New drug combo shows promise for kids with transplant complication
NCT ID NCT03774082
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether adding the drug ruxolitinib to standard steroids helps children with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a complication after stem cell transplants. 46 children aged 28 days to 18 years took part. The main goal was to see how many had a complete or partial response by 7 months. Results are still being analyzed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ruxolitinib (a drug taken by mouth to reduce inflammation)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new treatment option for children with chronic graft-versus-host disease, helping control the condition and reduce symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with no placebo group, so results are preliminary. Ruxolitinib may not work for all children and can have side effects like infections or low blood counts.
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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46 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2020
- Finished
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Aug 2024
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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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28 days to 17 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: * Male or female subjects age ≥28 days and \<18 years at the time of informed consent. * Subjects who have undergone a successful alloSCT from any donor source (matched unrelated donor, sibling, haplo-identical) using bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, or cord blood. Recipients of myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning are eligible. * Subjects with diagnosed moderate to severe cGvHD according to NIH 2014 Consensus Criteria prior to Cycle 1 Day 1. Other possible diagnoses for clinical symptoms supporting cGvHD diagnoses must be excluded (e.g., infection, drug side effects, malignancy). Subjects must be either: * Treatment-naive cGvHD subjects that have not received any prior systemic treatment for cGvHD except for a maximum 72h of prior systemic corticosteroid therapy of methylprednisolone or equivalent after the onset of chronic GvHD. Subjects are allowed to have received prior systemic treatment for cGvHD prophylaxis (as long as the prophylaxis was started prior to the diagnosis of cGvHD). OR o Steroid-refractory moderate to severe cGvHD as per institutional criteria, or per physician decision in case institutional criteria are not available, and still receiving systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of cGvHD for a duration of \<18 months prior to Cycle 1 Day 1. In case the corticosteroids were previously interrupted due to response, the duration of \< 18 months applies to the last period of corticosteroid use. Exclusion Criteria: * SR-cGvHD subjects with a prior cGvHD treatment with a JAK1- or a JAK2- or a JAK1/2-inhibitor, except when the subject achieved complete or partial response and has been off JAK inhibitor treatment for at least 4 weeks prior to Cycle Day 1 or up to 5 times the half-life of the prior JAK inhibitor, whichever is longer. \* Subjects who initiated systemic calcineurin inhibitors (CNI; cyclosporine or tacrolimus) within 3 weeks prior to start of ruxolitinib on Cycle 1 Day 1. Note: systemic CNI are allowed when initiated \> 3 weeks from start of ruxolitinib. * Failed prior alloSCT within the past 6 months * Significant respiratory disease including subjects who are on mechanical ventilation or who have a resting oxygen saturation \< 90% by pulse-oximetry on room-air. * Impairment of gastrointestinal (GI) function (unrelated to GvHD) or GI disease (unrelated to GvHD) that may significantly alter the absorption of oral ruxolitinib (e.g., ulcerative diseases, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome or small bowel resection), * Cholestatic disorders, or unresolved sinusoidal obstructive syndrome/veno-occlusive disease of the liver (defined as persistent bilirubin abnormalities not attributable to cGvHD and ongoing organ dysfunction) * Presence of clinically active uncontrolled infection including significant bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic infection requiring treatment. * Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. * Evidence of uncontrolled hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) based on assessment done by Investigator or delegate. * Known allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to any of the study medications, excipients, or similar compounds. * History of bone disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, renal osteodystrophy, osteomyelitis, osteopenia, fibrous dysplasia, osteomalacia etc. prior to the underlying diagnosis which resulted in the alloSCT. * History of endocrine or kidney related growth retardation prior to the underlying diagnosis which resulted in the alloSCT. * Evidence of clinically active tuberculosis (clinical diagnosis per local practice) * Any corticosteroid therapy for indications other than cGvHD at doses \> 1 mg/kg/daymethylprednisolone (or equivalent prednisone dose 1.25 mg/kg/day) within 7 days of the screening visit. * History of progressive multifocal leuko-encephalopathy (PML). * Presence of severely impaired renal function
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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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Novartis Investigative Site
São Paulo, 04039 001, Brazil
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Novartis Investigative Site
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada
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Novartis Investigative Site
Prague, 150 06, Czechia
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Novartis Investigative Site
Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 600035, India
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Novartis Investigative Site
Pune, Maharashtra, 411004, India
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Novartis Investigative Site
Bangalore, 560099, India
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Novartis Investigative Site
Delhi, 110 085, India
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Novartis Investigative Site
Roma, RM, 00165, Italy
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Novartis Investigative Site
Nagoya, Aichi-ken, 466 8560, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Saitama, 330 8777, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Saint Petersburg, 197022, Russia
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Novartis Investigative Site
Bratislava, 833 40, Slovakia
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Novartis Investigative Site
Seoul, 03080, South Korea
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Novartis Investigative Site
Seoul, 05505, South Korea
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Novartis Investigative Site
Barcelona, Catalonia, 08035, Spain
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Novartis Investigative Site
Zurich, CH - 8032, Switzerland
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Novartis Investigative Site
Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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Novartis Investigative Site
Adana, 1330, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Novartis Investigative Site
Antalya, 07000, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Novartis Investigative Site
Antalya, 07070, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Stem cell infusions put to the test against a tough transplant complication
- Can adding rituximab improve remission in chronic GVHD?
- Can a new drug regimen beat the standard for stem cell transplant complications?
- Can a new pill tame the immune System's attack after stem cell transplants?
- One vitamin a pill before transplant: a new shield against a deadly complication?
- Can a new pill outperform standard care for a tough transplant complication?