This phase II trial compares the effectiveness of azacitidine and venetoclax to a donor (allogeneic) stem cell transplant in treating patients 65 or older with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Azacitidine works by switching off a protein called deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase. This action stops cancer cells from growing and dividing. Venetoclax is in a class of medications called B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking Bcl-2, a protein needed for cancer cell survival. An allogeneic stem cell transplant, sometimes called a bone marrow transplant, involves healthy stem cells from a donor that are infused into a patient. These stem cells may help the patient's bone marrow make more healthy cells and platelets and may help destroy any remaining cancer cells. Giving azacitidine and venetoclax may be more effective than an allogeneic stem cell transplant in preventing AML from coming back in patients older than 65.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT06903702.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. Compare 1-year relapse free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) versus (vs) those treated with maintenance azacitidine and venetoclax (AZA/VEN) in older patients (65 years and older) with acute myeloid leukemia who achieve a measurable residual disease (MRD) negative complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after induction with 2 cycles of azacitidine and venetoclax.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. Estimate overall survival (OS), duration of response and non-relapse mortality (NRM) among older patients with AML who are treated with allo-HCT vs maintenance AZA/VEN.
II. Assess health-related quality of life in patients treated with allo-HCT versus AZA/VEN maintenance. Assess treatment-related time toxicity in patients treated with allo-HCT versus AZA/VEN maintenance.
III. Compare the health care costs associated with maintenance AZA/VEN versus allo-HCT.
IV. Assess the impact of fitness, as measured by geriatric assessment, on outcomes.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. Assess kinetics of MRD eradication and reappearance in patients on maintenance AZA/VEN versus allo-HCT by multiparameter flow cytometry and molecular testing.
II. Study genetic and immunologic determinants of relapse in patients who receive maintenance AZA/VEN versus allo-HCT.
OUTLINE: Patients who achieve CR or CRi, MRD negativity after 2 cycles of AZA/VEN are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.
ARM I: Starting 28-42 days after second cycle of standard of care (SOC) AZA/VEN, patients continue to receive azacitidine subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV) once daily (QD) on days 1-7 and venetoclax orally (PO) QD on days 1-28. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 1 year (12 cycles) in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Additionally, patients undergo echocardiography (ECHO) at pre-treatment and blood sample collection, and bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy throughout the study.
ARM II: Starting 28-42 days after second cycle of SOC AZA/VEN, patients undergo allo-HCT. Additionally, patients undergo ECHO at pre-treatment and blood sample collection, and bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy throughout the study.
After completion of study treatment, patients who received azacitidine and venetoclax are followed up at 30 days, and patients who received a stem cell transplant are followed up at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 and 13 months.
Lead OrganizationMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Principal InvestigatorRoni Tamari