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Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaPhase 2NCT04560322

Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab +/- Acalabrutinib in R/R CLL

A Phase 2 study testing Venetoclax, Obinutuzumab and Acalabrutinib in people with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 3 sites in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This research study is studying a combination of drugs as a possible treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The names of the study drugs involved in this study are: obinutuzumab venetoclax acalabrutinib Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Venetoclax, Obinutuzumab and Acalabrutinib
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
3 sitesUnited States
Study dates
19 Oct 2020to 1 Mar 2029
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

  • Diagnosis of CLL or SLL according to WHO criteria
  • Participants must require therapy according to iwCLL 2018 guidelines
  • Participants must have ≥ 2 points (high or intermediate risk disease) according to the CLL
  • BALL Risk Model:
  • Beta-2 microglobulin If ≥ 5 mg/L, assign 1 point
  • Lactate dehydrogenase If >institutional upper limit of normal, assign 1 point
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  • Hemoglobin If <11 g/dL (female) or <12 g/dL (male), assign 1 point
  • Time from start of last therapy If <24 months, assign 1 point, If 4 points, patient is high risk, If 2-3 points, patient is intermediate risk, If 0-1 points, patient is low risk
  • Participants must have received prior systemic therapy for CLL
  • Age over 18 years
  • ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, see Appendix A)
  • Participants must have adequate organ function as defined below:
  • total bilirubin ≤2 × institutional upper limit of normal unless considered secondary to Gilbert's syndrome, in which case ≤3 x ULN
  • AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2 × institutional upper limit of normal
  • creatinine within normal institutional limits OR
  • creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault Equation for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal.
  • Participants must have adequate marrow function as defined below (unless clearly due to disease under study per investigator discretion)
  • absolute neutrophil count ≥1,000/mcL
  • platelets ≥75,000/mcL OR
  • > 20,000/mcL if thrombocytopenia is clearly due to disease under study (per investigator discretion).
  • For females of childbearing potential, a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days of study treatment
  • For female patients of childbearing potential and male patients with partners of childbearing potential, agreement (by patient and/or partner) to use highly effective form(s) of contraception (i.e., one that results in a low failure rate [<1% per year] when used consistently and correctly) and to continue its use for 90 days after the last dose of acalabrutinib or venetoclax AND for 18 months after the last dose of obinutuzumab (whichever date is later)
  • The reliability of sexual abstinence should be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, or postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
  • Willingness to not donate sperm or oocytes during the entire study treatment period and after treatment discontinuation
  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Who cannot join

  • Prior therapy with a BTK inhibitor (e.g. acalabrutinib) or BCL2 inhibitor (e.g. venetoclax), with the following exception:
  • Patients with undetectable MRD by flow cytometry at 10 (peripheral blood or bone marrow) or CR from prior treatment with BCL2 inhibitor (with or without BTK inhibitor) are eligible. Note: Patients who received prior BTK inhibitor therapy alone are not eligible.
  • Known hypersensitivity (IgE-mediated) reaction to obinutuzumab or to any of its excipients
  • Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents unless authorized by the overall study principal investigator
  • Known active histological transformation from CLL to an aggressive lymphoma (i.e., Richter's transformation)
  • Active malignancy or systemic therapy for another malignancy within 3 years; local/regional therapy with curative intent such as surgical resection or localized radiation within 3 years of treatment is permitted; active prostate cancer that is considered low-risk and appropriate for continued active surveillance strategy is permitted.
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  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Known active bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, parasitic, or other infection (excluding fungal infections of nail beds) at study enrollment, or any major episode of infection requiring treatment with IV antibiotics or hospitalization (relating to the completion of the course of antibiotics) within 2 weeks prior to Cycle 1, Day 1
  • Known bleeding diathesis
  • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because the study agents have potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with the study agents, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with study therapy.
  • Prior major surgical procedure within 4 weeks of study, or anticipation of need for a major surgical procedure during the course of the study
  • Known CNS hemorrhage or stroke within 6 months of the study
  • History of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
  • History of HIV infection or active hepatitis B (chronic or acute) or hepatitis C infection
  • Patients with occult or prior HBV infection (defined as positive total hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb] and negative HBsAg) may be included if HBV DNA is undetectable. These patients must be willing to take appropriate anti-viral prophylaxis as indicated and undergo monthly DNA testing.
  • Patients positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody are eligible only if polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is negative for HCV RNA
  • Congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association classification III/IV
  • Clinically significant history of liver disease, including viral or other hepatitis, current alcohol abuse, or cirrhosis
  • Receipt of live-virus vaccines within 28 days prior to the initiation of study treatment or need for live-virus vaccines at any time during study treatment
  • Known condition or other clinical situation that would affect oral absorption
  • Psychiatric illness/social situations that would interfere with study compliance
  • Receipt of therapy with strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug administration
  • Consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit products, Seville oranges (including marmalade containing Seville oranges), or star fruit within 3 days prior to the first dose of study drug administration.
  • Requires dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation with warfarin

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country.

United States3 sites

  • Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Phase 2 Study of MRD Adapted Therapy With Venetoclax-obinutuzumab in Patients With High or Intermediate BALL Risk Relapsed or Refractory CLL, With Addition of Acalabrutinib in Patients Who Fail to Achieve MRD Eradication

This research study is studying a combination of drugs as a possible treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

The names of the study drugs involved in this study are:

  • obinutuzumab
  • venetoclax
  • acalabrutinib
Read the detailed description

This research study is a Phase II clinical trial. Phase II clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of investigational drugs to learn whether the drugs work in treating a specific disease. "Investigational" means that the drugs are being studied.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved [1] venetoclax- obinutuzumab and [2] acalabrutinib individually as treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). However, the combination of all 3 drugs has not yet been approved by the FDA.

  • Venetoclax is a targeted therapy drug that works by blocking a protein called Bcl-2 in cancer cells. Bcl-2 helps cancer cells survive and resist the effects of cancer treatments. By blocking Bcl-2, venetoclax may kill cancer cells and/or make them more open to the effects of other cancer treatments.
  • Obinutuzumab is a drug that targets a protein called CD20, which is found on the surface of B cells, the white blood cells that are affected by CLL. When obinutuzumab attaches to CD20, it directly both destroys the B cells and makes them more "visible" to the immune system. The immune system then attacks and destroys the cancerous B cells.
  • Acalabrutinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK is a protein inside of the cell that may be over-expressed in malignant B cells. It is involved in the signaling pathway from the B-cell receptor. BTK inhibition caused by taking acalabrutinib results in decreased malignant B-cell growth and survival.

On this study, participants will receive obinutuzumab and venetoclax. We will monitor for minimal residual disease (MRD) using a test called "Adaptive ClonoSEQ" after treatment with obinutuzumab and venetoclax. MRD is a molecular test, which can detect whether there is any evidence of CLL/SLL in the blood or bone marrow. For participants with detectable MRD despite treatment with obinutuzumab and venetoclax, acalabrutinib will be added with the goal of achieving undetectable MRD. Additionally, for participants who have progressive CLL/SLL despite venetoclax and obinutuzumab, acalabrutinib will be added.

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility, study treatment, end of treatment visit, follow-up visits and an off-study visit.

  • Participants will receive study treatment for 2 or 3 years.
  • Participants will be followed for 2 years after completion of the study.
  • It is expected that 40 people will take part in this research study
  • Genentech is supporting this research study by providing venetoclax and obinutuzumab.
Being tested
Venetoclax, Obinutuzumab, Acalabrutinib
Keywords
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Medical subject headings
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • VenetoclaxDrug

    Also called Venclexta

    Tablet, taken by mouth

  • ObinutuzumabDrug

    Also called Gazyva

    Intravenous infusion

  • AcalabrutinibDrug

    Also called Calquence

    Capsule, taken by mouth

Study groups in NCT04560322
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab +/- AcalabrutinibExperimentalA treatment cycle is defined as 28 consecutive days. Participants with undetectable MRD (uMRD) at 1 year will complete an additional 1 year of VO then stop therapy. Participants with high detectable MRD at 1 year will complete an additional 1 year of VO plus acalabrutinib then stop therapy. Participants with low detectable MRD at 1 year will complete an additional 1 year of VO alone. If this eradicates MRD, they will stop therapy. If there is still residual MRD, they will complete an additional 1 year of IVO then stop therapy. If progression occurs on VO, I will be added and IV will be administered indefinitely. After 2 years, V may be stopped and I continued as monotherapy at investigator discretion. * Infused Study Drug: Obinutuzumab on Days 1, 2, 8, and 15 of Cycle 1 and then on Day 1 of Cycles 1-6 * Oral Study Drugs: Venetoclax daily starting on Cycle 1 Day 22 * Oral Drug: acalabrutinib daily for Days 1-28 (if applicable)
Receives: Drug: Venetoclax; Drug: Obinutuzumab; Drug: Acalabrutinib

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percentage of participants alive at 1 year

    Percent of participants with high and intermediate risk relapsed/refractory CLL who are alive at 1 year. The percent of patients who are alive at one-year (rOS) will be measured by monitoring you in clinic. An rOS of at least 90% will be considered promising whereas the rOS of 75% or less will be considered non-promising.

    Measured: 1 year

Secondary outcomes (7)

  1. Overall Response Rate

    The response will be classified per the 2018 iwCLL guidelines. The overall frequency of overall response will be tabulated and summarized descriptively

    Measured: 1 year

  2. Complete response rate

    The response will be classified per the 2018 iwCLL guidelines. The overall frequency of complete response will be tabulated and summarized descriptively

    Measured: 1 year

  3. Frequency of undetectable minimum residual disease (uMRD) after 12 Months

    Frequency of undetectable MRD response will be tabulated and summarized descriptively. The frequency of detectable MRD including the frequency of MRD "low positive" and MRD "high positive" will also be tabulated and summarized descriptively

    Measured: 1 year

  4. Undetectable MRD rate with addition of acalabrutinib to venetoclax-obinutuzumab among patients who fail to eradicate MRD with venetoclax-obinutuzumab

    Among participants who fail to eradicate MRD with venetoclax-obinutuzumab (includes participants with detectable MRD at 12 months as well as those with progression prior to completion of 12 months of venetoclax-obinutuzumab), the frequency of uMRD following addition of acalabrutinib to VO will be tabulated and summarized descriptively.

    Measured: 12 months

  5. Progression-free Survival

    Progression-free survival (PFS) is defined as the interval between the first treatment day to the first sign of disease progression or death from any cause. Subjects without progression are censored at date of last disease evaluation

    Measured: 6 years

  6. Overall Survival

    Overall survival (OS) is defined as the interval between the first treatment day to death from any cause. Subjects without death are censored at date of last visit.

    Measured: 6 years

  7. Number of Participants with Treatment Related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE ver. 5.0.

    Participants have their toxicities graded and reported at every visit according to the CTCAE ver. 5.0 grading scale. The nature, frequency, severity, and timing of adverse events will be tabulated and summarized descriptively.

    Measured: 6 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Sep 2020
  2. Study start19 Oct 2020
  3. Primary completion1 Mar 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Mar 2029 (estimated)

Resources

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04560322
Sponsor's protocol ID
19-743
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
17 Sep 2020
Last updated
30 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center encourages and supports the responsible and ethical sharing of data from clinical trials. De-identified participant data from the final research dataset used in the published manuscript may only be shared under the terms of a Data Use Agreement. Requests may be directed to: \[contact information for Sponsor Investigator or designee\]. The protocol and statistical analysis plan will be made available on Clinicaltrials.gov only as required by federal regulation or as a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research.

Publications

  • Soumerai JD, Ni A, Darif M, Londhe A, Xing G, Mun Y, Kay NE, Shanafelt TD, Rabe KG, Byrd JC, Chanan-Khan AA, Furman RR, Hillmen P, Jones J, Seymour JF, Sharman JP, Ferrante L, Mobasher M, Stark T, Reddy V, Dreiling LK, Bhargava P, Howes A, James DF, Zelenetz AD. Prognostic risk score for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with targeted therapies or chemoimmunotherapy: a retrospective, pooled cohort study with external validations. Lancet Haematol. 2019 Jul;6(7):e366-e374. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(19)30085-7. Epub 2019 May 17.

    PubMed 31109827

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Venetoclax, Obinutuzumab and Acalabrutinib in people with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 3 sites 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 25 inclusion and 24 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

Percentage of participants alive at 1 year (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04560322, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 30 Sep 2026.

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