Phase I/II Clinical Trial Assessing the Combination of Sulfasalazine With Standard of Care Induction Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemias (AML) Patients 60 Years or Older- the SALMA Study
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous clonal myeloid neoplasm where abnormal proliferation and impaired differentiation of hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells impedes normal hematopoiesis. Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a broadly available, well tolerated anti-inflammatory medicine approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Intact SSZ, but not its metabolites 5-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine, competitively inhibits xCT.21 SSZ is thus an ideal candidate for drug repurposing in AML.The purpose of this phase I study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of such strategy, provide preliminary signals of efficacy, and identify potential biomarkers
• Patients aged 60 years or older
• With newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (short course treatment with hydroxyurea and or steroids is acceptable). Patients with AML secondary to an antecedent Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) or Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) are eligible, as those with therapy-related AML.
• Eligible for intensive chemotherapy in the investigator's opinion
• Leukaemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIP) detected at screening allowing flow cytometry (FCM)-based Minimal Residual Disease monitoring (Phase II only).
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2
• Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminanse (ALT) ≤ 3.0 times upper the limit of normal (ULN) and total and direct serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN unless considered due to leukemia Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 50 mL/min according to the MDRD equation
• Written informed consent obtained prior to any screening procedures
• Eligible for National Health Insurance in France