Beat AML Master Trial to expand with more institutions, targeted therapies

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society plans to expand its Beat AML Master Trial with additional cancer centers, patients and investigational targeted therapies.

The Beat AML Master Trial, launched in October 2016, is designed to test new, investigational treatments for newly diagnosed patients aged 60 years and older with acute myeloid leukemia.

The trial utilizes advanced genomic technology from Foundation Medicine to identify cancer-driven genomic mutations to match patients with an investigational drug best suited to treat their subtype of AML. The process is conducted over a 7-day span.

“As the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is uniquely able to convene the key stakeholders in cancer research to make the Beat AML Master Trial possible,” Louis J. DeGennaro, PhD, president and CEO of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said in a press release. “Working closely with the FDA, renowned cancer researchers, medical centers and the pharmaceutical industry, we are seeking to change the way cancer research is conducted.”

Six leading cancer centers — including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, University of Texas Southwestern, University of Colorado Cancer Center and University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center — have enrolled more than 70 patients in the trial.

Four more institutions are expected to join the trial this year, the release said.

Four biopharmaceutical companies have provided investigational targeted therapies — including samalizumab (ALXN6000, Alexion), an anti-CD200 monoclonal antibody; BI 836858 (Boehringer Ingelheim), an anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody; enasidenib (AG-221/CC-90007, Celgene), an IDH2 inhibitor; and entospletinib (Gilead Sciences), an SYK inhibitor.

At least three additional companies are anticipated to join the trial, the release said.

The society expects the trial to include 500 patients and will continue for at least 2 years at 15 to 20 clinical sites.

“We are very pleased with the patient enrollment to date and would like to offer our deepest thanks to our Beat AML Master Trial collaborators for their hard work and commitment to helping patients affected by this challenging disease,” DeGennaro said. “It takes a team to find cures and, together, we believe we can change the treatment paradigm for AML and bring new and better treatments to patients who urgently need them.”