Can a new drug erase the last traces of leukemia?
NCT ID NCT05701215
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding venetoclax, a pill taken daily for 12 months, can reduce the number of leukemia stem cells that remain in the bone marrow of people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are already in deep molecular remission on standard TKI therapy. The goal is to see if venetoclax can target these persisting stem cells, which are thought to be the reason the disease can return after stopping TKI treatment. The study will also monitor quality of life and changes in BCR::ABL1 transcript levels over time. Participants must be adults with chronic-phase CML and typical BCR::ABL1 transcripts, and must have stored DNA from their initial diagnosis.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- venetoclax
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a way to deepen remissions in CML, potentially allowing more patients to safely stop their daily TKI therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase study, so results may not apply broadly. Venetoclax can cause side effects like low blood counts and infections, and it is unclear if it will effectively target the remaining leukemia stem cells.
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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10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2023
- Finished
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May 2026
- 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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18 years and older
- 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: 1. Patients with diagnosis of chronic phase CML with cytogenetic confirmation of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome 2. Ph negative cases or patients with variant translocations who are BCR::ABL1 positive in multiplex PCR are also eligible 3. Typical b2a2 and/or b3a2 BCR::ABL1 transcripts 4. Subject must be ≥ 18 years of age 5. Stored DNA from initial diagnosis (prior TKI treatment) for BCR::ABL1 breakpoint analysis 6. BCR::ABL1 transcript level according to the international scale (IS) of MR4 or better which has been confirmed three times within the past 13 months and was assessed by an IS-certified reference laboratory, such as of the University Jena or another MR4-certified laboratory in Germany 7. At least 3 years of TKI therapy 8. Patients who failed to discontinue TKI in a prior discontinuation attempt are still eligible if they fulfill criteria 6 after retreatment with TKI 9. WHO performance status 0-2 10. Adequate end organ function as defined by: * Total bilirubin (TBL) \< 3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN); patients with Gilbert's syndrome may only be included if TBL ≤ 3.0 x ULN or direct bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN, * Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) ≥ 30 millilitres per minute (mL/min) as calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula, Serum lipase ≤ 1.5 x ULN. For serum lipase \> ULN 1.5 x ULN, value must be considered not clinically significant and not associated with risk factors for acute pancreatitis. 11. Patients must have the following laboratory values within normal limits or corrected to within normal limits with supplements: * Potassium (potassium increase of up to 6.0 mmol/L is acceptable if associated with CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), * Total calcium (corrected for serum albumin); (calcium increase of up to 12.5 mg/dl or 3.1 mmol/L is acceptable if associated with CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), * Magnesium (magnesium increase of up to 3.0 mg/dL or 1.23 mmol/L if associated with CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), * For patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (CrCl ≥ 30 mL/min and \<90 mL/min) - potassium, total calcium (corrected for serum albumin) and magnesium should be within normal limits or corrected to within normal limits with supplements. 12. Women of childbearing age must use a highly effective method of contraception while using venetoclax. Women using hormonal contraceptives should also use a barrier method. 13. Negative pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential 14. Subject must voluntarily sign and date an informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A-Inhibtors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir) is contraindicated 2. Concomitant use of moderate CYP3A-Inhibitors (e.g., ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, verapamil) should be avoided. 3. Grapefruit products, Seville oranges, and starfruit (carambola) should be avoided during treatment with venetoclax as they contain inhibitors of CYP3A 4. Concomitant use of venetoclax with P-gp and BCRP inhibitors 5. Concomitant use of venetoclax with strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin) or moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., bosentan, efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil, nafcillin) should be avoided 6. Concomitant use of preparations containing St. John´s wort 7. Patients with severe renal impairment (Crea-Clearance \< 30 ml/min) or on dialysis 8. Patients with severe hepatic impairment 9. Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding, or females of reproductive potential not employing an effective method of birth control. Female patients must agree to employ an effective barrier method of birth control throughout the study and for and for at least 30 days after ending venetoclax treatment 10. Known impaired cardiac function 11. Impaired gastrointestinal function or disease that may alter the absorption of study drug 12. Patients who have undergone major surgery ≤ 2 weeks prior to starting study drug or who have not recovered from side effects of such therapy 13. Active or uncontrolled infections at the time of enrolment 14. Known HIV sero-positivity or known active hepatitis B or C infection (HIV testing is not required) 15. Participation in another clinical study with other investigational drugs within 14 days prior to enrolment 16. Any medical, mental, psychological or psychiatric condition that in the opinion of the investigator would not permit the patient to complete the study or understand the patient information 17. Subject has acute leukemia 18. Subject has known active CNS involvement. 19. Hypersensitivity to venetoclax or any component of the formulation
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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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Uniklinik der RWTH Aachen
Aachen, 52074, Germany
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Universitätsklinikum Jena
Jena, 07747, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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