~9 spots leftby Mar 2026

Talazoparib + Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

(PARPAML Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+9 other locations
JL
Overseen byJennifer L Kamens, MD
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 1
Recruiting
Sponsor: Stanford University
Must not be taking: Chemotherapy, Radiation, Immunotherapy, Biologics
Disqualifiers: Down syndrome, APL, JMML, others
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing the safety of using talazoparib with standard chemotherapy in cancer patients. Talazoparib works by stopping cancer cells from repairing themselves, which could make chemotherapy more effective. The study aims to find the safest dose combination and see if this approach helps patients. Talazoparib is FDA approved for certain types of breast cancer that have spread and were previously treated with chemotherapy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does require that you are not receiving any other cancer therapies. You should discuss your current medications with the trial team to see if they are compatible with the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination Talazoparib + Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

Research shows that topotecan, one of the drugs in the combination, has been effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when used with other chemotherapy drugs, achieving complete remission in some patients. However, the effectiveness of the specific combination of Talazoparib with these drugs for AML is not directly supported by the provided studies.12345

What safety data exists for topotecan in combination with other drugs?

Topotecan, when used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, has been studied for safety in various cancers. The main safety concern is myelosuppression (a decrease in bone marrow activity), particularly neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell), which limits the dose that can be safely given.26789

What makes the drug combination of Talazoparib, Gemcitabine, and Topotecan unique for treating acute myeloid leukemia?

This drug combination is unique because it includes Talazoparib, a PARP inhibitor that may enhance the effects of chemotherapy by preventing cancer cells from repairing their DNA, combined with Gemcitabine and Topotecan, which have shown antitumor activity in various cancers. This approach explores a novel mechanism of action compared to traditional treatments for acute myeloid leukemia.12345

Research Team

JL

Jennifer L Kamens, MD

Principal Investigator

Stanford Universiy

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children and young adults up to 21 years old with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or similar conditions. They should have had a stem cell transplant at least 60 days ago, be recovered from previous treatments, and not have uncontrolled infections or other cancer therapies ongoing. Pregnant individuals or those with certain leukemia subtypes are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My leukemia has the same genetic features as when first diagnosed.
It's been over 24 hours since my last mild cancer treatment.
It's been over 2 weeks since my last intense cancer treatment, and I feel mostly recovered.
See 16 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently undergoing or planning to start any cancer treatment soon.
Pregnant subjects or those unwilling to use an effective method of birth control.
People with Down syndrome cannot participate in the study.
See 5 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Talazoparib is administered orally on Days 1 to 5 concurrently with topotecan and a single dose of gemcitabine on Day 1 of a 28-day cycle for 1 or 2 cycles. Subjects on dose level 5 receive an additional 5-day treatment course of talazoparib on days 15-19.

4-8 weeks
Multiple visits (in-person)

Dose Expansion

Preliminary estimates of efficacy are obtained through a dose expansion cohort receiving the maximum tolerated dose from the dose escalation phase.

28 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Gemcitabine (Anti-metabolite)
  • Talazoparib (PARP Inhibitor)
  • Topotecan (Topoisomerase I inhibitor)
Trial OverviewThe study tests the safety and effectiveness of Talazoparib combined with chemotherapy drugs Gemcitabine and Topotecan in pediatric AML patients. It's a Phase 1 trial that will first find the highest dose patients can tolerate without severe side effects before assessing how well it works.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Talazoparib with topotecan and gemcitabineExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Talazoparib will be administered orally on Days 1 to 5 concurrently with topotecan and a single dose of gemcitabine on Day 1 of 28 day cycle for 1 or 2 cycles. Subjects on dose level 5 will receive an additional 5 day treatment course of talazoparib on days 15-19.

Gemcitabine is already approved in Canada, Japan for the following indications:

🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Gemzar for:
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Non-small cell lung cancer
🇯🇵
Approved in Japan as Gemzar for:
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Non-small cell lung cancer

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Cincinnati Children's HospitalCincinnati, OH
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer CenterMadison, WI
Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical CenterHershey, PA
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA
More Trial Locations
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
2527
Recruited
17,430,000+

Dr. Richard A. Miller

Stanford University

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

Stanford University, MD

Dr. Robert Schott

Stanford University

Chief Medical Officer since 2021

University of Michigan, MD

Jennifer Lauren Kamens

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
30+

Norman J. Lacayo

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
30+

Gateway for Cancer Research

Collaborator

Trials
47
Recruited
2,500+

Findings from Research

Irinotecan can be safely administered in combination with cytarabine (Ara-C) to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are refractory to or have relapsed after previous treatments, showing promising results in terms of safety and efficacy.
The treatment led to rapid cytoreduction in all courses, with two patients achieving complete remission, indicating that this combination therapy warrants further investigation for its effectiveness in AML.
Sequential administration of irinotecan and cytarabine in the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia.Minderman, H., O'Loughlin, KL., Smith, PF., et al.[2018]
Current frontline treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using ara-C and topoisomerase II agents achieve complete response rates of 70%, but long-term survival remains low at 25%.
Newer agents like nucleoside analogs and hypomethylating agents show promise, with combination therapies yielding higher complete response rates, particularly when used alongside traditional treatments like ara-C.
New chemotherapeutic agents in acute myeloid leukemia.Kantarjian, HM., Estey, EH., Keating, MA.[2013]
In a study involving 12 patients with relapsed or secondary acute myeloid leukemia, the combination of topotecan and cytarabine showed low extra-hematologic toxicity, indicating a relatively safe profile.
Despite the low toxicity, the treatment response was very poor, suggesting that this combination is not an effective option for these patients, and that incorporating additional agents may be necessary to improve outcomes.
The association of topotecan and cytarabine in the treatment of secondary or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.Pagano, L., Mele, L., Voso, MT., et al.[2013]

References

Phase I/II clinical study of topotecan and cytarabine in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. [2019]
Topotecan in combination chemotherapy. [2017]
Sequential administration of irinotecan and cytarabine in the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. [2018]
New chemotherapeutic agents in acute myeloid leukemia. [2013]
The association of topotecan and cytarabine in the treatment of secondary or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia. [2013]
Phase II study of weekly topotecan in patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer. [2013]
Long-term topotecan therapy in recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer. [2020]
Efficacy and toxicity of weekly topotecan in recurrent epithelial ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer. [2013]
Phase I study of topotecan in combination with temozolomide (TOTEM) in relapsed or refractory paediatric solid tumours. [2023]