Using azacitidine and venetoclax to treat acute myeloid leukemia before a stem cell transplant
Official title: A Phase 2 Study of Azacitidine and Venetoclax to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients With Measurable Residual Disease Before an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant
Run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT06773208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if the combination of azacitidine and venetoclax can help adults with acute myeloid leukemia stay cancer-free after a stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 7, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | February 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06773208 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of de-novo AML who have achieved morphologic remission after intensive chemotherapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have not achieved remission or those with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of azacitidine and venetoclax in reducing measurable residual disease (MRD) in adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have undergone standard chemotherapy and are preparing for an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Participants must be in morphologic remission after receiving two cycles of intensive chemotherapy. The goal is to determine if this combination therapy can improve outcomes by lowering the chances of disease relapse post-transplant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment approach could significantly improve remission rates and reduce the risk of relapse in AML patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with similar treatment combinations in AML, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* 1\. Adult patient ≥18 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent form (ICF). Legal Authorized Representatives (LAR) are permitted.
2\. Patient is willing and able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.
3\. Patient has a confirmed diagnosis of de-novo AML (non-APL) as per World Health Organization (2022) guidelines. All (non-APL) subtypes of AML are permitted, irrespective of ELN risk category or mutational status.
4\. Patient has received 1-3 cycles of intensive chemotherapy for remission induction.
5\. Patient is in a morphologic remission, defined as less than 5% percent blasts seen by aspirate differential (or immunohistochemistry if no aspirate available) from bone marrow biopsy.
6\. Patient and is either in CR, or CR with partial count recovery, either CRi/CRh\\\^1.
1CR= BM with \<5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts; absence of extramedullary disease, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1000 cells/µL and platelet (PLT) count ≥ 100,000/µL. CRh = CR with ANC 500-1000 cells/µL and PLT 50,000-100,000 /µL. CRi = CR without meeting CRh criteria (residual neutropenia or thrombocytopenia).
7\. Patient has positive measurable residual disease (MRD) at or above a level of 0.1%, by flow cytometry (MFC) or in molecular cases (NPM1 mutated or one of the CBF translocations) RT-qPCR at or above 0.01%, as described above (see section 3.6). If RT-qPCR is not available, MFC will be allowed for determining eligibility for molecular patients (at or above 0.1%).
8\. Patient is eligible for intensive chemotherapy and immediate allogeneic transplant, with intention to proceed to transplant after trial intervention.
9\. Patient has an ECOG performance status of ≤3 10. Patient has adequate organ function defined as:
1. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
2. Serum total bilirubin \< 1.5 x ULN (or direct bilirubin normal in subjects with total bilirubin \> 1.5 ULN). Except in cases of Gilbert's disease.
3. Creatinine clearance greater than 30 mL/min based on the Cockroft-Gault glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation.
11\. Absence of active uncontrolled infection, heart failure or severe psychiatric or neurological disease.
12\. Females of childbearing potential may participate provided they have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and a negative serum OR urine pregnancy test within two weeks of starting on treatment.
13\. Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during the study, and for 6 months after last dose of azacitidine. Males with female partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after.
Exclusion Criteria:
1\. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or relapsed/refractory AML 2. Blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia 3. Patient with 5% blasts or more by bone marrow aspirate differential (or IHC if no aspirate available) 4. Patient has received previous therapy with a venetoclax containing regimen. 5. Patient has presence of any other condition that may increase the risk associated with study participation, and in the opinion of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into the study.
6\. Patient has active uncontrolled systemic fungal, bacterial, or viral infection.
7\. Patient had recent, significant venous or arterial thrombotic event that would necessitate full anticoagulation or dual anti-platelet therapy, including PE within 30 days prior to start of treatment or insertion of drug eluting stent within 6 months prior to start of treatment. Chronic indications for anticoagulation such as atrial fibrillation, can be included if CHADS2 score below 4.
8\. Patient has mechanical heart valve. 9. Patient had recent significant hemorrhagic episode, at the discretion of investigator.
10\. Patient has significant active cardiac disease within 6 months prior to start of study treatment.
11\. Patient is known to have dysphagia, short-gut syndrome, gastroparesis, or other conditions that limit the ingestion or gastrointestinal absorption of drugs administered orally.
12\. Female subject who is pregnant or lactating.
Where it's running
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Basking Ridge (All Protocol Activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All Protocol Activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All Protocol Activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (All Protocol Activities)
Commack, New York, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
Harrison, New York, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Show 1 more location
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities)
Rockville Centre, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Eytan Stein, MD — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Meira Yisraeli Salman, MD
- Email: yisraem@mskcc.org
- Phone: 646-608-3982
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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PBSS1113 with azacitidine for AML and higher-risk MDS
This study tests PBSS1113 together with azacitidine to see if it is safe and may help people with AML or higher-risk MDS who are newly diagnosed and not fit for intense chemotherapy or who have relapsed/refractory disease.
-
Caris Chromoseq data collection for AML, MDS, and MPN
This study tests how well the Caris Chromoseq assay helps categorize risk in patients with AML, MDS, or MPN compared with standard tests.
-
Venetoclax TDM in newly diagnosed AML: exposure and prognosis
This study checks if measuring venetoclax levels and adjusting treatment helps people with newly diagnosed AML who are getting VEN-AZA.
-
CAR-T cells targeting CD33 and CLL1 for relapsed or refractory AML
A one-arm early-stage trial tests whether a patient’s own engineered CAR-T cells (ICG415) can be safely given after conditioning chemotherapy to see if they can help adults with relapsed or refractory AML.
-
Ziftomenib for relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutated AML in Japanese adults
This study will test whether ziftomenib can help adults with relapsed or refractory NPM1-mutated AML who have few other options.
-
VABu Conditioning for elderly AML patients undergoing stem cell transplant
This trial tests a VABu conditioning regimen to see if it helps older AML patients before allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.