Asciminib as Single Agent or in Combination With Nilotinib in the 1st-line Treatment of BCR-ABL1+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: a Randomized GIMEMA-GELMC Phase II Study PEARL Study: PotEntial of Asciminib in the eaRly Treatment of CML
A phase 2, interventional, randomized unblinded study will be conducted in newly diagnosed CP CML patients, to investigate the efficacy and the safety of asciminib at a dose of 80 mg QD as single agent (arm A) or 40 mg BID in combination with nilotinib 300 mg BID (arm B). All patients in both arm A and arm B will be treated for a minimum of 2 years (core phase). If they will have achieved a DMR (MR4), or if it will be in the interest of the patient, the treatment will be continued. During the consolidation phase (2 years) asciminib will be continued at the same dose in both arms; in the combination arm the nilotinib dose will be reduced to 300 mg daily. The patients maintaining a stable MR4 up to the end of the fourth year will discontinue the treatment (TFR phase). The rate of TFR at 5 year (1 year after discontinuation) will be evaluated.
• Cytogenetic and molecular confirmed diagnosis of Ph+ and BCR::ABL1+ CML
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Early chronic phase, less than 3 months from diagnosis
• Evidence at the time of study entry of typical BCR::ABL1 RNA transcripts e13a2 or e14a2 (b2a2 or b3a2), which are required for BCR::ABL1 international scale reporting
• Prior treatment with any TKI for 30 days or less; prior treatment with hydroxyurea or anagrelide is allowed
• ECOG performance status of 0, 1 or 2
• Adequate end organ function as defined by Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN except for patients with Gilbert's syndrome who may only be included if total bilirubin ≤ 3.0 x ULN or direct bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN Aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 3.0 x ULN Alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 3.0 x ULN Serum amylase ≤ ULN Serum lipase ≤ ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 x ULN, unless considered tumor related Creatinine clearance \> 50 ml/min using Cockcroft-Gault formula
• Signed written informed consent according to ICH/EU/GCP and national local laws prior to any study procedure
• An effective form of contraception with their sexual partners from enrolment through 30 days after the end of treatment