Ibrutinib for the Prevention of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Patients Undergoing Donor Stem Cell Transplant

A Phase II Study of Ibrutinib as Prophylaxis for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Allo-HCT)

This phase II trial tests how well ibrutinib works in preventing chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients undergoing donor (allogeneic) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). An allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a treatment in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) from a genetically similar, but not identical donor. When healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into a patient, they may help the patient's bone marrow make more healthy cells and platelets. However, sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can attack the body's normal cells (called GVHD). Giving ibrutinib after the transplant may stop that from happening. Ibrutinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking a protein in the blood called Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). By blocking BTK, ibrutinib inhibits certain immune cells that play a role in cGVHD. Giving ibrutinib after an allo-HCT may prevent the development of chronic GVHD.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease; Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Ibrutinib; Procedure: Echocardiography Test

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the efficacy of ibrutinib in reducing the incidence of National Institutes of Health (NIH) moderate/severe chronic GVHD by 1-year post-registration. (Phase II Trial)

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the safety of ibrutinib when prescribed as prophylaxis for chronic GVHD.

II. To determine the cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM). III. To determine the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). IV. To determine the cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD (moderate/severe and all grades).

V. To determine the cumulative incidence of late acute GVHD (LA GVHD). VI. To determine 1-year overall survival (OS) from time of transplantation. VII. To determine NIH moderate/severe chronic GVHD and relapse free survival (CRFS).

VIII. To determine immune suppressive therapy required for therapy of chronic GVHD.

IX. To determine the cumulative incidence of complete immune suppression (IS) discontinuation.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive ibrutinib orally (PO) once daily (QD) on days 1-30 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 30 days for up to 12 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Additionally, patients undergo an echocardiography prior to registration on study.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 2
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32224-9980
      • Mayo Clinic in Florida

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 50 to 110 days post-transplant prior to registration
• Age ≥ 18 years
• HLA matched-related, matched unrelated donors (defined as 8/8 [class I: HLA A, B, C, and class II: DRB1]), or HLA-mismatched-unrelated donors (defined as 7/8 [with single mismatch at class I: HLA A, B, C, or class II: DRB1])
• Karnofsky performance status (PS) ≥ 70
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (untransfused) (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1000/mm^3 (without growth factor support) (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)
• Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm^3 (untransfused) (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)
• Prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR)/activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)
• Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN (unless it is due to Gilbert's syndrome or causes other than liver) OR alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 2 x ULN (unless it is due to Gilbert's syndrome or causes other than liver) (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)
• Calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 40 ml/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula (obtained ≤ 7 days prior to registration)

• Adequate cardiac and pulmonary function at baseline (may be based on pre-transplant vital organ work up):

  • Cardiac evaluation to determine left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) if there is any clinical reason (for example an ischemic event or hypovolemic shock) to suspect that the LV-EF was affected from the time of the prior measurement of baseline (required ≥ 45%)
  • Pulmonary evaluation to determine adequate pulmonary function with a diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≥ 50% predicted value, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ≥ 50% predicted value and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥ 50% predicted value
• Persons of childbearing potential must have negative serum pregnancy test ≤ 7 days prior to registration. Persons of non-reproductive potential are defined as follows: post-menopausal by history - no menses for ≥ 1 year; or status post (s/p) hysterectomy; or s/p bilateral tubal ligation; or history of bilateral oophorectomy
• All subjects agreeable to using both a highly effective method of birth control [for example, implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or sterilized partner] and a barrier method (e.g., condoms, vaginal ring, sponge, etc.) during the period of therapy and for 90 days after the last dose of study drug
• Provide written informed consent

• Willingness to return to enrolling institution for follow-up (during the active monitoring phase of the study).

  • Note: During the active monitoring phase of a study (i.e., active treatment and clinical follow-up), participants must be willing to return to the consenting institution for follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled acute GVHD at time of registration.

  • Note: Uncontrolled is defined as unable to tolerate tapering down of steroids or other therapies or requiring additional therapies or increase in doses of prescribed therapies
• Evidence of NIH chronic GVHD preceding registration or at time of registration

• Relapsed/progressive disease compared to prior to transplant and prior to registration. In this case, baseline represents the baseline disease staging (if no other disease staging has been performed prior to enrollment); or a post-transplant disease staging if that represents the most immediate staging prior to enrollment. In the event that both had been performed, the latest one performed (i.e. the one closest in time to the enrollment to this trial) will be considered the baseline for comparison.

  • Note: Relapse and progression definitions for each hematologic malignancy/ disorder will follow standard definition
• Uncontrolled active systemic fungal, viral, bacterial, or other infection Note: Infections are considered controlled if appropriate therapy has been instituted and at the time of registration have no signs of progression are present. Progression of infection is defined as hemodynamic instability attributable to sepsis, new symptoms, worsening physical signs or radiographic findings attributable to infection
• Unable to swallow capsules or impairment/disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function that may significantly alter the absorption of the drugs (e.g., gastric bypass surgeries, Celiac or Whipple disease)

• Any of the following because this study involves) an agent that has known genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects:

  • Pregnant persons
  • Nursing persons
  • Persons of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
• History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage ≤ 6 months prior to registration

• Active involvement of the central nervous system with malignancy.

  • Note: Previous central nervous system (CNS) involvement is allowed if clearance of CNS disease has been documented prior to registration
• Require anticoagulation with warfarin or other Vitamin K antagonists

• Any of the following prior therapies:

  • Administration of anti-thymocyte globulin (or equivalent), alemtuzumab, or post transplant cyclophosphamide as part of the conditioning regimen or ≤ 1 month of allograft. Patients must not have received T-cell depletion or CD-34 selection
  • Administration of a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor ≤ 7 days prior to the first dose or subjects who require continuous treatment with a strong CYP3A inhibitor
• Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
• Patients known to have tested positive on HIV antibody test
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
• Chronic liver disease with hepatic impairment Child Pugh class B or C

• Active hepatitis B or C infection.

  • Note: A detailed assessment of hepatitis B/C medical history and risk factors must be done at screening for all patients. hepatitis B immunoglobulin M antibody (HBcIgM Ab), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) screen (scrn) w/reflex testing are required at screening for all patients with a positive medical history based on risk factors and/or confirmation of prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

• Receiving any chemotherapy, anticancer immunotherapy, experimental therapy, or radiotherapy is prohibited while the subject is receiving study treatment with ibrutinib. The sponsor-investigator must be notified in advance (or as soon as possible thereafter) of any instances in which prohibited therapies are administered.

  • EXCEPTION 1: Patients will be allowed to receive antimicrobial prophylaxis appropriate for allogeneic HCT recipients, according to institutional standards of practice (SOP) or common clinical practice
  • EXCEPTION 2: Patients will be allowed to receive maintenance therapy, if it had been planned prior to the allogeneic HCT for the purpose of reducing risk of relapse or progression of malignancy. Examples of post-transplant maintenance includes inhibitors of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT-3), Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1), Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 12 (IDH-2) or hypomethylating agents (azacitidine or decitabine) and inhibitors of BCL-2.

• Other active malignancy ≤ 5 years prior to registration.

  • EXCEPTIONS: Non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix.
  • NOTE: If there is a history of prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other treatment for their cancer
• History of myocardial infarction ≤ 6 months, or uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Prevention (ibrutinib); Patients receive ibrutinib PO QD on days 1-30 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 30 days for up to 12 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Additionally, patients undergo an echocardiography prior to registration on study.	Drug: Ibrutinib; Given PO; Other Names: PCI-32765; Imbruvica; BTK Inhibitor PCI-32765; CRA-032765; Procedure: Echocardiography Test; Undergo echocardiography; Other Names: Echocardiography; EC

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cumulative incidence of NIH moderate/severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)	The cumulative incidence of National Institutes of Health (NIH) moderate/severe chronic GVHD will be estimated from the date of registration using a competing risk model, with death and relapse without NIH moderate/severe chronic GVHD as the competing risks.	At 1 year post registration

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM)	The cumulative incidence of NRM will be estimated from the date of registration using the competing risk model, with relapse as a competing risk event.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of relapse	The cumulative incidence of relapse will be estimated from date of registration until date of relapse using the competing risk model with NRM as a competing risk event.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD	The cumulative incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD will be estimated from date of registration until date of first evidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD using competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing risk events.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD	The cumulative incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD assessed from transplant up to 1 year post-transplant will be estimated.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD of all grades	The cumulative incidence of all grades of chronic GVHD will be estimated using the competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing risk events.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of late acute GVHD	The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD will be estimated using the competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing risk events.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Overall survival (OS)	OS is defined as the time from treatment to death, regardless of disease recurrence.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
NIH moderate/severe GVHD and relapse free survival (CRFS)	NIH moderate/severe CRFS is defined as the time from registration until moderate/severe chronic GVHD, relapse, or death due to any cause.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Type and duration of immune suppressive therapy	The type and duration of immune suppressive therapy required for therapy of chronic GVHD will be summarized and described descriptively.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Cumulative incidence of complete immune suppression (IS) discontinuation	The cumulative incidence of complete IS discontinuation will be estimated from the date of registration until the date of discontinuation of IS.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug
Incidence of adverse events (AE)	The maximum grade for each type of AE will be recorded for each patient, and frequency tables will be reviewed to determine patterns.	Up to 1 year after last dose of study drug

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mayo Clinic
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Mohamed A. Kharfan Dabaja, MD, MBA, Mayo Clinic

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 13, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 14, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): May 14, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 14, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 14, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 22, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 20, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Organizing Pneumonia; Immune System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Bronchiolitis Obliterans; Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Graft vs Host Disease; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; ibrutinib
• Other Study ID Numbers: MC1873; NCI-2024-01061 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program)); 18-008754 (Other Identifier: Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No