Comparing a new combination of medicines to the usual intensive chemotherapy treatment given to participants who have been recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia

ISRCTN ISRCTN12537955
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12537955
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) Nil known
Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) Nil known
Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) 1012553
Protocol serial number Nil known
Sponsor Didact Foundation
Funder Stemline Therapeutics
Submission date
16/09/2025
Registration date
08/12/2025
Last edited
08/12/2025
Recruitment status
Not yet recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study is for people with a type of cancer of the bone marrow called Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of a new combination of four medicines, tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine compared with the normal standard of care intensive chemotherapy treatment, in fit adults with newly diagnosed AML either aged 18-70 with high-risk AML or older adults (aged 50-70) with intermediate risk AML, with the aim of increasing the number of patients who can proceed to a potentially curative transplant.
There will be about 30 people taking part in the first part of this study (Part 1) and about 192 people taking part in the second part (Part 2), all patients will be from hospitals all over the UK. Patients in Part 1 will all receive the new combination of four medicines and in Part 2 will be assigned randomly to one of two groups (Arms A and B): Arm A will receive the standard of care intensive chemotherapy treatment (abbreviated to either DA, DA+GO, CPX351 (Vyxeos) or FLAG-Ida) and Part 2 Arm B will receive the new combination of four medicines for intensive treatment: tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine. Patients in both Arms will receive a minimum of two cycles of treatment. Patients will be recruited over approximately 15 months for Part 1 and 18 months for Part 2 and followed for up to 7 years. This study will consist of Screening, Study Treatment, Study Treatment Discontinuation, Long-Term Follow-Up and Survival Follow Up periods.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 years or older with Adverse risk AML, or aged 50 years or older with Intermediate risk AML .

What does the study involve?
Study design: The study design is based as closely as possible to the standard of care (SOC) pathway in this patient population; therefore the additional burden to patients as a result of being on the study is minimal. Only the following assessments are additional to SOC in both arms: bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) sample repeated at screening for translational studies; pregnancy test for females of childbearing potential at treatment discontinuation; quality of life (QoL) questionnaires at 4-6 timepoints during the study. To help minimise the impact of the baseline molecular genetic testing and measurable residual disease (MRD) disease assessment (using the BM and PB), a separate Informed Consent Form (ICF) can be used, either prior to or following the patient’s formal acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) diagnosis, to allow for these to be collected from the patient’s diagnostic samples and to avoid having to repeat them at screening. This was implemented following widespread discussions with the proposed investigational sites. Possible side effects to participants if they need an extra BM and PB sample at screening (above SOC) include: bleeding, bruising, infection, pain and tingling of the leg. The SOC Arm A treatment options were agreed following discussions with various UK consultant haematologists, to ensure this is a true reflection of the current UK patient population/treatment. Therefore, patients randomised to Arm A will receive the same treatment they would receive if they chose not to join the study. Careful consideration has been given through statistical methods to minimise the risk to patients. Power calculations have been utilised to calculate the minimum required sample size whilst maintaining statistical power.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits:
Not provided at time of registration
Risks:
Risk related to the IMP:
Arm A will receive the standard of care intensive chemotherapy treatment of daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA), DA and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (DA+GO), a combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine called CPX-351 (Vyxeos), or fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and idarubicin (FLAG-Ida). These treatments are abbreviated to DA, DA+GO, CPX351 (Vyxeos) or FLAG-Ida and since these treatments are standard of care, they reflect current UK patient population treatment risk.

Part 1 and Arm B will receive the new combination of four medicines for intensive treatment: tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine (TAG/VEN/LDAC/CLAD).

TAG: Very Common AE's include low blood platelet count, anaemia, changes in levels of minerals in the blood such as low albumin, Capillary leak syndrome which can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure (Hypotension), nausea, vomiting, fatigue and elevated transaminases (a sign of liver stress). Other AE's are listed in the PIS.

VEN: Common AEs in people treated with VEN include: increased risk of infection, lung problems, anaemia, changes in levels of minerals in the blood, such as high potassium and phosphate and low calcium, diarrhoea or constipation, feeling or being sick, and fatigue. Occasional AEs are detailed in the PIS.

LDAC - low dose cytarabine: Most common AE's are gastrointestinal undesirable effects like swallowing problems, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc. Cytarabine is toxic to the bone marrow, and causes haematological undesirable effects like anaemia. LDAC can also commonly give eye disorders and skin disorders like rashes.

CLAD Common AE's include fever, fatigue, nausea, rash, headache, and administration site reactions.

Potential risks and burdens are described in the PIS so that potential patients can clearly understand what is involved if they consent to take part. Supportive medications will be given as per local practice.

Where is the study run from?
Accelerating Clinical Trials Ltd (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2025 to June 2032

Who is funding the study?
Stemline Therapeutics (Netherlands)

Who is the main contact?
Amy.Desa@act4patients.com

Lay summary under review with external organisation

Contact information

Mrs Amy De Sa
Public, Scientific

48 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1JF
United Kingdom

Phone +44 7707 138207
Email Amy.Desa@act4patients.com
Dr Charles Craddock
Principal investigator

Centre for Clinical Haematology
University Hospitals Birmingham
Birmingham
B15 2TH
United Kingdom

Email charles.craddock@uhb.nhs.uk

Study information

Primary study designInterventional
Study designInterventional randomized parallel group controlled trial
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Scientific titleA phase I/II open-label cohort evaluating the safety and efficacy of a tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cladribine, cytarabine induction regimen, leading into a randomised open-label cohort evaluating safety and efficacy of a tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cladribine, cytarabine induction regimen compared with intensive chemotherapy in fit adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia
Study acronymACT-AML-901
Study objectivesPrimary objectives:
Part 1 - To assess the safety and tolerability of TAG/CLAD/VEN/LDAC chemotherapy and the clinical activity of the combination.
Part 2 - To compare the efficacy of TAG/CLAD/VEN/LDAC therapy (experimental arm) with standard of care IC (control arm) as measured by Event Free Survival.

Secondary objective:
To compare and evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of TAG/CLAD/VEN/LDAC therapy (experimental arm) versus standard of care.
Ethics approval(s)

Submitted 23/09/2025, North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee (NHSBT Newcastle Blood Donor Centre, Holland Drive, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4NQ, United Kingdom; +44 207 104 8077; newcastlenorthtyneside1.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 25/NE/0182

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNewly diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
InterventionThe ACT-AML-901 study is a prospective, multi-centre, two part open-label, Phase I/II, 2:1 randomized study comparing tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine combination therapy with the current standard of care induction chemotherapy schedules chemotherapy schedules in fit adults, with either newly diagnosed European LeukaemiaNet (ELN) 2022 adverse risk AML (18 to 70 years of age) or ELN 2022 intermediate-risk AML (50 to 70 years of age).
There will be about 30 participants enrolled into Part 1(Experimental) of this study, and 192 participants randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (2:1), Part 2 Arm B (Experimental) or Arm A (Control)/

Arm A (control arm):
Two cycles, up to 42 days each, of standard-of-care intensive induction chemotherapy, with either daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA), DA with gemtuzumab ozogamicin (DA+GO), CPX-351 (Vyxeos) or FLAG-Ida (fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and idarubicin.
Patients who achieve < 5% bone marrow blasts after 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy should be considered candidates for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) as definitive therapy.
Patients may receive an additional 1-2 cycles of standard-of-care consolidation chemotherapy (high dose cytarabine or Vyxeos) prior to allo-SCT as clinically indicated.
The above medications are defined as Non-Investigational Medicinal Products (NIMPs) in the context of this study as these are only being given as per standard of care to newly diagnosed AML patients.

Part 1 and Part 2 Arm B (Experimental arm):
Two cycles, up to 42 days each, of tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine combination induction therapy.
Patients who achieve <5% bone marrow blasts after 2 cycles of tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cytarabine and cladribine induction chemotherapy should be considered candidates for allo-SCT.
Patients may receive additional cycles of venetoclax and azacitidine therapy prior to allo-SCT as clinically indicated.

The above medications are defined as Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) in the context of this study

A total of 222 adults with newly diagnosed AML who fulfil the eligibility criteria will be recruited.

Patients will be recruited over approximately 15 months for Part 1 and 18 months for Part 2 and followed for up to 7 years from the date of randomisation of the first patient. The entire study is expected to last approximately 7 years.

All patients who achieve < 5% bone marrow blasts after 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy will be followed for survival until death, withdrawal of consent, loss to follow-up, completion of survival follow-up, or study termination by the sponsor, whichever occurs first.
Patients who do not achieve < 5% bone marrow blasts after 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy will be withdrawn from the study.

Follow-up of all patients will be performed as follows: monthly during year 1 post allo-SCT, every 2 months during year 2 post allo-SCT and 6-monthly during year 3 onwards post allo-SCT.
Intervention typeDrug
PhasePhase II
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Tagraxofusp, cladribine, venetoclax, cytarabine
Primary outcome measure(s)

Superiority of the tagraxofusp, venetoclax, cladribine, cytarabine combination therapy versus standard of care intensive chemotherapy as measured by event free survival (EFS). The planned primary analysis will take place when 115 EFS events have occurred, or all patients have been followed for a minimum of 1 year, which is expected to occur approximately 30 months from the date of randomisation of the first patient into the study.

Key secondary outcome measure(s)

Safety, efficacy and tolerability of TAG/CLAD/VEN/LDAC combination therapy (experimental arm) versus standard of care IC (control arm) as measured by:
1. Overall Survival
2. Complete response (CR)
3. Composite CR (CR/CRi) rate
4. The overall response rate (defined as the proportion of patients with either CR, CRi, or morphologic leukaemia-free state [MLFS])
5. Proportion of participants achieving MRD negativity (CRMRD-)
6. Duration of CR
7. Duration of CR/CRi
8. Day 60 treatment-related mortality
9. Incidence of > CTCAE Grade 3 non-haematological adverse events (AEs)
10. Duration of hospitalisation in participants prior to allo-SCT
11. Proportion of participants proceeding to allo-SCT
12. Day 100 transplant-related mortality (TRM) in participants proceeding to allograft
13. 2-year overall survival (OS) and 2-year relapse-free survival (RFS) in allografted participants
14. 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) in allografted participants
15. Transfusion independence
16. Time to transfusion independence

17. Health related QoL throughout the study

Completion date01/06/2032

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit100 Years
SexAll
Target sample size at registration222
Key inclusion criteria1. Adverse risk AML according to European Leukaemia Net (ELN) 2022 criteria (Döhner, et al., 2022), aged 18 years or older
2. Intermediate risk AML according to ELN 2022 criteria (Döhner, et al., 2022), aged 50 years or older
3. Evidence of CD123 expression on myeloid blast population
4. The participant is deemed by the treating physician to be fit for intensive chemotherapy
5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0–2
6. Adequate renal, liver, and cardiac function
7. Participant agrees to use an adequate and medically accepted method of contraception throughout the study and for the required contraceptive period if they or their sexual partner are female-born of childbearing potential
8. Negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to randomisation
Key exclusion criteria1. Have received previous cytotoxic chemotherapy (intensive or non-intensive), targeted therapies, hypomethylating agents, or venetoclax for the treatment of AML — except:
- Hydroxycarbamide to control elevated white blood cell (WBC) count
- Lenalidomide, Imetelstat, or luspatercept for the treatment of Myelodysplasia
2. Blastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
3. Clinical suspicion of active central nervous system (CNS) involvement with AML
4. Presence of a FLT3-ITD mutation or an NPM1 mutation during initial rapid diagnostic evaluation
5. Presence of a concurrent malignancy requiring active treatment (see Section 4.2 for exceptions)
6. Diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)
7. Known newly diagnosed or uncontrolled HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection
8. Significant disease or medical conditions, as assessed by the Investigator, which would substantially increase the risk-benefit ratio of participating in the study, including but not limited to:
- History of myocardial infarction within 6 months of randomisation
- Presence of unstable angina, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA), uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, significant active infections, and congestive heart failure (NYHA Class III–IV) within 3 months of randomisation
9. History of Wilson’s disease or other copper-metabolism disorder
10. Pre-existing liver impairment with known cirrhosis
11. Concomitant use of:
- Any strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors, except posaconazole or voriconazole
- Any strong or moderate CYP3A inducers
- Preparations containing St John’s Wort
12. Pregnant or lactating participants
13. Participants who are unable to swallow tablets whole
14. Participants receiving any live vaccine within 4 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment
15. Participants known to require vaccination with a live vaccine during the treatment period or for 3 months after the end of study treatment
Date of first enrolment30/01/2026
Date of final enrolment28/07/2027

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

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England

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryPublished as a supplement to the results publication
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication

Editorial Notes

06/12/2025: ISRCTN received notification of combined HRA/MHRA approval for this trial on 06/12/2025.
16/09/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by NHS HRA.