Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation RecipientPhase 1NCT03600155
Nivolumab and Ipilimumab After Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With High Risk Refractory or Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome
A Phase 1 study testing Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in people with Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient and Myelodysplastic Syndrome, run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This phase Ib trial studies the side effects and best dose of nivolumab and ipilimumab after donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with high risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome that does not respond to treatment or has come back. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Recurrent Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- What is being tested?
- Ipilimumab and Nivolumab
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 29 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 Oct 2018to 2 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients with evidence of relapsed or refractory AML or MDS following allogeneic stem cell transplantation
- Patients must have received preparative regimens to include either busulfan- or melphalan-based regimens
- Patient must have achieved myeloid engraftment as defined by an absolute neutrophil count >= 500 micro/L on 3 consecutive days
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2
- Total bilirubin =< 2 times upper limit of normal (x ULN) (=< 3 x ULN if considered to be due to Gilbert's syndrome)
- Aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase =< 2.5 x ULN
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- Serum creatinine =< 2 x ULN or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >= 50
- Patients must provide written informed consent
- The interval from the infusion of stem cells to time of initiation of nivolumab or ipilimumab will be at least 6 weeks (42 days)
- Females must be surgically or biologically sterile or postmenopausal (amenorrheic for at least 12 months) or if of childbearing potential, must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 72 hours before the start of the treatment
- Women of childbearing potential must agree to use an adequate method of contraception during the study and until 3 months after the last treatment. Males must be surgically or biologically sterile or agree to use an adequate method of contraception during the study until 3 months after the last treatment
Who cannot join
- Patients with known allergy or hypersensitivity to nivolumab or ipilimumab or any of their components
- Patients with acute GVHD > grade 2 at any time during the post-transplant course
- Patients with a known history of severe interstitial lung disease or severe pneumonitis or active pneumonitis that is uncontrolled in the opinion of the treating physician
- Patients with a known history of any of the following autoimmune diseases are excluded:
- Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Patients with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic progressive sclerosis (scleroderma), systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune vasculitis (e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis)
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- Patients with solid organ allografts (such as renal transplant) are excluded
- Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of GVHD. Patients receiving GVHD prophylaxis will be allowed on this study
- Patients with symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) leukemia at the time of evaluation or patients with poorly controlled CNS leukemia
- Active and uncontrolled disease/(active uncontrolled infection, uncontrolled hypertension despite adequate medical therapy, active and uncontrolled congestive heart failure New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III/IV, clinically significant and uncontrolled arrhythmia) as judged by the treating physician
- Patients with known human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity will be excluded
- Known to be positive for hepatitis B by surface antigen expression. Known to have active hepatitis C infection (positive by polymerase chain reaction or on antiviral therapy for hepatitis C within the last 6 months)
- Any other medical, psychological, or social condition that may interfere with study participation or compliance, or compromise patient safety in the opinion of the investigator
- Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Phase I Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab for the Treatment of Patients With High Risk or Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
This phase Ib trial studies the side effects and best dose of nivolumab and ipilimumab after donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with high risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome that does not respond to treatment or has come back. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.
Read the detailed description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of nivolumab and ipilimumab alone and in combination in patients with high risk or refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT).
II. To evaluate the toxicity of nivolumab and ipilimumab alone and in combination with regard to the rate and severity of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD).
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the overall response rate (ORR) of nivolumab, ipilimumab and the combination in patients with high risk or refractory/ relapsed AML and MDS following allo-SCT.
II. To determine the duration of response, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients with high risk or refractory/ relapsed AML and MDS treated with this combination following allo-SCT.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
- To identify neo-antigens, the immune cell phenotype, expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire following treatment with nivolumab, ipilimumab and the combination.
II. To study immunological and molecular changes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow in response to nivolumab and ipilimumab.
III. To investigate the TCR repertoire and immune phenotype in patients who experience aGVHD.
OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Patients are assigned to 1 of 3 arms.
ARM A: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab intravenously (IV) over 60 minutes on days 1 and 15. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
ARM B: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
ARM C: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 14, and 28, and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up within 30 days and periodically thereafter.
- Conditions
- Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Recurrent Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Being tested
- Ipilimumab, Nivolumab
- Medical subject headings
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
IpilimumabBiological
Also called Anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen-4 Monoclonal Antibody, BMS-734016, MDX-010, MDX-CTLA4
Given IV
NivolumabBiological
Also called BMS-936558, MDX-1106, NIVO, ONO-4538
Given IV
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm A (nivolumab) | Experimental | Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1 and 15. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Receives: Biological: Nivolumab |
| Arm B (ipilimumab) | Experimental | Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Receives: Biological: Ipilimumab |
| Arm C (nivolumab and ipilimumab) | Experimental | Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 14, and 28, and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Receives: Biological: Ipilimumab; Biological: Nivolumab |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Optimal dose of nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab
Dose-finding will be carried out using the Bayesian optimal interval design.
Measured: Up to day 42
Secondary outcomes (4)
Overall response rate (ORR)
ORR will be estimated as the proportion of patients who achieve complete response (CR), complete response with incomplete bone marrow recovery (CRi), or partial response (PR). The 2-sided 95% exact binomial confidence interval (CI) of ORR will be calculated.
Measured: Up to 1 year
Duration of response (DOR)
DOR will be estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier, and distributions will be compared using the log-rank test.
Measured: From the date of initial response (PR or better) to the date of first documented disease progression/relapse or death, assessed up to 1 year
Disease-free survival (DFS)
DFS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier, and distributions will be compared using the log-rank test.
Measured: From the date of first dose of study drug until the date of documented graft versus host disease (GVHD), relapses from CR, or death from any cause, assessed up to 1 year
Overall survival (OS)
OS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier, and distributions will be compared using the log-rank test.
Measured: From the first dose of study drug until death or last follow-up, assessed up to 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Jul 2018
- Study start11 Oct 2018
- Primary completion2 Dec 2024
- Study completion2 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation RecipientStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Gheath Al-Atrash, Principal investigator, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03600155
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2017-0349
- Other IDs
- NCI-2018-01450, 2017-0349, P30CA016672
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jul 2018
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase I Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab for the Treatment of Patients With High Risk or Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03600155
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2017-0349
- Conditions
- Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Recurrent Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- 11 Oct 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This phase Ib trial studies the side effects and best dose of nivolumab and ipilimumab after donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with high risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome that does not respond to treatment or has come back. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.
Detailed description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of nivolumab and ipilimumab alone and in combination in patients with high risk or refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT).
II. To evaluate the toxicity of nivolumab and ipilimumab alone and in combination with regard to the rate and severity of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD).
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the overall response rate (ORR) of nivolumab, ipilimumab and the combination in patients with high risk or refractory/ relapsed AML and MDS following allo-SCT.
II. To determine the duration of response, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients with high risk or refractory/ relapsed AML and MDS treated with this combination following allo-SCT.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
- To identify neo-antigens, the immune cell phenotype, expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire following treatment with nivolumab, ipilimumab and the combination.
II. To study immunological and molecular changes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow in response to nivolumab and ipilimumab.
III. To investigate the TCR repertoire and immune phenotype in patients who experience aGVHD.
OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Patients are assigned to 1 of 3 arms.
ARM A: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab intravenously (IV) over 60 minutes on days 1 and 15. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
ARM B: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
ARM C: Beginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 14, and 28, and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up within 30 days and periodically thereafter.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Arm A (nivolumab) | Experimental | Biological: NivolumabBeginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1 and 15. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. |
| Arm B (ipilimumab) | Experimental | Biological: IpilimumabBeginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. |
| Arm C (nivolumab and ipilimumab) | Experimental | Biological: Ipilimumab, Biological: NivolumabBeginning at least 6 weeks post-stem cell transplant, patients receive nivolumab IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 14, and 28, and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Patients with evidence of relapsed or refractory AML or MDS following allogeneic stem cell transplantation
- Patients must have received preparative regimens to include either busulfan- or melphalan-based regimens
- Patient must have achieved myeloid engraftment as defined by an absolute neutrophil count >= 500 micro/L on 3 consecutive days
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2
- Total bilirubin =< 2 times upper limit of normal (x ULN) (=< 3 x ULN if considered to be due to Gilbert's syndrome)
Key exclusion criteria (15 listed)
- Patients with known allergy or hypersensitivity to nivolumab or ipilimumab or any of their components
- Patients with acute GVHD > grade 2 at any time during the post-transplant course
- Patients with a known history of severe interstitial lung disease or severe pneumonitis or active pneumonitis that is uncontrolled in the opinion of the treating physician
- Patients with a known history of any of the following autoimmune diseases are excluded:
- Patients with solid organ allografts (such as renal transplant) are excluded
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| IpilimumabAlso: Anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen-4 Monoclonal Antibody, BMS-734016, MDX-010, MDX-CTLA4Given IV | Biological | Arm B (ipilimumab), Arm C (nivolumab and ipilimumab) |
| NivolumabAlso: BMS-936558, MDX-1106, NIVO, ONO-4538Given IV | Biological | Arm A (nivolumab), Arm C (nivolumab and ipilimumab) |
Primary outcome
Optimal dose of nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab
Time frame: Up to day 42
Dose-finding will be carried out using the Bayesian optimal interval design.
4 secondary outcomes
Overall response rate (ORR)
Time frame: Up to 1 year
Duration of response (DOR)
Time frame: From the date of initial response (PR or better) to the date of first documented disease progression/relapse or death, assessed up to 1 year
Disease-free survival (DFS)
Time frame: From the date of first dose of study drug until the date of documented graft versus host disease (GVHD), relapses from CR, or death from any cause, assessed up to 1 year
Overall survival (OS)
Time frame: From the first dose of study drug until death or last follow-up, assessed up to 1 year
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 May 2026.
- MD Anderson Cancer Center WebsiteLink provided by the sponsor.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Gheath Al-Atrash principal investigator
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in people with Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient and Myelodysplastic Syndrome, run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
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 11 inclusion and 15 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. 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 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.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Optimal dose of nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab (time frame: Up to day 42). 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 15 May 2026.