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A Study of Venetoclax in Combination With Low Dose Cytarabine Versus Low Dose Cytarabine Alone in Treatment Naive Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Who Are Ineligible for Intensive Chemotherapy

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Phase 3 Study of Venetoclax Co-Administered With Low Dose Cytarabine Versus Low Dose Cytarabine in Treatment Naïve Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Who Are Ineligible for Intensive Chemotherapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03069352
Enrollment
211
Registered
2017-03-03
Start date
2017-05-23
Completion date
2025-08-21
Last updated
2025-09-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Keywords

Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Leukemia, Treatment naïve, Venetoclax, Cytarabine

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate if venetoclax when co administered with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) improves overall survival (OS) versus LDAC and placebo, in treatment-naïve patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Detailed description

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and rare cancer of myeloid cells (a white blood cell responsible for fighting infections). Successful treatment of AML is dependent on what subtype of AML the patient has, and the age of the patient when diagnosed. Venetoclax is an experimental drug that kills cancer cells by blocking a protein (part of a cell) that allows cancer cells to stay alive. This study is designed to see if adding venetoclax to cytarabine works better than cytarabine on its own. This is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind (treatment unknown to patients and doctors), placebo-controlled, multicenter study in patients with AML who are 18 or more years old and have not been treated before. Patients who take part in this study should not be suitable for intensive induction chemotherapy (usual starting treatment). Abbvie is funding this study which will take place at approximately 125 hospitals globally. In this study, 2/3 of patients will receive venetoclax every day with cytarabine and the remaining 1/3 will receive placebo (dummy) tablets with cytarabine. Participants will continue to have study visits and receive treatment for as long as they are having a clinical benefit. The effect of the treatment on AML will be checked by taking blood, bone marrow, scans, measuring side effects and by completing health questionnaires. Blood and bone marrow tests will be completed to see why some people respond better than others.

Interventions

DRUGPlacebo

tablet

DRUGVenetoclax

tablet

DRUGCytarabine

Subcutaneous injection

Sponsors

AbbVie
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Participant must have histological confirmation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by World Health Organization criteria, be ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy and either be: * ≥ 75 years of age OR * ≥ 18 to 74 years of age and fulfill at least one criteria associated with lack of fitness for intensive induction chemotherapy: * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 - 3 * Cardiac history of congestive heart failure (CHF) requiring treatment or ejection fraction ≤ 50% or chronic stable angina * Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≤ 65% or forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ≤ 65% * Creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min to \< 45 ml/min * Moderate hepatic impairment with total bilirubin \> 1.5 to ≤ 3.0 × upper limit of normal (ULN) * Other comorbidity that the physician judges to be incompatible with conventional intensive chemotherapy which must be reviewed and approved by the study medical monitor before study enrollment 2. Participant must have an ECOG performance status: * of 0 to 2 for subjects ≥ 75 years of age OR * of 0 to 3 for subjects between 18 to 74 years of age 3. Participant must have a projected life expectancy of at least 12 weeks. 4. Participant must have adequate renal function as demonstrated by a creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min; calculated by the Cockcroft Gault formula or measured by 24-hour urine collection. 5. Participant must have adequate liver function as demonstrated by: * aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3.0 × ULN\* * alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3.0 × ULN\* * bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN\* * Subjects who are \< 75 years of age may have bilirubin of ≤ 3.0 × ULN (\*Unless considered to be due to leukemic organ involvement.) 6. Female participants must be either postmenopausal defined as: * Age \> 55 years with no menses for 12 or more months without an alternative medical cause. * Age ≤ 55 years with no menses for 12 or more months without an alternative medical cause AND a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level \> 40 IU/L. OR * Permanently surgical sterile (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy or hysterectomy). OR * A woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) practicing at least one protocol specified method of birth control starting at Study Day 1 through at least 180 days after the last dose of study drug. 7. Male participants who are sexually active, must agree, from Study Day 1 through at least 180 days after the last dose of study drug, to practice protocol specified methods of contraception. Male subjects must agree to refrain from sperm donation from initial study drug administration through at least 180 days after the last dose of study drug. 8. Females of childbearing potential must have negative results for pregnancy test performed: * At Screening with a serum sample obtained within 14 days prior to the first study drug administration, and * Prior to dosing with urine sample obtained on Cycle 1 Day 1, if it has been \> 7 days since obtaining the serum pregnancy test results. * Subjects with borderline pregnancy tests at Screening must have a serum pregnancy test ≥ 3 days later to document continued lack of a positive result. 9. Participant must voluntarily sign and date an informed consent form, approved by an Independent Ethics Committee (IEC)/Institutional Review Board (IRB), prior to the initiation of any screening or study-specific procedures.

Exclusion criteria

1. Participant has received any prior treatment for AML with the exception of hydroxyurea, allowed through the first cycle of study treatment. Note: Prior treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome is allowed except for use of cytarabine. 2. Participant had an antecedent myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) including myelofibrosis, essential thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, or chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with or without BCR-ABL 1 translocation and AML with BCR-ABL 1 translocation. 3. Participants that have acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). 4. Participant has known central nervous system (CNS) involvement with AML. 5. Participant has known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (due to potential drug-drug interactions between antiretroviral medications and venetoclax). HIV testing will be performed at Screening, if required per local guidelines or institutional standards. 6. Participant is known to be positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Inactive hepatitis carrier status or low viral hepatitis titer on antivirals (non-exclusionary medications) are not excluded. 7. Participant has received strong or moderate cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A) inducers 7 days prior to the initiation of study treatment. * Chinese subjects are excluded from receiving strong and/or moderate CYP3A inhibitors 7 days prior to the initiation of study treatment through the end of intensive pharmacokinetic (PK) collection (24 hours post dose on Cycle 1 Day 10). 8. Participant has consumed grapefruit, grapefruit products, Seville oranges (including marmalade containing Seville oranges) or star fruit within 3 days prior to the initiation of study treatment. 9. Participant has cardiovascular disability status of New York Heart Association Class \> 2. Class 2 is defined as cardiac disease which subjects are comfortable at rest but ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, or angina pain. Class 3 is defined as cardiac disease which subjects are comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea. Class 4 is defined as cardiac disease which subjects have an inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort, symptoms of heart failure at rest, and if any physical activity is undertaken then discomfort increases. 10. Participant has chronic respiratory disease that requires continuous oxygen, or significant history of renal, neurologic, psychiatric, endocrinologic, metabolic, immunologic, hepatic, cardiovascular disease, any other medical condition or known hypersensitivity to any of the study medications including excipients of LDAC that in the opinion of the investigator would adversely affect his/her participating in this study. 11. Participant has a malabsorption syndrome or other condition that precludes enteral route of administration. 12. Participant exhibits evidence of other clinically significant uncontrolled systemic infection requiring therapy (viral, bacterial or fungal). 13. Participant has a history of other malignancies prior to study entry, with the exception of: * Adequately treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix uteri or carcinoma in situ of breast; * Basal cell carcinoma of the skin or localized squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; * Previous malignancy confined and surgically resected (or treated with other modalities) with curative intent. 14. Participant has a white blood cell count \> 25 × 10\^9/L. (Note: hydroxyurea administration or leukapheresis is permitted to meet this criterion). 15. Previous treatment with venetoclax and/or current participation in any other research study with investigational products.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall Survival (OS)From randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death. Participants who had not died were censored at the date they were last known to be alive on or before the cutoff date. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh)Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission (CR) or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) at any time point during the study assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is a derived response based on bone marrow blast and hematology lab values, achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Initiation of Cycle 2Cycle 1, 28 daysThe composite complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) before initiation of Cycle 2, assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red cell transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except for RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria are met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission and Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Initiation of Cycle 2Cycle 1, 28 daysThe percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission (CR) or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) before initiation of Cycle 2 assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is a derived response based on bone marrow blast and hematology lab values, achieved when when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1-week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Percentage of Participants With Complete RemissionResponse was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) at any time during the study as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the International Working Group (IWG) for AML. CR is defined as no morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red blood cell transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aBaseline and Day 1 of Cycles 3, 5, 7, and 9PROMIS Fatigue SF 7a is a seven-item questionnaire that assesses the impact and experience of fatigue over the past 7 days. All questions employ the following five response options: 1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, and 5 = Always. The PROMIS Fatigue 7a score is calculated as a T-score, which is a standardized score with a mean of 50 (based on the average for the United States general population) and a standard deviation (SD) of 10. Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. A decrease in score (negative change from Baseline) indicates improvement in fatigue; the minimum important difference used in this study was 3 points.
Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeBaseline and Day 1 of Cycles 3, 5, 7, and 9The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core (EORTC QLQ-C30) consists of a Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QoL) scale, a Financial Difficulties scale, 5 functional scales (Cognitive, Social, Physical, Emotional, and Role Functioning), and 8 symptom scales/items (Fatigue, Insomnia, Appetite Loss, Pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspnea, and Nausea and Vomiting). The GHS/QoL scale includes 2 questions in which participants were asked to rate their overall health and overall quality of life during the past week on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 7 (excellent). The 2 scores were averaged and transformed to a scale from 0 to 100, where a high score represents a high QoL. A positive change from baseline indicates better quality of life.
Event-free Survival (EFS)From randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15, 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.Event-free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the date of progressive disease (PD), confirmed morphologic relapse from CR or CRi, treatment failure (failure to achieve CR, CRi or morphologic leukemia free state (MLFS) after at least 6 cycles of study treatment), or death from any cause, assessed by the investigator according to the modified IWG criteria. PD: * \> 50% increase in marrow blasts (minimum 15% increase required if blasts \< 30% at baseline); or persistent marrow blast \> 70% for ≥ 3 months; without at least a 100% improvement in ANC to an absolute level \> 0.5 × 10⁹/L, and/or platelets to \> 50 × 10⁹/L non-transfused; or * 50% increase in peripheral blasts to \> 25 × 10⁹/L; or * New extramedullary disease Participants with no events prior to the cut-off date were censored at their last assessment date; participants with no events prior to post-treatment therapy initiated before the cut-off date were censored on the start date of post-treatment therapy.
Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion IndependenceFrom first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.The post baseline red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence rate was calculated as the percentage of participants who achieved RBC transfusion independence post baseline. RBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 consecutive days with no RBC transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi)Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The composite complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) at any time during the study as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the International Working Group (IWG) for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 10³/μL (1,000/μL), platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL (100,000/μL), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, the CRi criteria are met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Percentage of Participants With RBC Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at BaselineFrom first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.The rate of conversion was calculated as the percentage of participants who were post-baseline RBC transfusion independent among participants who had an RBC transfusion within 8 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug (i.e. were transfusion dependent at Baseline). RBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 days with no RBC transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.
Percentage of Participants With Platelet Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at BaselineFrom first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.The rate of conversion was calculated as the percentage of participants who were post-baseline platelet transfusion independent among participants who had a platelet transfusion within 8 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug (i.e. were transfusion dependent at Baseline). Platelet transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 days with no platelet transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) ResponseResponse was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The percentage of participants with complete remission or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery AND minimal residual disease (MRD) as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on the modified IWG response criteria for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria are met. MRD response (at lowest-point MRD value) was defined as having less than 10-³ residual blasts per leukocyte measured in the bone marrow, per European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations. Participants who had no disease or MRD assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) ResponseResponse was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The percentage of participants with complete remission or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) AND MRD response as assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the modified IWG response criteria for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. MRD response (at lowest-point MRD value) was defined as less than 10-³ residual blasts per leukocyte measured in the bone marrow, per ELN recommendations. Participants who had no disease or MRD assessments were considered to be non-responders.
Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation SubgroupsFrom randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15, 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death. Participants who had not died were censored at the date they were last known to be alive on or before the cutoff date. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Overall survival was analyzed in participants with the following molecular markers: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS (Feline McDonough Sarcoma)-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation SubgroupResponse was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria is met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders. Response was analyzed in participants with the following mutations: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation
Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation SubgroupResponse was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.The percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery assessed by the investigator for participants with the following mutations: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation CR is defined according to the modified IWG criteria for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered non-responders
Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Platelet Transfusion IndependenceFrom first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.The post baseline platelet transfusion independence rate was calculated as the percentage of participants who achieved platelet transfusion independence post Baseline. Platelet transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 consecutive days with no platelet transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut--off date, whichever occurred earlier.

Countries

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants were enrolled at 76 sites globally. The study is currently ongoing; the results reported below include the primary analysis for efficacy which was conducted after 133 deaths occurred (data cut-off date of 15 February 2019), and an unplanned 6-month follow-up update for overall survival and safety (15 August 2019 cut-off date).

Pre-assignment details

Participants with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were randomized to one of two treatment arms in a 1:2 ratio (placebo + low-dose cytarabine \[LDAC\] or venetoclax + LDAC). Randomization was stratified by AML status (secondary, de novo), age (18 - \< 75, ≥ 75) and region (United States \[US\], European Union \[EU\], China, Japan, rest of world).

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)
Participants received matching placebo to venetoclax orally once a day (QD) plus cytarabine 20 mg/m² subcutaneously on Days 1 to 10 of each 28-day cycle.
68
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)
Participants received venetoclax 600 mg orally once a day plus cytarabine 20 mg/m² subcutaneously on Days 1 to 10 of each 28-day cycle.
143
Total211

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyOngoing1240

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlacebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Total
Age, Continuous76.0 years76.0 years76.0 years
Age, Customized
18 to < 65 years
9 Participants11 Participants20 Participants
Age, Customized
65 to < 75 years
19 Participants50 Participants69 Participants
Age, Customized
≥ 75 years
40 Participants82 Participants122 Participants
AML Status
De novo
45 Participants85 Participants130 Participants
AML Status
Secondary
23 Participants58 Participants81 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
20 Participants39 Participants59 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African American
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
47 Participants102 Participants149 Participants
Region
China
6 Participants9 Participants15 Participants
Region
European Union
26 Participants56 Participants82 Participants
Region
Japan
9 Participants18 Participants27 Participants
Region
Rest of World
21 Participants47 Participants68 Participants
Region
United States
6 Participants13 Participants19 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
29 Participants65 Participants94 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
39 Participants78 Participants117 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
54 / 6899 / 142
other
Total, other adverse events
65 / 68135 / 142
serious
Total, serious adverse events
42 / 6895 / 142

Outcome results

Primary

Overall Survival (OS)

Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death. Participants who had not died were censored at the date they were last known to be alive on or before the cutoff date. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology.

Time frame: From randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: The full analysis set included all randomized participants.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS)4.1 months
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS)7.2 months
p-value: 0.11495% CI: [0.524, 1.071]Log Rank
p-value: 0.10395% CI: [0.521, 1.061]Log Rank
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of Life

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core (EORTC QLQ-C30) consists of a Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QoL) scale, a Financial Difficulties scale, 5 functional scales (Cognitive, Social, Physical, Emotional, and Role Functioning), and 8 symptom scales/items (Fatigue, Insomnia, Appetite Loss, Pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspnea, and Nausea and Vomiting). The GHS/QoL scale includes 2 questions in which participants were asked to rate their overall health and overall quality of life during the past week on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 7 (excellent). The 2 scores were averaged and transformed to a scale from 0 to 100, where a high score represents a high QoL. A positive change from baseline indicates better quality of life.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 1 of Cycles 3, 5, 7, and 9

Population: Full analysis set with available data at Baseline and each time point

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 3 Day 11.941 scores on a scaleStandard Error 4.126
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 5 Day 12.627 scores on a scaleStandard Error 5.047
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 7 Day 13.481 scores on a scaleStandard Error 5.337
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 9 day 16.918 scores on a scaleStandard Error 6.642
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 9 day 113.299 scores on a scaleStandard Error 3.772
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 3 Day 14.857 scores on a scaleStandard Error 2.413
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 7 Day 110.599 scores on a scaleStandard Error 3.092
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Global Health Status / Quality of LifeCycle 5 Day 116.015 scores on a scaleStandard Error 2.853
Comparison: Cycle 3 Day 195% CI: [-6.23, 12.06]
Comparison: Cycle 5 Day 195% CI: [2.18, 24.59]
Comparison: Cycle 7 Day 195% CI: [-4.83, 19.06]
Comparison: Cycle 9 Day 195% CI: [-8.49, 21.26]
Comparison: A linear mixed effects regression model with a variable covariance structure was fitted to the longitudinal data (considering all time points) to test for differences between treatment arms.p-value: 0.085Linear Mixed Effects Regression Model
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7a

PROMIS Fatigue SF 7a is a seven-item questionnaire that assesses the impact and experience of fatigue over the past 7 days. All questions employ the following five response options: 1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, and 5 = Always. The PROMIS Fatigue 7a score is calculated as a T-score, which is a standardized score with a mean of 50 (based on the average for the United States general population) and a standard deviation (SD) of 10. Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. A decrease in score (negative change from Baseline) indicates improvement in fatigue; the minimum important difference used in this study was 3 points.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 1 of Cycles 3, 5, 7, and 9

Population: Full analysis set with available data at baseline and each time point

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 3 Day 11.567 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.855
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 5 Day 1-0.336 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.307
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 7 Day 1-3.818 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.314
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 9 day 1-3.453 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.811
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 9 day 1-5.101 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.606
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 3 Day 1-2.940 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.093
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 7 Day 1-4.625 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.354
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (SF) 7aCycle 5 Day 1-5.259 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.308
Comparison: Cycle 3, Day 195% CI: [-8.6, -0.41]
Comparison: Cycle 5 Day 195% CI: [-10.03, 0.19]
Comparison: Cycle 7 Day 195% CI: [-5.98, 4.36]
Comparison: Cycle 9 day 195% CI: [-7.94, 4.64]
Comparison: A linear mixed effects regression model with a variable covariance structure was fitted to the longitudinal data (considering all time points) to test for differences between treatment arms.p-value: 0.126Linear Mixed Effects Regression Model
Secondary

Event-free Survival (EFS)

Event-free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the date of progressive disease (PD), confirmed morphologic relapse from CR or CRi, treatment failure (failure to achieve CR, CRi or morphologic leukemia free state (MLFS) after at least 6 cycles of study treatment), or death from any cause, assessed by the investigator according to the modified IWG criteria. PD: * \> 50% increase in marrow blasts (minimum 15% increase required if blasts \< 30% at baseline); or persistent marrow blast \> 70% for ≥ 3 months; without at least a 100% improvement in ANC to an absolute level \> 0.5 × 10⁹/L, and/or platelets to \> 50 × 10⁹/L non-transfused; or * 50% increase in peripheral blasts to \> 25 × 10⁹/L; or * New extramedullary disease Participants with no events prior to the cut-off date were censored at their last assessment date; participants with no events prior to post-treatment therapy initiated before the cut-off date were censored on the start date of post-treatment therapy.

Time frame: From randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15, 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Event-free Survival (EFS)2.0 months
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Event-free Survival (EFS)4.7 months
p-value: 0.00295% CI: [0.416, 0.817]Log Rank
p-value: 0.00395% CI: [0.43, 0.839]Log Rank
Secondary

Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation Subgroups

Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death. Participants who had not died were censored at the date they were last known to be alive on or before the cutoff date. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Overall survival was analyzed in participants with the following molecular markers: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS (Feline McDonough Sarcoma)-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation

Time frame: From randomization until the primary analysis cut-off date of February 15, 2019; the median follow-up time was 12.0 months (range: 0.2-17.0) in the placebo arm and 12.0 months (range: 0.1-17.6) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: The full analysis set; participants in each mutation subgroup

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation SubgroupsIDH1/2 mutation9.0 months
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation SubgroupsFLT3 mutation9.8 months
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation SubgroupsIDH1/2 mutation10.8 months
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival (OS) by Mutation SubgroupsFLT3 mutation5.9 months
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission

The complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) at any time during the study as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the International Working Group (IWG) for AML. CR is defined as no morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red blood cell transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission7.4 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission27.3 percentage of participants
p-value: <0.001Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission and Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Initiation of Cycle 2

The percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission (CR) or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) before initiation of Cycle 2 assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is a derived response based on bone marrow blast and hematology lab values, achieved when when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1-week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Cycle 1, 28 days

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission and Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Initiation of Cycle 24.4 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission and Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Initiation of Cycle 230.8 percentage of participants
p-value: <0.001Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi)

The composite complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) at any time during the study as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the International Working Group (IWG) for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 10³/μL (1,000/μL), platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL (100,000/μL), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, the CRi criteria are met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi)13.2 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi)47.6 percentage of participants
p-value: <0.001Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response

The percentage of participants with complete remission or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery AND minimal residual disease (MRD) as assessed by the investigator. Response was based on the modified IWG response criteria for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria are met. MRD response (at lowest-point MRD value) was defined as having less than 10-³ residual blasts per leukocyte measured in the bone marrow, per European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations. Participants who had no disease or MRD assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response1.5 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response5.6 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.162Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: 0.277Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Initiation of Cycle 2

The composite complete remission rate is defined as the percentage of participants with complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) before initiation of Cycle 2, assessed by the investigator. Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and absolute neutrophil count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, red cell transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except for RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria are met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Cycle 1, 28 days

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Initiation of Cycle 22.9 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Initiation of Cycle 234.3 percentage of participants
p-value: <0.001Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation Subgroup

Response was based on physical examination, bone marrow results and hematology values according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML: CR: No morphologic evidence of AML and ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRi: All criteria as CR except for residual neutropenia \< 10³/μL or thrombocytopenia \< 10⁵/μL. If all criteria for CR are met except RBC transfusion independence, CRi criteria is met. Participants who had no IWG disease assessments were considered to be non-responders. Response was analyzed in participants with the following mutations: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set participants in each mutation subgroup

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation SubgroupIDH1/2 mutation33.3 percentage of participants
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation SubgroupFLT3 mutation44.4 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation SubgroupIDH1/2 mutation57.1 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Incomplete Blood Count Recovery (CR + CRi) by Mutation SubgroupFLT3 mutation45.0 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh)

The percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission (CR) or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) at any time point during the study assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the revised guidelines by the IWG for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC count ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is a derived response based on bone marrow blast and hematology lab values, achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh)14.7 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh)46.9 percentage of participants
p-value: <0.001Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response

The percentage of participants with complete remission or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) AND MRD response as assessed by the investigator. CR is defined according to the modified IWG response criteria for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, and bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count of \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count of \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to the hematology lab collection. MRD response (at lowest-point MRD value) was defined as less than 10-³ residual blasts per leukocyte measured in the bone marrow, per ELN recommendations. Participants who had no disease or MRD assessments were considered to be non-responders.

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response1.5 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response5.6 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.162Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: 0.277Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation Subgroup

The percentage of participants who achieved a complete remission or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery assessed by the investigator for participants with the following mutations: * Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutation * FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation CR is defined according to the modified IWG criteria for AML as no morphologic evidence of AML, ANC ≥ 10³/μL, platelets ≥ 10⁵/μL, RBC transfusion independence, bone marrow with \< 5% blasts, absence of circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary disease. CRh is achieved when the following criteria are met: * Bone marrow with \< 5% blasts and * Peripheral blood neutrophil count \> 0.5 × 10³/μL and * Peripheral blood platelet count \> 0.5 × 10⁵/μL and * A 1 week platelet transfusion-free period prior to hematology lab collection. Participants with no disease assessments were considered non-responders

Time frame: Response was assessed at the end of Cycle 1 and every 3 cycles thereafter to the end of treatment. Median treatment duration at the 15 February 2019 cut-off date was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in each group respectively.

Population: Full analysis set participants in each mutation subgroup

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation SubgroupIDH1/2 mutation33.3 percentage of participants
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation SubgroupFLT3 mutation44.4 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation SubgroupIDH1/2 mutation57.1 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Complete Remission or Complete Remission With Partial Hematologic Recovery (CR + CRh) by Mutation SubgroupFLT3 mutation45.0 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Platelet Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline

The rate of conversion was calculated as the percentage of participants who were post-baseline platelet transfusion independent among participants who had a platelet transfusion within 8 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug (i.e. were transfusion dependent at Baseline). Platelet transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 days with no platelet transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.

Time frame: From first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis participants who were platelet transfusion dependent at Baseline

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Platelet Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline12.5 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Platelet Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline30.2 percentage of participants
95% CI: [-0.4, 35.8]
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Platelet Transfusion Independence

The post baseline platelet transfusion independence rate was calculated as the percentage of participants who achieved platelet transfusion independence post Baseline. Platelet transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 consecutive days with no platelet transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut--off date, whichever occurred earlier.

Time frame: From first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Platelet Transfusion Independence32.4 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Platelet Transfusion Independence47.6 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.0495% CI: [1.4, 29]Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: 0.039Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion Independence

The post baseline red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence rate was calculated as the percentage of participants who achieved RBC transfusion independence post baseline. RBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 consecutive days with no RBC transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.

Time frame: From first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion Independence17.6 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With Post Baseline Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion Independence40.6 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.00195% CI: [10.8, 35]Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With RBC Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline

The rate of conversion was calculated as the percentage of participants who were post-baseline RBC transfusion independent among participants who had an RBC transfusion within 8 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug (i.e. were transfusion dependent at Baseline). RBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of at least 56 days with no RBC transfusion after the first dose of study drug and on or before the last dose of study drug plus 30 days, or disease progression, or confirmed morphological relapse, or death, or the data cut-off date, whichever occurred earlier.

Time frame: From first dose of study drug until 30 days after last dose up to the data cut-off date of 15 February 2019; Median time on treatment was 1.7 months (range: 0.1-14.2) in the placebo arm and 3.9 months (range: 0.0-17.1) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis set participants who were RBC transfusion-dependent at Baseline

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With RBC Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline15.1 percentage of participants
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Percentage of Participants With RBC Transfusion Independence Among Those Who Were Transfusion Dependent at Baseline37.5 percentage of participants
95% CI: [9, 35.8]
Post Hoc

Overall Survival After an Additional 6-Months Follow-up

Overall survival is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death. Participants who had not died were censored at the date they were last known to be alive on or before the cutoff date. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology.

Time frame: From randomization until the 6-month follow-up analysis cut-off date of August 15, 2019; the median follow-up time was 17.7 months (range: 0.2-20.8) in the placebo arm and 17.5 months (range: 0.1-23.5) in the venetoclax arm.

Population: Full analysis set

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Placebo + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival After an Additional 6-Months Follow-up4.1 months
Venetoclax + Low Dose Cytarabine (LDAC)Overall Survival After an Additional 6-Months Follow-up8.4 months
p-value: 0.0495% CI: [0.503, 0.985]Log Rank
p-value: 0.04995% CI: [0.514, 1]Log Rank

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 21, 2026