Experimental MDS combo trial halted early – what we know
NCT ID NCT04878432
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 study tested adding sabatolimab, an experimental immunotherapy, to standard chemotherapy drugs (azacitidine, decitabine, or oral decitabine) in 39 adults with intermediate to very high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The main goal was to check safety, and the trial also looked at how many patients achieved complete remission within 12 months. The study was terminated early, so the full picture is limited, but the data collected helps understand the combination's safety and potential effectiveness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- sabatolimab (MBG453) plus a hypomethylating agent (azacitidine, decitabine, or oral decitabine/cedazuridine)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option for people with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by improving remission rates.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 39 participants, so results are limited. It is unclear if sabatolimab adds meaningful benefit over standard therapy, and side effects are possible.
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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39 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2022
- Finished
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Sep 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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18 to 99 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.
Key inclusion criteria: 1. Signed informed consent was obtained prior to participation in the study. 2. Age ≥ 18 years at the date of signing the informed consent form (ICF). 3. Morphologically confirmed diagnosis of a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) primary or secondary based on 2016 WHO classification by Investigator assessment with one of the following prognostic risk categories, based on the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R).. Note: MDS diagnosis history were recorded in the CRF: * Very high (\> 6 points) * High (\> 4.5 to ≤ 6 points) * Intermediate (\> 3 to ≤ 4.5 points) 4. Not suitable at the time of Screening for immediate myeloablative/chemotherapy or HSCT based on Investigator assessment of age, comorbidities, local guidelines, institutional practice (any or all of these). 5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1 or 2. 6. AST and ALT ≤ 3 × upper limit of normal (ULN). 7. Total bilirubin ≤ 2 × ULN (except in the setting of isolated Gilbert syndrome). 8. Estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (estimation based on modification of diet in renal disease formula, by local laboratory). 9. Patient was able to communicate with the Investigator and had the ability to comply with the requirements of the study procedures. Key exclusion criteria 1. Prior exposure to TIM-3 directed therapy at any time. Prior therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2), cancer vaccines were allowed only if the last dose of the drug was administered more than 4 months prior to enrollment. 2. Previous treatment for intermediate, high or very high risk MDS (based on IPSS-R) with chemotherapy or other antineoplastic agents including lenalidomide and hypomethylating agent (HMAs) such as decitabine or INQOVI (oral decitabine) or azacitidine (patients who had up to 1 cycle of HMAs were included). However, previous treatment with hydroxyurea was permitted. 3. Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) including acute promyelocytic leukemia and extra-medullary acute myeloid leukemia based on WHO 2016 classification. 4. Diagnosis of Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), or primary or secondary myelofibrosis based on 2016 WHO classification. 5. History of organ transplant or allogenic HSCT. 6. Patients with prior malignancy, except: 1. Patients with history of lower risk Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated by supportive care (e.g., growth factors, transforming growth factor- beta agents) or untreated were eligible. 2. Patients with history of lower risk MDS who were treated adequately with lenalidomide and then failed were eligible. 3. Patients with history of adequately treated malignancy for which no anticancer systemic therapy (namely chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery) was ongoing or required during the course of the study. Patients who were receiving adjuvant therapy such as hormone therapy were eligible. 7. Patients with MDS based on 2016 WHO classification with revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) ≤ 3.
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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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Advent Health Orlando
Orlando, Florida, 32803, United States
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Arizona Oncology Associates
Tucson, Arizona, 85745, United States
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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Duke Cancer Institute
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
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Mayo Clinic Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, 85054, United States
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Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York, New York, 10029-6574, United States
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SCRI-Colorado Blood Cancer Institute
Denver, Colorado, 80218, United States
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Texas Oncology San Antonio USO
San Antonio, Texas, 78240, United States
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Tisch Hospital NYU Langone
New York, New York, 10016, United States
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Uni Of TX MD Anderson Cancer Cntr
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Uni of Massachusetts Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, United States
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University Hospitals Of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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University Of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
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Yale University School Of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States
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