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Acute Myeloid LeukemiaPhase 1/2NCT04623216

Sabatolimab as a Treatment for Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Presence of Measurable Residual Disease After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

A Phase 1/2 study testing Sabatolimab and Azacitidine in people with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, run by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at 9 sites in 4 countries.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that preemptive treatment with sabatolimab, alone or in combination with azacitidine, when administered to participants with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/secondary AML who were in complete remission with positive measurable residual disease post-allogeneic… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 12 to 99 years
Conditions the study is for
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
What is being tested?
Sabatolimab and Azacitidine
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
24 participants
Where
9 sitesin 4 countries
Study dates
14 Sep 2021to 22 Aug 2024
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 12 to 99 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
  • At the date of signing the informed consent form (ICF), eligible participants must be ≥ 18 years for the adult cohorts; and ≥ 12 years old but < 18 years old for the adolescent cohort (cohort 5), which will open after completion of Safety Run-in.
  • Participants in complete remission (< 5% bone marrow blasts, absence of circulating blasts, and absence of extramedullary disease) with MRD positivity by local assessment or by central assessment where required (e.g., USA sites), any time at ≥ Day 60 after aHSCT
  • Diagnosis of AML/secondary AML and received one prior aHSCT performed to control AML
  • Ability to provide a fresh bone marrow aspirate sample collected within 28 days from enrollment/randomization, and immediately shipped to a Novartis designated central laboratory for MRD testing.
  • Systemic GvHD (graft versus host disease) prophylaxis or treatment [immunosuppressive treatment (IST)] completely tapered for at least two weeks prior to study entry. Prednisone dose ≤ 5 mg/day or equivalent corticosteroid dose is allowed.
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  • Participants who are found with MRD positivity while still on or tapering systemic GvHD prophylaxis or treatment, MRD positivity must be re-confirmed at least 2 week after the last dose of IST
  • For the adult cohorts, participants must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1 or 2.
  • For the adolescent cohort, participants must have a Karnofsky (age ≥ 16 years) or Lansky (age < 16 years) performance status score ≥ 50%.

Who cannot join

  • Prior exposure to TIM-3 directed therapy at anytime.
  • History of severe hypersensitivity reactions to any ingredient of study drug(s) (azacitidine, sabatolimab) or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and/or their excipients
  • Active Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Participants whose disease is controlled under antiviral therapy should not be excluded.
  • Active acute GvHD grade III-IV according to standard criteria (Harris 2016).
  • Active moderate chronic GvHD of the lungs according to NIH consensus criteria. Active severe chronic GvHD according to NIH consensus criteria.
  • History of another primary malignancy that is currently clinically significant or currently requires active intervention. Participants who are receiving adjuvant therapy, such as hormone therapy, are eligible
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  • Any concurrent severe and/or active uncontrolled infection requiring parenteral antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal therapy (such as severe pneumonia, meningitis, or septicemia)
  • Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic therapy (e.g. corticosteroids). Topical, inhaled, nasal and ophthalmic steroids are not prohibited. Replacement corticosteroids therapy is allowed and not considered a form of systemic treatment
  • Live vaccine administered within 30 days prior to the first day of study treatment (Cycle 1 Day 1)
  • Other concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive or chronic restrictive pulmonary disease including dyspnoea at rest from any cause) or history of serious organ dysfunction or disease involving the heart, kidney, or liver

Trial locations and contacts

9 sites in 4 countries.

9 sites in 4 countries

Italy4 sites
  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Bergamo, BG, 24127

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Bologna, BO, 40138

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Brescia, BS, 25123

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Roma, RM, 00165

Other trials in Italy

Germany3 sites
  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Hamburg, 20246

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Münster, 48149

Other trials in Germany

France1 site
  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Marseille, 13273

Other trials in France

Spain1 site
  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Barcelona, Catalonia, 08035

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: A Phase Ib/II, Open Label Study of Sabatolimab as a Treatment for Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Presence of Measurable Residual Disease After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

The primary purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that preemptive treatment with sabatolimab, alone or in combination with azacitidine, when administered to participants with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/secondary AML who were in complete remission with positive measurable residual disease post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Minimal residual disease (MRD)+ post- Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT)), could enhance the graft versus leukemia (GvL) response and prevent or delay hematologic relapse without an unacceptable level of treatment-emergent toxicities, including clinically significant acute and/or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and immune-related adverse events

Read the detailed description

This is a phase Ib/II, open label, multi-center study of sabatolimab as monotherapy and in combination with azacitidine, in participants with AML/secondary AML who had received one aHSCT and achieved complete remission but MRD+, by local assessment, anytime at >= Day 60 after aHSCT and at least 2 weeks after immunosuppressive medications had been tapered off.

The study was planned to enroll approximately 59 participants and be conducted in two parts:

Part 1 was a Safety Run-in of approximately 20 participants, to assess whether sabatolimab as monotherapy at the two tested dose levels (400 mg and 800 mg intravenously Q4W) was safe when administered in the post-aHSCT setting. For each dose level, once the required number of evaluable participants had been confirmed, enrollment would be halted until participants had completed the dose limiting toxicities (DLT) observation period (≥ 8 weeks following the first dose). Following the observation period for DLTs, a Safety Review Meeting was to be conducted after each dose level to assess safety and determine the recommended dose for expansion to proceed with enrollment of additional cohorts in Part 2 of the study.

Part 2 consisted of sabatolimab monotherapy expansion cohort of approximately 13 participants, sabatolimab in combination with azacitidine cohort of approximately 20 participants, and an adolescent cohort of approximately 6 participants (≥ 12 years but < 18 years of age) with sabatolimab as monotherapy. Sabatolimab was to be administered at the recommended dose for expansion determined in Part 1.

After initiating Part 2, Novartis took the decision to put enrollment in permanent halt and terminate the sabatolimab program. This decision was not driven by any safety concerns.

Being tested
Sabatolimab, Azacitidine
Keywords
Sabatolimab, MBG453, TIM-3, Azacitidine, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, AML, Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, aHSCT, Measurable Residual Disease, MRD, Phase Ib/II, Acute myeloid leukemia Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Medical subject headings
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute, Neoplasm, Residual

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • SabatolimabBiological

    Also called MBG453

    Sabatolimab is a solution in vial for IV infusion

  • AzacitidineDrug

    Azacitidine comes in Vial for IV infusion or subcutaneous administration

Study groups in NCT04623216
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sabatolimab 400mgExperimentalSafety cohort 1: Participants in this arm will receive sabatolimab 400mg intravenously every 4 weeks.
Receives: Biological: Sabatolimab
Sabatolimab 800mgExperimentalSafety cohort 2: Participants in this arm will receive sabatolimab 800mg intravenously every 4 weeks.
Receives: Biological: Sabatolimab
Sabatolimab + AzacitidineExperimentalExpansion cohort 3: Participants in this arm will receive sabatolimab at the recommended dose for expansion in combination with azacitidine.
Receives: Biological: Sabatolimab; Drug: Azacitidine
SabatolimabExperimentalExpansion cohort 4: Participants in this arm will receive sabatolimab at the recommended dose for expansion.
Receives: Biological: Sabatolimab
Sabatolimab (adolescent cohort)ExperimentalAdolescent safety cohort (cohort 5): ≥12 to < 18 year old adolescent participants in this arm will receive sabatolimab at the recommended dose for expansion.
Receives: Biological: Sabatolimab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Rate of Dose Limiting Toxicities (Safety Run-in in Adult Sabatolimab 400mg & 800mg Only)

    Assessment of tolerability of sabatolimab in adults and adolescents in the post allogenic stem cell transplantation setting. This was determined by the number of participants with at least one event - All grades. A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) is defined as an adverse event or abnormal laboratory value considered by the Investigator to be at least possibly related to sabatolimab as a single contributor that occurs during the DLT observation period and meets the severity criteria as per protocol.

    Measured: From Cycle 1 Day 1 to end of Cycle 2; Cycle =28 Days

  2. Percentage of Adult Subjects With Absence of Hematologic Relapse Per Investigator Assessment (Safety Run-in and Expansion)

    The percentage of adult participants for whom no evidence of hematologic relapse (no evidence of bone marrow blasts ≥5%, no evidence of reappearance of blasts in the blood; no evidence of development of extramedullary disease) has been documented after 6 cycles of study treatment or earlier discontinuation at the recommended dose of sabatolimab 800 mg.

    Measured: From Cycle 1 Day 1 to end of Cycle 6; Cycle = 28 Days

  3. Rate of Dose Limiting Toxicities (Safety Confirmation in Adolescent Cohort Only)

    Assessment of tolerability of sabatolimab in adolescent participants in the post allogeneic stem cell transplantation setting. This was determined by the number of participants with at least one event - All grades. A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) is defined as an adverse event or abnormal laboratory value considered by the Investigator to be at least possibly related to sabatolimab as a single contributor that occurs during the DLT observation period and meets the severity criteria as per protocol.

    Measured: From Cycle 1 Day 1 to end of Cycle 2; Cycle =28 Days

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Incidence of Grade III or IV Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGvHD)

    Assessment of the treatment emergent grade III or IV aGvHD. Acute GvHD: Grade IV acute GvHD, Stage ≥3 lower GI acute GvHD (consistent with Grade III acute GvHD) or Stage ≥3 liver acute GvHD (consistent with Grade III GvHD).

    Measured: From start of treatment to up to 36 months from last patient first treatment.

  2. Incidence of Moderate to Severe Chronic GVHD (cGvHD)

    Assessment of the treatment emergent moderate or severe cGvHD. Chronic GvHD: Moderate chronic GvHD of the lungs, Severe chronic GvHD.

    Measured: From start of treatment to up to 36 months from last patient first treatment.

  3. Peak of Serum Concentration (Cmax) Sabatolimab

    Cmax is the maximal serum concentration of sabatolimab.

    Measured: Cycle 1 Day 5 (end of infusion) and Cycle 3 Day 1 or Day 5 (end of infusion) and Cycle 24 Day 1 (end of infusion); Cycle =28 Days

  4. Trough Serum Concentration of (Cmin) Sabatolimab

    Cmin is the concentration of sabatolimab prior to next dosing or after end of treatment.

    Measured: Adult cohorts: Pre-dose on Day 1 (safety run-in) or Day 5 (expansion) of Cycle 1, 3, 6 and 24 (safety run-in only); Adolescent cohort: Pre-dose on Day 1 of Cycle 1, 2, 3 and 6; Cycle = 28 Days

  5. Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD)-Free/Relapse-free Survival (GRFS)

    Time from start of treatment to the date of first documented occurrence or worsening of treatment emergent grade III or IV aGvHD or moderate to severe cGvHD requiring initiation of systemic treatment, morphologic/hematologic relapse, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first

    Measured: From start of treatment to up to 36 months from last patient first treatment

  6. Relapse-free Survival (RFS)

    Time from start of treatment to the date of first documented hematologic relapse or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first.

    Measured: From start of treatment to up to 36 months from last patient first treatment

  7. Percentage of Participants With Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Positive at Baseline Who Become MRD Negative

    Percentage of participants with centrally confirmed MRD+ status at baseline converting to MRD- within the first 6 cycles of study treatment.

    Measured: From start of treatment until end of Cycle 6 (Cycle = 28 Days)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Nov 2020
  2. Study start14 Sep 2021
  3. Primary completion22 Aug 2024
  4. Study completion22 Aug 2024

Why it stopped: Study was stopped following a strategic decision from the Sponsor. It was not based on any safety findings or safety concerns with sabatolimab.

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1/2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
24 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04623216
Sponsor's protocol ID
CMBG453F12201
Other IDs
2020-000869-17
Status last verified
Oct 2025
First submitted
3 Nov 2020
Last updated
16 Oct 2025
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data is currently available according to the process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing Sabatolimab and Azacitidine in people with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, run by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at 9 sites in 4 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Oct 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 9 sites in Italy, Germany, France, Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this combined phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 3 Jun 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Rate of Dose Limiting Toxicities (Safety Run-in in Adult Sabatolimab 400mg & 800mg Only) (time frame: From Cycle 1 Day 1 to end of Cycle 2; Cycle =28 Days). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Oct 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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