Promising leukemia drug falls short in kids trial
NCT ID NCT03913559
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa) in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had low levels of remaining cancer cells (MRD) despite treatment. The drug targets CD22, a protein on leukemia cells, and delivers a potent toxin. Only 5 children were enrolled before the study was terminated early, limiting what can be learned about its effectiveness and safety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new option to clear remaining leukemia cells in children with high-risk B-ALL, potentially improving outcomes before or after transplant.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 5 participants, so results are very limited. The drug carries a risk of liver damage and veno-occlusive disease, especially after transplant.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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5 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2019
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Up to 21 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Age * Participants must be \< 22 years of age. Diagnosis * Participants must have B-ALL with persistent or rising MRD between 0.1 and 4.99% without extramedullary disease following at least two prior induction attempts, relapse or after hematopoietic stem cell transplant * Leukemia blasts demonstrating surface expression of CD22 Performance Level * Karnofsky or Lansky performance score ≥ 50% (corresponding to ECOG Score of ≥ 2). The Lansky performance score should be used for participants \< 16 years and the Karnofsky performance score for participants ≥ 16 years. Prior Therapy * Patients must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior anticancer therapy, defined as resolution of all such toxicities to ≤ Grade 2 or lower per the inclusion/exclusion criteria prior to entering this study. * At least 14 days must have elapsed since the completion of cytotoxic therapy, with the exception of standard maintenance therapy and steroids. * At least 7 days must have elapsed since completion of therapy with a biologic agent. For agents that have known adverse events occurring beyond 7 days after administration, this period prior to enrollment must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. * At least 3 half-lives must have elapsed since prior therapy that included a monoclonal antibody with the exception of blinatumomab. Patients must have been off blinatumomab infusion for at least 7 days and all drug related toxicity must have resolved to Grade 2 or lower as outlined in the inclusion/exclusion criteria. * At least 42 days must have elapsed since CAR-T cell therapy. * Participant has received ≤ 1 prior bone marrow transplant. * At least 90 days have elapsed since bone marrow transplant and participant is off immune suppression for ≥ 2 weeks, if applicable with no evidence of active GVHD. * At least 2 weeks must have elapsed since local XRT (small port); ≥ 3 months must have elapsed if prior cranial or craniospinal XRT was received, if ≥ 50% of the pelvis was irradiated, or if TBI was received; ≥ 6 weeks must have elapsed if other substantial bone marrow irradiation was given. Organ Function Requirements * Adequate renal function defined as glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 cc/min/1.73m2 or serum creatinine based on age as follows: * Age: \<6 months; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 0.4 (male, female); Age: 6 months to \<1 year; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 0.5 (male, female); Age: 1 to \< 2 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 0.6 (male, female); Age: 2 to \< 6 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 0.8 (male, female); Age: 6 to \<10 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/ dL): 1 (male, female); Age: 10 to \<13 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.2 (male, female); Age: 13 to \<16 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.5 (male), 1.4 (female); Age: ≥ 16 years; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.7 (male), 1.4 (female) * Adequate hepatic function defined as: * Direct bilirubin ≤ 1.4 mg/dL (if total bilirubin \> 1.4 mg/dL) and * AST or ALT ≤ 3 x ULN for age. * Adequate cardiac function defined as shortening fraction of ≥ 27% or ejection fraction ≥ 45%. Exclusion Criteria: * History of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) of any severity. * Concurrent chemotherapy or targeted anti-cancer agents, other than intrathecal therapy. * Patient with concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, may impair participation in the study or the evaluation of safety and/or efficacy. * Known HIV infection or active hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen-positive) or C (defined as hepatitis C antibody-positive). * Pregnant or lactating (female participant of childbearing potential must have negative serum or urine pregnancy test required within 7 days prior to start of treatment). * Male or female participant of reproductive potential must agree to use appropriate methods of contraception for the duration of study treatment and for at least 30 days after last dose of protocol treatment. * Inability or unwillingness of research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Rady Children's Hospital San Diego
San Diego, California, 92123, United States
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States
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