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Testing the Addition of Ruxolitinib to the Usual Treatment (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors) for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

A Randomized Phase II Study of Ruxolitinib (NSC-752295) in Combination With BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Patients With Molecular Evidence of Disease

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03654768
Enrollment
81
Registered
2018-08-31
Start date
2018-10-24
Completion date
2028-07-01
Last updated
2025-12-18

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

Conditions

Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, BCR-ABL1 Positive

Brief summary

This randomized phase II trial studies how well ruxolitinib phosphate, and bosutnib, dasatinib, imatinib or nilotinib, work in treating patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia cells produce a protein called BCR-ABL. The BCR-ABL protein helps chronic myeloid leukemia cells to grow and divide. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as bosutinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib, stop the BCR-ABL protein from working, which helps to reduce the amount of chronic myeloid leukemia cells in the body. Ruxolitinib is a different type of drug that helps to stop the body from making substances called growth factors. Chronic myeloid leukemia cells need growth factors to grow and divide. The addition of ruxolitinib to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor may or may not help reduce the amount of chronic myeloid leukemia cells in the body.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To compare the rate of molecular response 4.5 (MR4.5) after 12 months of combination therapy with ruxolitinib phosphate (ruxolitinib) plus a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) (bosutinib, dasatinib, imatinib or nilotinib) versus a TKI alone, based on local polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to measure BCR-ABL transcripts in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients with molecular evidence of disease. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the frequency and severity of toxicities of each regimen in this patient population. II. To estimate progression free survival and overall survival of each regimen in this patient population. ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES: I. To describe patterns of MR4.5 and molecular response 4.0 (MR4.0) attainment and failure over the 3, 6, 9, and 12-month time points of each regimen in this patient population. II. To evaluate drug compliance based on patient reported drug intake calendars in this patient population. III. To describe the kinetics of response in this patient population (as measured by quantitative BCR-ABL/BCR ratio) in both arms over the 3, 6, 9, and 12-month time points. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients receive bosutinib orally (PO) daily or dasatinib PO daily or nilotinib PO twice daily (BID) or imatinib PO daily on days 1-90. Treatment repeats every 90 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM II: Patients receive ruxolitinib phosphate PO BID on days 1-90, and bosutinib PO daily or dasatinib PO daily or nilotinib PO BID or imatinib PO daily on days 1-90. Treatment repeats every 90 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for 2 years, and then annually up to 5 years.

Interventions

DRUGBosutinib

Given PO

DRUGDasatinib

Given PO

OTHERLaboratory Biomarker Analysis

Correlative studies

DRUGNilotinib

Given PO

DRUGRuxolitinib

Given PO

DRUGImatinib

Given PO

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH
SWOG Cancer Research Network
Lead SponsorNETWORK

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must have a diagnosis of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia without any history of progression to accelerated or blast phase CML; no new bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is needed to prove diagnosis prior to randomization; however, documentation stating the patient is in chronic phase is required * Patients must have detectable BCR-ABL transcripts measured by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR at a clinical laboratory improvement act (CLIA)-approved laboratory and reported on the international scale (IS) with a value of \> 0.0032% IS and =\< 1.0% IS within 21 days prior to randomization; the RT-PCR assay must have the sensitivity to detect a 4.5 log reduction in BCR-ABL transcripts from 100% IS (0.0032% IS or lower) * Patients must have been receiving TKI treatment for CML for at least 12 months prior to randomization. Hydroxyurea prior to initiation of TKI is allowed. * Patients must be currently receiving treatment with bosutinib (within the allowable dose range of 200-500 mg daily), nilotinib (within the allowable dose range of 150-400 mg BID or a cumulative daily dose of 300-800 mg), dasatinib (within the allowable dose range of 40-140 mg daily), or imatinib (within the allowable dose range of 300-400 mg daily); they must have received their current TKI for a minimum of 6 months prior to randomization and must be expected to remain on the same TKI for the next 12 months * Patient must not have a history of resistance to any prior TKI drug; if patient has received more than one TKI, the reason for changing treatment must have been something other than resistance or inadequate response to the prior TKI (for example, intolerance to the prior TKI) and the treatment change must have occurred \>= 6 months prior to randomization. * Patients must not be receiving any other investigational agents * Patients must have complete history and physical examination within 28 days prior to randomization * If clinically indicated, patients must have corrected Fridericia's correction formula (QTcF) interval \< 500 ms (by Fridericia calculation) on a 12-lead electrocardiography (EKG) within 7 days prior to randomization * Platelets \>= 100,000/mm\^3 (100.0 x 10\^9/L) within 7 days prior to randomization * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \> 1,000/mm\^3 (1.0 x 10\^9/L) within 7 days prior to randomization * Hemoglobin \>= 8 g/dL within 7 days prior to randomization * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) =\< 2.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (IULN) within 7 days prior to randomization * Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x IULN within 7 days prior to randomization (unless the patient has a known diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome) * Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 x IULN within 7 days prior to randomization * Prior malignancy is allowed providing it does not require concurrent therapy; exception: active hormonal therapy is allowed * Patients must not be pregnant or nursing due to the teratogenic potential of the drugs used on this study; women of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to randomization; women/men of reproductive potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method during treatment and for 30 days after discontinuation of study drug; a woman is considered to be of reproductive potential if she has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months; in addition to routine contraceptive methods, effective contraception also includes heterosexual celibacy and surgery intended to prevent pregnancy (or with a side-effect of pregnancy prevention) defined as a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or bilateral tubal ligation; however, if at any point a previously celibate patient chooses to become heterosexually active during the time period for use of contraceptive measures outlined in the protocol, he/she is responsible for beginning contraceptive measures * Patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) are eligible provided they meet all other eligibility criteria and have undetectable HIV viral loads on their most recent viral load test which must have been performed in the last 6 months * Specimens (peripheral blood) must be collected and submitted to a CLIA-approved laboratory, within 21 days prior to randomization; BCR-ABL transcripts must be measured using RT-PCR and results must be reported using the international scale; the RT-PCR assay must have the sensitivity to detect a 4.5 log reduction in BCR-ABL transcripts from 100% IS (must be able to detect 0.0032% IS or lower) * Patients must be offered participation in submission of specimens for central BCR-ABL quantification and banking for future specimens; this submission is highly encouraged as an important protocol endpoint; with patient's consent, specimens must be collected and submitted, within 21 days prior to randomization * Patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must sign and give written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines * As a part of the Oncology Patient Enrollment Network (OPEN) registration process the treating institution's identity is provided in order to ensure that the current (within 365 days) date of institutional review board approval for this study has been entered in the system

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Molecular Response 4.5 (MR4.5)At 12 monthsThe participants BCR-ABL/BCR ratio must be at least 31,623 times (4.5 logs) smaller than100% IS, i.e., must demonstrate a 4.5-log reduction relative to 100% IS. When reported on the International Scale (IS), this response is equivalent to a value of ≤ 0.0032%. Values are reported as percentages with a higher rate being better then a lower rate.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-free SurvivalFrom the date of randomization on study until the first of treatment failure/loss of response, progression, or death from any cause, assessed up to 5 yearsProgression-free survival is measured from the date of randomization on study until the first of treatment failure/loss of response, progression, or death from any cause. Observations are censored at the date of last follow-up for patients last known to be alive without report of treatment failure/loss of response or progression.
Number of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsDuration of treatment and follow-up until death or 5 years post registration.Only adverse events that are possibly, probably or definitely related to study drug are reported. CTCAE Version 5.0 was used for all AE reporting.
MR4.5 AttainmentUp to 12 monthsWill be summarized descriptively
Overall SurvivalFrom the date of randomization until death from any cause with observations censored at the date of last contact for patients last known to be alive, assessed up to 3 yearsOverall survival will be measured for all patients from the date of randomization until death from any cause with observations censored at the date of last contact for patients last known to be alive. The results were presented as 3-year OS estimate.
Drug ComplianceUp to 5 yearsWill be summarized descriptively, results presented as number of participants that were fully compliant for all cycles that they received treatment.
BCR-ABL/BCR ComparisonUp to 5 yearsQuantitative RT-PCR measurement of BCR-ABL transcript levels on the International Scale (IS), expressed as log₁₀ ratios of BCR-ABL to ABL. Mean and standard deviation of log₁₀ BCR-ABL (IS) are reported at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for each treatment arm. Lower values represent deeper molecular response. This scale ranges from 0 to -5, with a more negative number corresponding to a better outcome.
Molecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) AttainmentUp to 12 monthsWill be summarized descriptively

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

81 participants were assessed for eligibility, 6 were ineligible (3 had no bone marrow at diagnosis, 2 had TKI switch due to resistance, and 1 was on TKI for less than a year). 75 participants were randomized, 38 to the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 to the TKI + Ruxolitinib arm.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Single Agent TKI
Patients receive bosutinib PO daily or dasatinib PO daily or nilotinib PO BID or imatinib PO daily on days 1-90. Treatment repeats every 90 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
38
TKI + Ruxolitinib
Patients receive ruxolitinib phosphate PO BID on days 1-90, and bosutinib PO daily or dasatinib PO daily or nilotinib PO BID or imatinib PO daily on days 1-90. Treatment repeats every 90 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
37
Total75

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event16
Overall StudyDid not receive protocol therapy11
Overall StudyLoss of response22
Overall StudyNon-compliance01
Overall StudyRefusal not related to toxicity15

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSingle Agent TKITKI + RuxolitinibTotal
Age, Continuous55 years47 years50 years
ECOG PS
PS 0
26 Participants25 Participants51 Participants
ECOG PS
PS 1
12 Participants11 Participants23 Participants
ECOG PS
PS 2
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
24 Participants29 Participants53 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
10 Participants7 Participants17 Participants
Length on TKI
TKI: 1-4 years
24 Participants21 Participants45 Participants
Length on TKI
TKI: 4-10 years
14 Participants16 Participants30 Participants
Molecular Response at Randomization
MMR
21 Participants20 Participants41 Participants
Molecular Response at Randomization
MR20
14 Participants11 Participants25 Participants
Molecular Response at Randomization
MR40
3 Participants6 Participants9 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race
Asian
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race
Black
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race
Pacific Islander
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race
Unknown
3 Participants6 Participants9 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race
White
33 Participants29 Participants62 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants16 Participants25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
29 Participants21 Participants50 Participants
TKI and Randomization
Bosutinib
4 Participants4 Participants8 Participants
TKI and Randomization
Dasatinib
22 Participants24 Participants46 Participants
TKI and Randomization
Imatinib
5 Participants2 Participants7 Participants
TKI and Randomization
Nilotinib
7 Participants7 Participants14 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 381 / 37
other
Total, other adverse events
31 / 3735 / 36
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 374 / 36

Outcome results

Primary

Rate of Molecular Response 4.5 (MR4.5)

The participants BCR-ABL/BCR ratio must be at least 31,623 times (4.5 logs) smaller than100% IS, i.e., must demonstrate a 4.5-log reduction relative to 100% IS. When reported on the International Scale (IS), this response is equivalent to a value of ≤ 0.0032%. Values are reported as percentages with a higher rate being better then a lower rate.

Time frame: At 12 months

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKIRate of Molecular Response 4.5 (MR4.5)3 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibRate of Molecular Response 4.5 (MR4.5)14 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.09Fisher Exact
Secondary

BCR-ABL/BCR Comparison

Quantitative RT-PCR measurement of BCR-ABL transcript levels on the International Scale (IS), expressed as log₁₀ ratios of BCR-ABL to ABL. Mean and standard deviation of log₁₀ BCR-ABL (IS) are reported at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for each treatment arm. Lower values represent deeper molecular response. This scale ranges from 0 to -5, with a more negative number corresponding to a better outcome.

Time frame: Up to 5 years

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Single Agent TKIBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison3-months-1.22 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.52
Single Agent TKIBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison6-months-1.30 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.62
Single Agent TKIBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison9-months-1.32 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.6
Single Agent TKIBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison12-months-1.26 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.55
TKI + RuxolitinibBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison12-months-1.52 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.68
TKI + RuxolitinibBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison3-months-1.37 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.6
TKI + RuxolitinibBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison9-months-1.47 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.68
TKI + RuxolitinibBCR-ABL/BCR Comparison6-months-1.48 Log₁₀ BCR-ABL RatioStandard Deviation 0.64
Secondary

Drug Compliance

Will be summarized descriptively, results presented as number of participants that were fully compliant for all cycles that they received treatment.

Time frame: Up to 5 years

Population: This population includes the 73 participants who were eligible and received at least one dose of study treatment. 37 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 36 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Single Agent TKIDrug Compliance36 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibDrug Compliance31 Participants
Secondary

Molecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment

Will be summarized descriptively

Time frame: Up to 12 months

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKIMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment3-Month Response16 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment9-Month Response18 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment6-Month Response13 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment12-Month Response11 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment6-Month Response24 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment3-Month Response24 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment12-Month Response19 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMolecular Rate 4.0 (MR 4.0) Attainment9-Month Response22 percentage of participants
Secondary

MR4.5 Attainment

Will be summarized descriptively

Time frame: Up to 12 months

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKIMR4.5 Attainment3-Month Response3 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMR4.5 Attainment6-Month Response3 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMR4.5 Attainment9-Month Response0 percentage of participants
Single Agent TKIMR4.5 Attainment12-Month Response3 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMR4.5 Attainment12-Month Response14 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMR4.5 Attainment3-Month Response8 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMR4.5 Attainment9-Month Response14 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibMR4.5 Attainment6-Month Response5 percentage of participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study Drugs

Only adverse events that are possibly, probably or definitely related to study drug are reported. CTCAE Version 5.0 was used for all AE reporting.

Time frame: Duration of treatment and follow-up until death or 5 years post registration.

Population: Participants who were eligible and received at least one dose of protocol treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsNeutrophil count decreased1 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsHeadache0 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsPancreatitis1 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsFatigue0 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsPericardial effusion1 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsHypertension1 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsRespiratory failure0 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsNausea0 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsVomiting0 Participants
Single Agent TKINumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsConstipation0 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsVomiting1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsConstipation1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsFatigue1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsHeadache1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsNausea1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsNeutrophil count decreased2 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsPancreatitis0 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsPericardial effusion0 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsRespiratory failure1 Participants
TKI + RuxolitinibNumber of Participants With Gr 3 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study DrugsHypertension0 Participants
Secondary

Overall Survival

Overall survival will be measured for all patients from the date of randomization until death from any cause with observations censored at the date of last contact for patients last known to be alive. The results were presented as 3-year OS estimate.

Time frame: From the date of randomization until death from any cause with observations censored at the date of last contact for patients last known to be alive, assessed up to 3 years

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKIOverall Survival100 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibOverall Survival97 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.3Log Rank
Secondary

Progression-free Survival

Progression-free survival is measured from the date of randomization on study until the first of treatment failure/loss of response, progression, or death from any cause. Observations are censored at the date of last follow-up for patients last known to be alive without report of treatment failure/loss of response or progression.

Time frame: From the date of randomization on study until the first of treatment failure/loss of response, progression, or death from any cause, assessed up to 5 years

Population: This population includes the 75 eligible and evaluable participants. 38 in the Single Agent TKI arm and 37 in the TKI + Ruxolitnib arm.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Agent TKIProgression-free Survival89 percentage of participants
TKI + RuxolitinibProgression-free Survival89 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.9Log Rank

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026