Dose Escalation/ Expansion Study of CA-4948 as Monotherapy in Patients With Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

NCT ID: NCT04278768

Last Updated: 2025-08-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Total Enrollment

366 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-07-06

Study Completion Date

2026-04-01

Brief Summary

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This is a multicenter, open-label, Phase 1/2a dose escalation and expansion study of orally administered emavusertib (CA-4948) monotherapy in adult patients with AML or higher- risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (hrMDS).

Patients enrolling in the Phase 1 dose escalation of the study must meet one of the following criteria prior to consenting to the study:

* Relapse/refractory (R/R) AML with FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) mutations who have been previously treated with a FLT3 inhibitor
* R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) or U2AF1
* R/R hrMDS with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1)
* Number of pretreatments: 1 or 2

The Phase 2a Dose Expansion will be in 3 Cohorts of patients:

1. R/R AML with FLT3 mutations who have been previously treated with a FLT3 inhibitor;
2. R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1; and
3. R/R hrMDS (Revised International Prognostic Scoring System \[IPSS-R\] score \> 3.5) with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1.

All patients above have had ≤ 2 lines of prior systemic anticancer treatment. In previous versions of this protocol there was a Phase 1b portion of the study, in which patients with AML or hrMDS received CA-4948 in combination with venetoclax. This part of the study is no longer open for enrollment.

Detailed Description

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The primary objective of the Phase 1 portion of the study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) for emavusertib in monotherapy in patients with AML, intermediate-2, high risk, or every high risk MDS based on the safety and tolerability, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and Pharmacokinetic (PK)/Pharmacodynamic (PD) findings.

The primary objective of the Phase 1b portion of the study is to determine MTD and RP2D for emavusertib in combination with azacitidine (AZA) in treatment naïve patients with hrMDS or in combination with venetoclax (VEN) in R/R patients with AML or hrMDS after first line treatment based on the safety and tolerability, DLTs and PK and pharmacodynamic findings. Note, this portion of the study is no longer enrolling patients.

The primary objective of the Phase 2a portion of the study (emavusertib monotherapy expansion) is to assess anti-cancer activity of CA-4948 at the RP2D in patients with R/R AML with FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) mutations, or patients with R/R hrMDS or R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1.

Emavusertib is formulated as tablets for twice daily oral administration. Each treatment cycle will be 28 days in length and repeated in the absence of toxicity. Patients who tolerate emavusertib may continue to receive emavusertib until progression of disease, intolerable toxicity, lack of clinical benefit, withdrawal from the trial, or study termination.

The emavusertib starting dose level will be 200 milligrams (mg) twice daily (BID) which was determined to be safe, capable of achieving relevant levels of drug exposure as well as demonstrating signs of biologic activity and clinical efficacy in an ongoing study (Study CA-4948-101). For phase 1, emavusertib is taken daily for 28 days of a 28 day cycle. For Phase 1b, emavusertib is taken daily for 21 days of a 28 day cycle in combination with venetoclax.

Venetoclax will be administered at 100 mg orally (Day 1) per the product label at the same time each day with a ramp up over 3 days to 400 mg for 21 days of the 28-day Cycle. Second and subsequent cycles start with the target dose level.

In each of the Phase 1/1b cohorts, three patients with AML or MDS were enrolled at the designated dose. If none of the first 3 patients experience a DLT during the first cycle, patients may be enrolled into the next higher dose level. If 1 patient out of the first 3 experiences a DLT, the dose level may be expanded with an additional 3 patients. If 2 or 3 patients out of the first six experienced a DLT, this will be considered a DLT rate above the MTD (\> 33%), and additional enrollment will proceed at a lower dose level. Any adverse reaction that led to dose reduction or discontinuation is considered a DLT unless the adverse reaction is clearly and solely related to disease.

The RP2D will be determined by the Clinical Safety Committee (CSC) in consultation with the Sponsor, considering all aspects of safety, tolerability, biologic activity, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy in the trial population. The intent of the RP2D is to provide a dose and schedule that will maximize the opportunity for clinical benefit, while minimizing the risk of toxicity. The RP2D may be below the MTD. The CSC may request enrollment of additional patients at any previously-explored dose level in order to make an appropriate RP2D or MTD determination.

The expansion phase will begin once the RP2D from Phase 1 Dose Escalation phase has been identified. There will be 3 Cohorts and patients will be assigned to each Cohort based on baseline disease:

1. R/R AML with FLT3 mutations who have been previously treated with a FLT3 inhibitor; or
2. R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1; or
3. R/R hrMDS (IPSS-R score \> 3.5) with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1

All patients have had ≤ 2 lines of prior systemic anticancer treatment. This part of the study is no longer open for enrollment.

Conditions

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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SEQUENTIAL

Phase 1 and 1b follow a 3 + 3 design where 3 patients will be enrolled at the starting dose level. If none of the first 3 patients experience a DLT during the 1st cycle, patients may be enrolled into the next higher dose level. If 1 patient out of the first 3 experiences a DLT, the dose level may be expanded with an additional 3 patients. If 2 or 3 patients out of the first six experience a DLT, this will be considered a DLT rate above the max tolerated dose (\> 33%), and additional enrollment will proceed at a lower dose level. The Phase 2a Dose Expansion will be enrolled after the RP2D is determined from Phase 1. It will be in 3 Cohorts of patients: (1) R/R AML with FTLT-3 mutation who have been previously treated with a FLT3 inhibitor; (2) R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1; and (3) R/R hrMDS (IPSS-R \>3.5) with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1; AND all patients have ≤ 2 lines of prior systemic anti-cancer therapy.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Emavusertib (CA-4948) dose escalation

Patients receive emavusertib monotherapy BID daily. Cycles repeat every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Emavusertib

Intervention Type DRUG

Emavusertib is formulated as a tablet for oral administration for BID dosing in consecutive 28-day cycles. Emavusertib is a novel small molecule inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). IRAK4 kinase plays an essential role in toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathways and these pathways are frequently dysregulated in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and AML/MDS malignancies.

Emavusertib dose escalation + Venetoclax

The starting dose for emavusertib will be 200 mg BID for 21 days of a 28-day Cycle. Anticipated emavusertib doses will be 200 and 300 mg BID. Venetoclax will be administered at 100 mg orally (Day 1) per the product label at the same time each day with a ramp up over 3 days to 400 mg for 21days of a 28-day Cycle. Second and subsequent cycles start with target dose level.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Venetoclax

Intervention Type DRUG

Ventoclax is B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor. Venetoclax will be administered at 100 mg orally (Day 1) per the product label at the same time each day with a ramp up over 3 days to 400 mg for 21days of a 28-day Cycle. Second and subsequent cycles start with target dose level.

This arm of the study has been closed to enrollment.

Emavusertib

Intervention Type DRUG

Emavusertib is formulated as a tablet for oral administration for BID dosing for 21 days (Days 1-21) of a 28-day Cycle.

Emavusertib monotherapy dose expansion

The Expansion phase will begin once the RP2D from Phase 1 Dose Escalation phase has been identified. There will be 3 Cohorts and patients will be assigned to each Cohort based on baseline disease.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Emavusertib

Intervention Type DRUG

Emavusertib is formulated as a tablet for oral administration for BID dosing in consecutive 28-day cycles. Emavusertib is a novel small molecule inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). IRAK4 kinase plays an essential role in toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathways and these pathways are frequently dysregulated in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and AML/MDS malignancies.

Interventions

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Emavusertib

Emavusertib is formulated as a tablet for oral administration for BID dosing in consecutive 28-day cycles. Emavusertib is a novel small molecule inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). IRAK4 kinase plays an essential role in toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathways and these pathways are frequently dysregulated in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and AML/MDS malignancies.

Intervention Type DRUG

Venetoclax

Ventoclax is B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor. Venetoclax will be administered at 100 mg orally (Day 1) per the product label at the same time each day with a ramp up over 3 days to 400 mg for 21days of a 28-day Cycle. Second and subsequent cycles start with target dose level.

This arm of the study has been closed to enrollment.

Intervention Type DRUG

Emavusertib

Emavusertib is formulated as a tablet for oral administration for BID dosing for 21 days (Days 1-21) of a 28-day Cycle.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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CA-4948 CA-4948

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Males and females ≥18 years of age
2. Life expectancy of at least 3 months
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of ≤1
4. Cytomorphology based confirmed diagnosis of MDS or AML (as per World Health Organisation \[WHO\] 2016 classification) with the following characteristics.

Phase 1 Dose Escalation (Monotherapy)

• AML (primary or secondary, including treatment-related) after failing at least 1 standard treatment (may include chemotherapy, re induction therapy or stem cell transplantation).

OR

• Higher-risk R/R MDS that are considered resistant/refractory following at least 2 to 3 cycles of hypomethylating agent (HMA) or evidence of early progression

Phase 2a Dose Expansion (Monotherapy)

Patients with:
* R/R AMLwith FLT3 mutations who have been previously treated with a FLT3 inhibitor
* R/R AML with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1
* R/R hrMDS (IPSS-R score \> 3.5) with spliceosome mutations of SF3B1 or U2AF1
* Number of prior treatments: 1 or 2
5. Acceptable organ function at screening
6. Ability to swallow and retain oral medications
7. Negative serum pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential
8. Women of childbearing potential and men who partner with a woman of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive methods for the duration of the study and for 180 days after the last dose of emavusertib
9. Willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the trial
10. Able to undergo serial bone marrow sampling and peripheral blood sampling

Exclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL, M3)
2. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) leukemia
3. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (Allo-HSCT) within 60 days of the first dose of emavusertib, or clinically significant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) requiring ongoing up titration of immunosuppressive medications prior to start of emavusertib
4. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
5. Any prior systemic anti-cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drug therapy, etc., received within 3 weeks (or 5 half-lives) prior to start of emavusertib.

Localized radiation or surgical resection of skin cancers allowed.
6. Use of any investigational agent within 3 weeks or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, prior to start of emavusertib
7. Presence of an acute or chronic toxicity resulting from prior anti-cancer therapy, with the exception of alopecia that has not resolved to Grade ≤ 1 within 7 days prior to start of emavusertib.
8. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation of emavusertib
9. Major surgery, other than diagnostic surgery, \<28 days from the start of emavusertib; minor surgery \<14 days from the start of emavusertib
10. Patients with active advanced malignant solid tumors
11. Known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive or have an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related illness
12. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) positive or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection \<6 months prior to start of emavusertib unless viral load is undetectable, or HCV with cirrhosis
13. Uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 6 months prior to CA-4948, New York Heart Association Class II or greater congestive heart failure, or left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50% by echocardiogram or multi-gated acquisition scan, serious arrhythmias uncontrolled on treatment, clinically significant pericardial disease, cardiac amyloidosis, congenital long QT syndrome, or QTc with Fridericia's correction (QTcF) that is unmeasurable or \> 450 milliseconds (msec) on Screening electrocardiogram (ECG)
14. Gastrointestinal disease or disorder that could interfere with the swallowing, oral absorption, or tolerance of emavusertib
15. Pregnant or lactating
16. Systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infection that is not controlled
17. Any other severe, acute, or chronic medical, psychiatric or social condition, or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk of trial participation or emavusertib administration
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Curis, Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida, United States

Site Status ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Winship Cancer Institute

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

University of Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Karmanos Cancer Institute

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

Oncology Hematology West, PC dba Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

University of Rochester Medical Center

Rochester, New York, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

Albert Einstein Medical College

The Bronx, New York, United States

Site Status ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Novant Health Hematology - Forsyth

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - James Cancer Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Vseobecna Fakultni nemocnice v Praze

Prague, , Czechia

Site Status COMPLETED

Service d'hématologie clinique CHU de Nice

Nice, , France

Site Status COMPLETED

APHP - Sorbonne Universite

Paris, , France

Site Status COMPLETED

APHP - Hopital Saint Louis

Paris, , France

Site Status COMPLETED

Marien Hospital Dusseldorf; Klinik fur Onkologie und Hamatologie, Palliativmedizin

Düsseldorf, , Germany

Site Status COMPLETED

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)

Hamburg, , Germany

Site Status COMPLETED

Universitatsklinikum Leipzig; Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I

Leipzig, , Germany

Site Status COMPLETED

Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universitat Munchen

München, , Germany

Site Status COMPLETED

Universitatsklinikum Munster

Münster, , Germany

Site Status COMPLETED

Soroka University MC

Beersheba, , Israel

Site Status COMPLETED

Edith Wolfson Medical Center

Holon, , Israel

Site Status COMPLETED

Hadassah University MC

Jerusalem, , Israel

Site Status COMPLETED

Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Croce e Carle

Cuneo, , Italy

Site Status COMPLETED

Instituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori"

Meldola, , Italy

Site Status COMPLETED

Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne Osrodek Badan Klinicznych Wczesnych Faz

Gdansk, , Poland

Site Status COMPLETED

University Hospital in Krakow

Krakow, , Poland

Site Status COMPLETED

Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau (Neuvo Hospital)

Barcelona, , Spain

Site Status COMPLETED

Hospital Universitaro del a Princesa

Madrid, , Spain

Site Status COMPLETED

MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid

Madrid, , Spain

Site Status COMPLETED

Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio

Seville, , Spain

Site Status COMPLETED

Countries

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United States Czechia France Germany Israel Italy Poland Spain

Central Contacts

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Ahmed Hamdy, MD

Role: CONTACT

617-503-6500

Other Identifiers

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CA-4948-102

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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