Experimental myeloma drug tasquinimod tested in early trial – but study halted
NCT ID NCT04405167
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study tested a new drug called tasquinimod, alone or with standard chemotherapy, in 30 adults with multiple myeloma that had relapsed or become resistant. The main goal was to find a safe dose and check for side effects. The trial was terminated early, so results are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Tasquinimod (oral capsules), sometimes combined with ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with multiple myeloma that has come back or not responded to other therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 30 participants, now terminated. It was designed mainly to find a safe dose, not to prove effectiveness. The drug may cause side effects or not work as hoped.
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
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2020
- Finished
-
Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: 1. Signed informed consent 2. 18 years of age or older 3. Multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosed according to IMWG criteria 4. Measurable disease (this is defined differently in different arms) 5. Multiple myeloma relapsed or refractory to treatment (this is defined differently in different arms) 6. Meet certain clinical laboratory criteria 7. ECOG performance status ≤2 8. Life expectancy of at least 3 months 9. For women of childbearing potential, a negative serum or urine pregnancy test prior to study treatment. 10. For women who are not postmenopausal (12 months of amenorrhea) or surgically sterile (absence of ovaries and/or uterus): agreement to use two methods of contraception one of which must be highly effective 11. For men: agreement to use a barrier method of contraception for 1 month before start of study treatment, during the treatment period and for 6 months after the last dose of study treatment. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Failure to have fully recovered (i.e. ≤ Grade 1 toxicity) from the effects of prior chemotherapy (except for alopecia) 2. Active graft versus host disease 3. Treatment with any of the following: 1. Cytotoxic chemotherapy within 3 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment 2. Proteasome inhibitors, Imids, or monoclonal antibodies within 2 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment 3. Experimental therapy within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter 4. Systemic corticosteroids \>=10 mg prednisone or equivalent within 7 days prior to the initiation of study treatment 5. Radiotherapy within 7 days prior to initiating study treatment 6. Plasmapheresis within 4 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment 7. Tasquinimod at any time 4. Known central nervous system involvement by myeloma 5. Diagnosis of smoldering multiple myeloma 6. Diagnosis of POEMS syndrome (plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes) 7. Active plasma cell leukemia 8. Symptomatic primary (AL) amyloidosis 9. Diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative syndrome 10. Active other malignancy 11. Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to initiating study treatment 12. Evidence of severe or currently uncontrolled cardiovascular condition 13. Ongoing or active systemic infection that requires systemic antibiotic or parenteral anti-infective therapy 14. Active tuberculosis, active hepatitis A, B or C virus infection, or known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive 15. History of pancreatitis 16. History of malabsorption or other condition that would interfere with absorption of study drugs 17. Systemic treatment within 14 days prior to the initiation of study treatment with moderate or strong inhibitor or moderate or strong inducer of cytochrome P-3A4 (CYP3A4) 18. Need for ongoing therapy drug substances of narrow therapeutic range that are metabolized mainly by CYP3A4 (alfentanil, fentanyl, quinidine, astemizole, terfenadine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, cisapride, ergotamine) 19. Need for ongoing therapy with drug substances of narrow therapeutic range metabolized mainly by CYP1A2 (duloxetine, alosetron, theophylline, tizanidine, ondansetron) 20. Ongoing treatment with warfarin, unless the INR is \<=3.0. 21. For subjects enrolled on the IRd combination arms, prior dose-limiting toxicity with lenalidomide or ixazomib or absolute contraindication to concomitant thrombosis prophylaxis 22. Peripheral neuropathy grade ≥2 (NCI-CTCAE) 23. Known hypersensitivity to tasquinimod or any excipients in the study treatments 24. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women 25. Any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicate subject's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns or compliance with clinical study procedures 26. Prior inclusion in this study
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Multiple myeloma are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Cheap blood count ratios eyed as window into Myeloma's inflammatory grip
- Can a t-cell engager rescue myeloma that outsmarted CAR-T?
- Can myeloma treatment work without steroids?
- Double-Drug attack on Hard-to-Treat lymphomas
- Banking blood and bone marrow to decode plasma cell disorders
- Which scan sees hidden myeloma better: PET or MRI?