutrophil count \>/= 0.5 x 109/L
   * Platelet count \>/= 30 x 109/L
   * Serum creatinine \< 177 µmol/L
   * ASAT (SGOT) and ALAT (SGPT) \>/= 2 x ULN or \>/= 5 x ULN unless attributable to CLL/SLL
8. Disease free of prior malignancies for \>/= 2 years with exception of currently treated basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma "in situ" of the cervix or breast.
9. Agree to use reliable forms of contraception. Post-menopausal females and surgically sterilized females are exempt from this criterion.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any serious medical condition, laboratory abnormality, or psychiatric illness that would prevent the subject from signing the informed consent form.
2. Pregnant or breast feeding females.
3. Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which according to the responsible physician places the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study.
4. Use of any other experimental therapy within the last 14 days.
5. Concurrent use of other anti-cancer agents or treatments than ibrutinib (except a low dose of corticosteroids, max 10 mg of prednisone/day).
6. Positivity for HIV or infectious hepatitis, type A, B or C.
7. Opportunistic infections within the last 3 months.
8. Patient planned for or being a potential candidate for allo-SCT.
9. Uncontrolled hemolytic anemia or autoimmune thrombocytopenia.
10. CNS involvement or history of Richter's transformation.
11. Requires or has received anticoagulation treatment with warfarin or equivalent Vitamin K antagonists (eg, phenprocoumon) within 28 days of the first dose of ibrutinib.
12. Requires treatment with a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/5 inhibitor.

Where this trial is running

Trondheim and 8 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 Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaSmall Lymphocytic Lymphoma
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.