ClinConnect ClinConnect Logo
Search / Trial NCT04304820

Early Initiation of Oral Therapy With Cyclosporine and Eltrombopag for Treatment Naive Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA)

Launched by NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE (NHLBI) · Mar 10, 2020

Trial Information

Current as of July 25, 2025

Recruiting

Keywords

Immunosuppression T Cells Hematopoiesis Autoimmunity Thrombocytopenia

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to treat severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a serious blood disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the bone marrow, preventing it from producing enough blood cells. Researchers want to find out if starting treatment with two oral medications, Cyclosporine (CsA) and Eltrombopag (EPAG), at a lower dose is safe and effective before adding a third medication, horse anti-thymocyte globulin (h-ATG). This approach could offer an easier and potentially better option for people with SAA who haven't received any treatment before.

To participate in the trial, you need to be at least 3 years old and diagnosed with SAA. The study involves taking CsA and EPAG for six months, with some participants receiving h-ATG at a clinic for four days. Participants will have regular check-ins, including phone calls and visits to the clinic, to monitor their health throughout the study. It's important to note that certain health conditions and previous treatments may exclude someone from participating, so discussing eligibility with a healthcare provider is essential. This trial is currently recruiting, and it aims to improve treatment options for those affected by this challenging condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

  • * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • 1. Age \>= 3 years old
  • 2. Weight \>12Kg
  • 3. Severe aplastic anemia:
  • * Bone marrow cellularity \<30% (excluding lymphocytes) AND At least two of the following:
  • Absolute neutrophil count \<500/microliter
  • Platelet count \<20,000/microliter
  • Absolute reticulocyte count \<60,000/microliter
  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • 1. Known diagnosis or high suspicion of Fanconi anemia or other constitutional marrow failure syndrome
  • 2. Evidence of a clonal disorder on cytogenetics performed within 12 weeks of study entry involving chromosome 7 or complex karyotype. Patient will not be excluded if cytogenetics are not done or are pending
  • 3. A course of prior immunosuppressive therapy (ATG, cyclosporine, alemtuzumab, and high dose cyclophosphamide), or eltrombopag
  • 4. SGOT or SGPT \>2.5 times the upper limit of normal or total bilirubin \>1.5 x upper limit of normal
  • 5. Subjects with liver cirrhosis (as determined by the investigator).
  • 6. Subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy, have detectable HIV RNA viral load and have CD4 cell count \<200/microliter, or are on anti-retroviral therapy that interacts with the study drugs. subjects will not be excluded if HIV testing is pending or unavailable.
  • 7. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \<40 mL/min/1.73m\^2
  • 8. Hypersensitivity to EPAG or its components
  • 9. Infection not adequately responding to appropriate therapy
  • 10. Moribund status or concurrent hepatic, renal, cardiac, neurologic, pulmonary, infectious, or metabolic disease of such severity that it would preclude the patient's ability to tolerate protocol therapy, or that death within 7-10 days is likely
  • 11. Potential subjects with cancer who are on active chemotherapeutic treatment or who take drugs with hematological effects will not be eligible
  • 12. Inability to understand the investigational nature of the study or to give informed consent or does not have a legally authorized representative or surrogate that can provide informed consent.
  • 13. Inability to swallow
  • 14. Unable to participate in audio/video telecommunication
  • 15. Inability to ship the study drug to participant
  • 16. History or current diagnosis of cardiac disease indicating significant risk of safety for patients participating in the study such as uncontrolled or significant cardiac disease, including any of the following: Recent myocardial infarction (within last 6 months), uncontrolled congestive heart failure, unstable angina (within last 6 months), clinically significant (symptomatic) cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., sustained ventricular tachycardia, and clinically significant second or third degree AV block without a pacemaker.), long QT
  • syndrome, family history of idiopathic sudden death, congenital long QT syndrome or additional risk factors for cardiac repolarization abnormality, as determined by the investigator.
  • 17. Impaired cardiac function, such as: Corrected QTc \>450 msec using Fridericia correction (QTcF) on the screening ECG (using triplicate ECGs), other clinically significant cardiovascular disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, history of labile hypertension), history of known structural abnormalities (e.g. cardiomyopathy).
  • 18. Concurrent participation in an investigational study within 30 days prior to enrollment or within 5-half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer. Note: parallel enrollment in a disease registry is permitted.
  • 19. Known thrombophilic risk factors. Exception: Subjects for whom the potential benefits of participating in the study outweigh the potential risks of thromboembolic events, as determined by the investigator.
  • 20. Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using basic methods of contraception during dosing of study treatment. Basic contraception methods include:
  • - Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation
  • methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception
  • Female sterilization (have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy, or tubal ligation at least six weeks before taking study treatment. In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment
  • Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). The vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that subject
  • Barrier methods of contraception: Condom or Occlusive cap. For the UK: with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/ vaginal suppository
  • Use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS), or other forms of hormonal contraception that have comparable efficacy (failure rate \<1%), for example hormone vaginal ring or transdermal hormone contraception.
  • In case of use of oral contraception women should have been stable on the same pill for a minimum of 3 months before taking study treatment.
  • 21. Female subjects who are nursing or pregnant (positive serum or urine B-human chorionic gonadotrophin (B-hCG) pregnancy test) at screening or pre-dose on Day 1
  • 22. Sexually active males unless they use a condom during intercourse while taking the drug during treatment, and for 7 days after stopping treatment (and for an additional 12 weeks \[for genotoxic compounds\]) and should not father a child in this period. A condom is required to be used also by vasectomized men as well as during intercourse with a male partner in order to prevent delivery of the drug via semen.

About National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute (Nhlbi)

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is a leading component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dedicated to advancing research and clinical trials focused on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. With a mission to improve public health through innovative research, the NHLBI supports a wide range of studies aimed at understanding, preventing, and treating heart and lung conditions. By collaborating with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and patient communities, the NHLBI strives to translate scientific discoveries into effective clinical practices, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by these critical health issues.

Locations

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Patients applied

0 patients applied

Trial Officials

Bhavisha A Patel, M.D.

Principal Investigator

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Timeline

First submit

Trial launched

Trial updated

Estimated completion

Not reported

Similar Trials