Combination Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Overseen By Tapan Kadia

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Venetoclax

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Uncontrolled illness, APL, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

145 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This phase II trial studies how well venetoclax, cladribine, low dose cytarabine, and azacitidine work in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has previously not been treated. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as venetoclax, cladribine, and low dose cytarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Azacitidine may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving venetoclax, cladribine, low dose cytarabine induction followed by cladribine, low dose cytarabine, and azacitidine consolidation may work better in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, prior therapy with certain drugs like hydroxyurea and cytarabine is allowed, so it's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine safe for humans?

The combination of venetoclax and azacitidine has been found to have acceptable safety in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, including those who are older or have relapsed. It is generally well-tolerated, but as with any treatment, there may be side effects, and long-term safety data is still being observed. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What makes the combination chemotherapy with Azacitidine, Cladribine, Cytarabine, and Venetoclax unique for treating acute myeloid leukemia?

This treatment is unique because it combines multiple drugs, including venetoclax, which is known to improve remission rates and survival in older or unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia when combined with azacitidine. The addition of cladribine and cytarabine may further enhance outcomes, offering a potentially more effective option for patients who are not candidates for standard chemotherapy. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

What data supports the effectiveness of this drug combination for treating acute myeloid leukemia?

Research shows that combining venetoclax with azacitidine improves remission rates and survival in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia compared to azacitidine alone. Additionally, the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine has become a first-line therapy for elderly patients, achieving a high complete remission rate. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tapan Kadia, MD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults under 50 with untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML), who can't have standard therapy. They must have normal liver and kidney function, be physically stable enough to participate, not pregnant or breastfeeding, willing to use contraception, and able to consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I understand the study's requirements and have signed the consent form.

I have AML and may have had only specific minor treatments.

I am 50 years or older, or under 50 but considered unsuitable for standard treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

I am of childbearing age and do not use birth control.

Participants with documented hypersensitivity to any of the components of the chemotherapy program

I have been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Induction

Patients receive cladribine, cytarabine, and venetoclax for 28 days. A second induction cycle may be given if CR or CRi is not achieved.

4 weeks

Daily visits for drug administration

Consolidation/Maintenance

Patients receive cladribine, cytarabine, venetoclax, and azacitidine in cycles, repeating every 28 days for up to 18 cycles.

Up to 18 months

Regular visits for each cycle

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment completion.

Every 6-12 months for 5 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Azacitidine
• Cladribine
• Cytarabine
• Venetoclax

Trial Overview The study tests a combination of chemotherapy drugs: Venetoclax, Cladribine, low dose Cytarabine, and Azacitidine in two phases—induction followed by consolidation—to see if they're more effective together in treating AML.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment (cladribine, cytarabine, venetoclax, azacitidine) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

See Detailed Description.

Azacitidine is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Vidaza for:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes

Approved in United States as Vidaza for:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Approved in Canada as Vidaza for:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Acute myeloid leukemia

Approved in Japan as Vidaza for:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Acute myeloid leukemia

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 6 children with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the combination of venetoclax, azacitidine, and cladribine (VAC regimen) resulted in significant treatment responses, with 4 achieving complete remission and 1 showing partial remission.

Despite severe side effects like grade IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, there were no treatment-related deaths or infections, indicating that the VAC regimen is both effective and safe for this vulnerable patient group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Safety and the Short-Term Efficacy of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine Followed by Cladribine in Children with Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia]. DU, WW., Liu, SX., Wang, Y., et al.[2023]

In a phase II study involving 60 older or unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the combination of venetoclax with cladribine and low-dose cytarabine alternating with venetoclax and 5-azacitidine resulted in a high composite complete response rate of 93%.

The treatment showed promising overall survival and disease-free survival rates, with only one death occurring within 4 weeks, indicating that this regimen is effective and has a favorable safety profile for this patient population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase II Study of Venetoclax Added to Cladribine Plus Low-Dose Cytarabine Alternating With 5-Azacitidine in Older Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Kadia, TM., Reville, PK., Wang, X., et al.[2023]

In a study of 57 elderly patients (average age 69.9 years) with acute myeloid leukemia, the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA) showed a high overall response rate of 87.5% and a complete remission (CR) rate of 68.8%, indicating strong efficacy in this population.

The treatment was associated with a median overall survival (OS) of 11.5 months, and achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (<0.1%) was more common with VEN + AZA compared to traditional chemotherapy, although older patients (≥75 years) and those with higher ECOG scores faced more challenges in achieving MRD negativity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Single-institution experience of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients. Yu, H., Wang, C., Lei, Y., et al.[2023]

In a study of nine AML patients with acquired resistance to venetoclax, the typical BCL2 mutation associated with resistance was not found, suggesting that this mutation is not necessary for developing resistance in AML.

The study identified that existing mutations, particularly the expansion of FLT3-ITD, were primarily responsible for venetoclax resistance, indicating that monitoring these mutations could help in developing strategies to prevent or overcome resistance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Not BCL2 mutation but dominant mutation conversation contributed to acquired venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukemia. Zhang, X., Qian, J., Wang, H., et al.[2022]

The combination of venetoclax (Ven) and azacitidine (AZA) shows a high efficacy in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), with an overall complete response rate of 57.9% across 19 studies involving 1615 patients.

This treatment is particularly effective for newly diagnosed AML patients, achieving a complete response rate of 67.5%, although it is less effective for those with relapsed or refractory AML, which had a response rate of only 30%.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy and safety of venetoclax and azacytidine combination treatment in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Du, Y., Li, C., Yan, J.[2023]

In a study of 13 patients with acute leukemia treated with venetoclax and azacitidine, 46% developed COVID-19, highlighting a significant risk associated with this treatment during the pandemic.

The study found that 33% of those who contracted COVID-19 died from the virus, indicating that COVID-19 can lead to severe outcomes in patients receiving AZA-VEN therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Treated with Azacitidine and Venetoclax for Acute Leukemia: A Report of a Case Series Treated in a Single Institution. Drozd-Sokołowska, J., Mądry, K., Barankiewicz, J., et al.[2023]

In a phase 1/2 study involving six Japanese patients aged 60 and older with acute myeloid leukaemia, the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine demonstrated a high response rate, with 83% of patients achieving a response, including three complete remissions.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with a median overall survival of 15.7 months, although some patients experienced serious adverse events, including grade 3 fungal pneumonia, which required treatment adjustments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in Japanese patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: phase 1 trial findings. Taniguchi, S., Yamauchi, T., Choi, I., et al.[2021]

In a study of 60 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine (Ven+AZA) demonstrated a high response rate, with 70.8% of previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy achieving complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) after one cycle.

Ven+AZA was found to be safe and tolerable, with some patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, particularly in those with favorable genetic mutations like NPM1, IDH1/IDH2, and TP53, indicating its potential effectiveness in specific patient subgroups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Short-term efficacy of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia: a single-institution experience]. Yu, WJ., Jia, JS., Wang, J., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Safety and the Short-Term Efficacy of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine Followed by Cladribine in Children with Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia]. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase II Study of Venetoclax Added to Cladribine Plus Low-Dose Cytarabine Alternating With 5-Azacitidine in Older Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. [2023]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Single-institution experience of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients. [2023]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Not BCL2 mutation but dominant mutation conversation contributed to acquired venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukemia. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy and safety of venetoclax and azacytidine combination treatment in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Treated with Azacitidine and Venetoclax for Acute Leukemia: A Report of a Case Series Treated in a Single Institution. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in Japanese patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: phase 1 trial findings. [2021]

8. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Short-term efficacy of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia: a single-institution experience]. [2022]