Azacytidine + Romidepsin for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

(PTCL Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+4 other locations

Overseen by Enrica Marchi, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Virginia

Must not be taking: CYP3A4 inhibitors, QT prolongation drugs

Disqualifiers: HIV, Hepatitis, CNS metastases, others

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if a combination of two drugs, romidepsin and azacytidine, is safe and effective for patients with aggressive Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma that hasn't responded to other treatments. The goal is to see if this combination works better than using just one drug alone. Romidepsin is approved for certain types of T-cell lymphoma and has shown positive results in various T-cell cancers.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you must stop all current medications, but you cannot use certain drugs like CYP3A4 inhibitors or systemic steroids above a certain dose. You also need to avoid other investigational agents within 2 weeks of joining the trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Azacytidine + Romidepsin for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?

Research shows that Azacytidine, when combined with Romidepsin, was well tolerated and showed clinical activity in adults with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia, with some patients achieving complete or partial remission. This suggests potential effectiveness in other blood-related cancers, like Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for Azacytidine and Romidepsin in humans?

Azacytidine has been studied in various cancers, showing side effects like nausea, vomiting, and low white blood cell counts, with some liver issues. Romidepsin combined with Azacytidine was generally well tolerated in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, with a specific dosing schedule established for safety. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

What makes the drug combination of Azacytidine and Romidepsin unique for treating peripheral T-cell lymphoma?

The combination of Azacytidine and Romidepsin is unique because it uses two types of epigenetic modifiers, which are particularly effective in treating peripheral T-cell lymphoma, showing a high response rate compared to other treatments. This combination leverages the synergistic effect of a histone deacetylase inhibitor and a hypomethylating agent, offering a novel approach for this condition. ^{9 10 11 12 13}

Research Team

Enrica Marchi, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Virginia

Eligibility Criteria

Adults (18+) with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma that's come back or hasn't responded to treatment can join this trial. They should have tried no more than three treatments before, and if they've had a stem cell transplant, it counts as one line of therapy. Participants need good organ function, manageable heart conditions, not be HIV-positive or pregnant, and agree to use contraception.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

My T-cell lymphoma has returned or didn't respond to treatment after one therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

My blood pressure is controlled and has been stable on medication for at least a month.

I have a genetic heart condition known as long QT syndrome.

I am not taking any medications that strongly affect liver enzymes.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the combination of oral Azacytidine and Romidepsin or an investigator's choice of single-agent treatment

72 weeks

Multiple visits as per treatment cycle

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

18 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Azacytidine (Anti-metabolites)
• Romidepsin (Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor)

Trial Overview The study is testing if combining two drugs—oral azacytidine and romidepsin—is better for treating PTCL compared to the standard single-agent therapies chosen by the investigator (belinostat, pralatrexate or gemcitabine). Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination treatment or one of the standard therapies.

Participant Groups

Group I: AZA and ROMI Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Oral Azacytidine (AZA) (300 mg daily on days 1-14) plus Romidepsin (ROMI) (14 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 4 hours +/- 30 minutes on days 8, 15 and 22 of a 35-day cycle.

Group II: Investigator's Choice Active Control 4 Interventions

Investigator's choice to include: ROMI, 14 mg/m2 IV infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28 day cycle, belinostat,1000 mg/m2 IV infusion on days 1-5 every 21 days, pralatrexate, 30 mg/m2 IV push once weekly for 6 weeks of a 7-week treatment cycle, or gemcitabine, 1000 mg/m2 IV infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Virginia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

802

Recruited

1,342,000+

James E. Ryan

University of Virginia

Chief Executive Officer since 2018

J.D. from Harvard Law School

Nikki Hastings

University of Virginia

Chief Medical Officer since 2018

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from University of Virginia

Celgene

Industry Sponsor

Trials

649

Recruited

130,000+

Top Products

>- **Revlimid (lenalidomide)**: Multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and mantle cell lymphoma treatment. - **Pomalyst (pomalidomide)**: Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treatment. - **Otezla (apremilast)**: Psoriatic arthritis treatment. - **Thalomid (thalidomide)**: Erythema nodosum leprosum and multiple myeloma treatment.

Jay Backstrom

Celgene

Chief Medical Officer since 2016

MD

Mark Alles

Celgene

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

Bachelor's degree from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

Findings from Research

The ROMAZA trial established that the maximum tolerated dose of the combination therapy of romidepsin (ROM) and azacitidine (AZA) for treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is ROM 12 mg/m2 on Days 8 and 15, along with AZA 75 mg/m2 for a 7/28 day cycle.

Out of 38 patients treated at this maximum tolerated dose, 23.7% achieved a response by Cycle 6, with 7 patients reaching complete remission and 2 achieving partial response, indicating the potential efficacy of this combination therapy in AML patients who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination romidepsin and azacitidine therapy is well tolerated and clinically active in adults with high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Loke, J., Metzner, M., Boucher, R., et al.[2022]

5-Azacytidine is more effective against L1210 leukemia in mice when given by injection rather than orally, but its oral effectiveness can be significantly improved.

When 5-azacytidine is combined with tetrahydrouridine, a drug that inhibits a specific enzyme, the oral administration of 5-azacytidine achieves blood levels comparable to those seen with injections, resulting in similar therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancement by tetrahydrouridine (NSC-112907) of the oral activity of 5-azacytidine (NSC-102816) in L1210 leukemic mice. Neil, GL., Moxley, TE., Kuentzel, SL., et al.[2022]

A total of 26 new 5-azacytidine analogues were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells, with one compound (ribofuranosyl S-nucleoside 3a) showing similar effectiveness to the original 5-azacytidine.

Modifications to the 5-azacytidine structure, such as adding a methyl group or changing the sugar type, generally reduced antiproliferative activity, but some analogues improved differentiation of leukemia cells when combined with all-trans retinoic acid.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Synthesis and antiproliferative activities of 5-azacytidine analogues in human leukemia cells. Guo, G., Li, G., Liu, D., et al.[2021]

The study demonstrated that the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor azacytidine (aza) can be safely administered at a dose of 50 mg/m2 twice a week in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, showing tolerability with manageable side effects.

Although the overall response rate was relatively low at 22%, the treatment may help reactivate pathways that allow some patients to overcome resistance to lenalidomide, particularly in those with lower levels of the enzyme that inactivates aza, suggesting a need for further optimization and patient selection.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

DNA methylation inhibition in myeloma: Experience from a phase 1b study of low-dose continuous azacitidine in combination with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Khouri, J., Faiman, BM., Grabowski, D., et al.[2022]

In a Phase I trial involving 27 adult patients with refractory cancer, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine (ara-AC) showed dose-limiting toxicities, primarily reversible granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, with significant side effects observed at a dose rate of 1.96 mg/m2/h.

Despite the toxicity, minor clinical responses were noted in several patients, leading to a recommended dose of 2.0 mg/m2/h for future Phase II studies, indicating potential efficacy in treating certain types of cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine (fazarabine, NSC 281272). Surbone, A., Ford, H., Kelley, JA., et al.[2014]

5-Azacytidine has shown a 36% overall response rate and 20% complete remission in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who have previously been treated, indicating its potential effectiveness in this specific cancer.

While the drug has dose-limiting toxicities such as nausea, vomiting, and leukopenia, it has low incidence of thrombocytopenia and varying degrees of hepatic toxicity, suggesting that its safety profile needs careful monitoring during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5-Azacytidine. A new anticancer drug with effectiveness in acute myelogenous leukemia. Von Hoff, DD., Slavik, M., Muggia, FM.[2019]

In a study involving 37 patients with untreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma, romidepsin was found to be safely combined with CHOP therapy, with a recommended dose of 12 mg/m² established for further testing.

While the combination showed promise, it also resulted in significant side effects, including high rates of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, indicating the need for careful monitoring and further randomized trials to assess its efficacy compared to CHOP alone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination of romidepsin with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone in previously untreated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a non-randomised, phase 1b/2 study. Dupuis, J., Morschhauser, F., Ghesquières, H., et al.[2018]

In a randomized phase III study involving 421 patients with untreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), the combination of romidepsin and CHOP (Ro-CHOP) did not significantly improve progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival compared to CHOP alone.

The Ro-CHOP treatment resulted in a higher incidence of severe side effects, such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, indicating that while romidepsin was added to the regimen, it did not provide a meaningful benefit and increased the risk of adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Romidepsin Plus CHOP Versus CHOP in Patients With Previously Untreated Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Results of the Ro-CHOP Phase III Study (Conducted by LYSA). Bachy, E., Camus, V., Thieblemont, C., et al.[2023]

In a phase 1 study involving 31 patients with advanced lymphoid malignancies, the combination of oral 5-azacytidine and romidepsin was found to be significantly more effective in treating peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), achieving a 73% overall response rate compared to only 10% in non-T-cell lymphomas.

The maximum tolerated dose was established at 300 mg of 5-azacytidine and 14 mg/m2 of romidepsin, with dose-limiting toxicities including severe thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, but no treatment-related deaths were reported, indicating a manageable safety profile for this combination therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Oral 5-azacytidine and romidepsin exhibit marked activity in patients with PTCL: a multicenter phase 1 study. O'Connor, OA., Falchi, L., Lue, JK., et al.[2021]

Romidepsin, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has shown considerable activity and good tolerability in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), which is known for poor outcomes with conventional chemotherapy.

The promising results from two large Phase II trials with romidepsin suggest that it could be a foundation for developing combination therapies and exploring other drugs with similar mechanisms for treating T-cell lymphoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Romidepsin for peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Khot, A., Dickinson, M., Prince, HM.[2014]

Romidepsin, an antitumor drug that inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC), showed a treatment response rate of 42.5% in a phase II study involving 40 Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

The safety profile of romidepsin was deemed acceptable, with common severe side effects including lymphopenia (74%), neutropenia (54%), and leukocytopenia (46%), leading to its approval for PTCL treatment in Japan in July 2017.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Romidepsin (Istodax® for intravenous injection 10 mg): pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical study outcome]. Ro, T., Nakayama, N., Achiwa, H., et al.[2018]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination romidepsin and azacitidine therapy is well tolerated and clinically active in adults with high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase II study of 5-azacytidine in sarcomas of bone. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancement by tetrahydrouridine (NSC-112907) of the oral activity of 5-azacytidine (NSC-102816) in L1210 leukemic mice. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Synthesis and antiproliferative activities of 5-azacytidine analogues in human leukemia cells. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

DNA methylation inhibition in myeloma: Experience from a phase 1b study of low-dose continuous azacitidine in combination with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine (fazarabine, NSC 281272). [2014]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5-Azacytidine. A new anticancer drug with effectiveness in acute myelogenous leukemia. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preclinical pharmacology of arabinosyl-5-azacytidine in nonhuman primates. [2014]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination of romidepsin with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone in previously untreated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a non-randomised, phase 1b/2 study. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Romidepsin Plus CHOP Versus CHOP in Patients With Previously Untreated Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Results of the Ro-CHOP Phase III Study (Conducted by LYSA). [2023]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Oral 5-azacytidine and romidepsin exhibit marked activity in patients with PTCL: a multicenter phase 1 study. [2021]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Romidepsin for peripheral T-cell lymphoma. [2014]

13. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Romidepsin (Istodax® for intravenous injection 10 mg): pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical study outcome]. [2018]