Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 65 and up

Lower-dose immunosuppression plus hetrombopag for severe aplastic anemia in people 65 and older

Official title: Dose-attenuated IST and Hetrombopag in the Treatment of Elderly (≥65 Years) Patients With Very Severe/Severe Aplastic Anemia: A Single-Center, Single-Arm, Phase IIB Clinical Study on Efficacy and Safety

Run by Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China · NCT07010237 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether a lower-dose immunosuppressive regimen combined with hetrombopag can improve blood counts and safety for people aged 65 and older with severe or very severe aplastic anemia.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment65 (estimated)
SponsorInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionscyclophosphamide
Locations1 site (Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 1, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2028
Study endsJuly 1, 2029
Registry record updatedJune 8, 2025
Trial IDNCT07010237 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are people aged 65 or older with confirmed very severe or severe aplastic anemia who can swallow oral medication and do not have disqualifying clonal cytogenetics, uncontrolled cancer, or severe organ dysfunction.

Probably not a fit

Patients with prior ATG or high-dose cyclophosphamide, prolonged prior cyclosporine/tacrolimus use, recent TPO-RA exposure longer than three months, active uncontrolled malignancy, severe organ failure, or disqualifying cytogenetic abnormalities are excluded and unlikely to benefit from enrollment.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label Phase IIB trial testing dose-attenuated immunosuppressive therapy (IST) combined with hetrombopag in patients aged 65 or older with very severe or severe aplastic anemia. Treatment consists of P-ATG 15 mg/kg IV daily for 5 days, cyclosporine 3 mg/kg/day adjusted to trough levels of 100–200 μg/L, and hetrombopag 15 mg daily. Participants are followed weekly for 24 weeks with a bone marrow evaluation at week 24 to document hematologic response and monitor safety. Key eligibility excludes clonal cytogenetic abnormalities (except isolated -Y or +8), prior ATG/high-dose cyclophosphamide, prolonged prior calcineurin inhibitor or TPO-RA use, uncontrolled malignancy, or severe organ dysfunction.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase response rates and reduce transfusion needs while offering a lower-toxicity option for older patients who tolerate standard IST poorly.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies combining TPO-receptor agonists (such as eltrombopag) with standard IST have improved responses in SAA, but hetrombopag plus dose-attenuated IST specifically in elderly patients is less well studied.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of VSAA/SAA.
* Age ≥65 years.
* Completion of all screening assessments.
* Must be able to swallow tablets.
* Signed informed consent (by patient or legal guardian if patient is incapacitated).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities (excluding isolated -Y or +8).
* Prior treatment with ATG/high-dose cyclophosphamide.
* Prior cyclosporine/tacrolimus use \>12 months.
* Prior TPO-RA therapy \>3 months.
* Uncontrolled malignancies or conditions contraindicating ATG.
* Severe organ dysfunction (e.g., creatinine ≥177 μmol/L).
* Investigator judgment of unsuitability.

Where it's running

  • Red Blood Cell Diseases Center
    Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Jun Shi, PhD — Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS
  • Study coordinator: Jianping Li, MD
  • Email: lijianping@ihcams.ac.cn
  • Phone: +8613820961539

Similar studies

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

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.