Study Comparing Luspatercept and Epoetin Alfa for Treating Anemia in Patients with Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Who Are Not Dependent on Blood Transfusions

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What is this study about?

This clinical trial is focused on studying a condition known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is a type of blood disorder where the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of two treatments for anemia caused by MDS. The treatments being compared are Luspatercept, also known by its code name ACE-536, and Epoetin Alfa. Both of these treatments are designed to help increase the production of red blood cells in the body.

The purpose of the study is to see how well these treatments work in people with lower-risk MDS who are not dependent on blood transfusions. Participants in the study will receive either Luspatercept or Epoetin Alfa through injections under the skin. The study will last for a period of up to 96 weeks, during which participants will be monitored to see if they need fewer blood transfusions and if their hemoglobin levels, which measure the amount of red blood cells, improve.

Throughout the study, participants will be regularly assessed to ensure their safety and to track the effectiveness of the treatments. The study will help determine which treatment is more effective in managing anemia in patients with MDS who have not previously been treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, which are medications that help the body produce more red blood cells. This research is important for improving treatment options for people living with MDS.

1 joining the study

Upon joining the study, the participant is confirmed to meet the eligibility criteria, including age, diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and transfusion independence.

The participant’s baseline hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and serum erythropoietin level are assessed to ensure they meet the study requirements.

2 randomization

The participant is randomly assigned to receive either luspatercept or epoetin alfa.

This randomization determines the treatment group for the duration of the study.

3 treatment administration

Participants in the luspatercept group receive the medication as a subcutaneous injection. The dosage is either 25 mg or 75 mg, depending on the specific requirements of the study.

Participants in the epoetin alfa group receive the medication as a subcutaneous injection. The available dosages are 2,000 IU, 4,000 IU, 6,000 IU, 20,000 IU, 30,000 IU, or 40,000 IU, administered in pre-filled syringes.

The frequency and duration of administration are determined by the study protocol and the participant’s response to treatment.

4 monitoring and assessments

Throughout the study, regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels and other health indicators is conducted to assess the participant’s response to treatment.

Participants are evaluated for any symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

5 end of treatment period

The treatment period lasts up to 96 weeks, during which the primary endpoint is assessed: conversion to transfusion dependence, defined as receiving 3 or more units of red blood cells within any 16-week interval.

Secondary endpoints include achieving an increase in mean hemoglobin values from baseline by at least 1.5 g/dL in any continuous 16-week interval without transfusion.

6 study completion

Upon completion of the study, final assessments are conducted to evaluate the overall efficacy and safety of the treatment received.

Participants receive information about their treatment outcomes and any necessary follow-up care.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Participant must be at least 18 years old or the local age of consent.
  • Participant must have a confirmed diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is a type of blood disorder. The diagnosis should meet specific risk levels as determined by a test called IPSS-R. This includes very low, low, or intermediate risk, with certain conditions in the bone marrow and blood.
  • Participant must have a baseline level of a substance in the blood called serum erythropoietin that is 500 U/L or lower.
  • Participant must not need regular blood transfusions, according to specific criteria. However, 1 to 2 units of blood transfusion are allowed if they were given for an acute event like surgery, bleeding, or infection, and not just for low hemoglobin levels.
  • Participant must have a baseline hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 9.5 g/dL or lower. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This level is calculated using the average of the two lowest measurements taken within 16 weeks before the study starts.
  • Participant must have symptoms of anemia, such as moderate or greater fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or dizziness, as recorded during the screening period.
  • Participant must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0, 1, or 2. This score is used to assess how well a person can perform daily activities.
  • Participant must not have used erythropoiesis-stimulating agents before, which are drugs that help the body make more red blood cells. However, if the participant has received no more than 2 doses of certain medications like epoetin alfa, and the last dose was at least 8 weeks before the study, they may still be eligible.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Patients with a different condition than Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) cannot participate. MDS is a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells.
  • Patients who are not in the age range specified for the study cannot participate. The study includes certain age groups only.
  • Patients who do not meet the specific health requirements set by the study cannot participate.
  • Patients who are not able to follow the study procedures or attend the required visits cannot participate.
  • Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot participate.
  • Patients who have participated in another clinical trial recently may not be eligible.
  • Patients with certain medical conditions that could interfere with the study results cannot participate.
  • Patients who are taking medications that could affect the study outcomes may not be eligible.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name City Country Status
IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital Rozzano Italy
Policlinico “Tor Vergata”, Università degli Studi di Roma TOR VERGATA Rome Italy
University Hospital Jena KöR Jena Germany
Hospital Universitario De Salamanca Salamanca Spain
Institut Gustave Roussy Villejuif France
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi Florence Italy
Oncopole Claudius Regaud Toulouse France
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Rome Italy
Bellvitge University Hospital L'hospitalet De Llobregat Spain
CHU Grenoble Alpes La Tronche France
Onkologie Erding Erding Germany
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Bordeaux Bordeaux France

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
University Hospital Ostrava Ostrava Czechia
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Nice Nice France
Specjalistyczny Szpital Im. Dra Alfreda Sokolowskiego Walbrzych Poland
Markhot Ferenc Oktatokorhaz Es Rendelointezet Eger Hungary
Haematologisch Onkologische Schwerpunktpraxis Wuerzburg Germany
Llcdj Gjgjbxp Hudgtoqm Om Ahrmnl Athens Greece
Hqtmktfh Vxlf dxfuwmvo Barcelona Spain
Vxlhjv dua Rxnkz Uqnlvxfzst Hwybyngp Sevilla Spain
Fcsqevtwxa Imzuj Cz Gystwb Oxiruhja Mfecanfm Pgjoolybneq Milan Italy
Anej Gpqqwb Ojhulosq Mkmxmkhyddzkd Nnpgvufp Milan Italy
Uwfognbpakwqkkdqfzpzw Duhvftmhlay Axq Duesseldorf Germany
Frlhajgt Nzwyjptgs Bbiw Brno Czechia
Czldrx Hbmyjkoaweu Rloycjmj Urisvphgukhmu Dq Tuhdg Tours France
Cqsp Da Nzruc Vandoeuvre Les Nancy France
Grbmbcs Untshvycog Hdnlwvpf Od Pcrbrr Patras Greece
Uxelzchkgm Gqnvylh Hmctmtqn Oa Aiednknctquufe Alexandroupoli Greece
Vrelvhxlg Fwcvmtvx Nqafolqxo V Ppnrm Prague Czechia
Uqgbcokimpco Ladjovb Leipzig Germany
Ameyjrg Ulwlm Sbcikqljm Lebtex Do Bwzafzw Bologna Italy
Uzfgthpyjfmzqs Cgrtnat Kalikwcvz Gdansk Poland
Hdxlfcou Uuoqnapwrfyfx Dp Li Puwnulrc Madrid Spain
Cctjou Hamxfxsnwry Roivtokl Djrimmbwrmukdi Angers France
Hqicduwq Uaycrcwrknrfj Vvlsuw Do Lsv Nffegs Granada Spain
Uqdtgjlbux Gqeruhs Hgqnjveu Amjtvwi Athens Greece
Gkcinq Oazxfqpk Mgsazympfdlks Brgkjwj Mroylcity Msjpcrm Reggio Calabria Italy
Gnvdxyoqysus Zla Ffihqfser Dle Wjmpmdmgoclqvzld Mudavjntprdqd Ejocoexsqmbsilphd Ic Duv Hxwktheohpy Ucv Ollvzgcil Munster Germany
Pvvrjt fif Hbhrrlevhre utl Ocdirdaly Bmhkwr Mqswd Berlin Germany
Alnefegche Pnfxmgcv Htyakwme Dv Pnusg Paris France
Scmbsxktujdzhmzqthizbr Vyiozrpmm Oiajuffqoasw Nyiregyhaza Hungary
Sxbjawlosj Ucbbxqlqme Budapest Hungary
Cikkxs Reonapmv Ckqlobqt Dl Vxdvjt Sskgik Verona Italy
Mvu Chqueuxs Rwmlhgfy Ppnfkqv Bp Pxmoee Warsaw Poland
Ikanhovd Fiya Vinhqpulgglxfhoixicb Im Doj Ojpiwfnbq Gte Koblenz Germany
Kgwlhvqs Ovnbwg gfczocyuvpgacy kzehlfeqc Avhaqux dge objjskcespbym Rhtszn Mutlangen Germany
Aqqykzv Ojifqwwfdgn Ozekju Mpjjjlarvb De Tdswae Turin Italy
Pnevds Ondmoyflg Kntftodk Katowice Poland

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Czechia Czechia
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
France France
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Germany Germany
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Greece Greece
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Hungary Hungary
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Italy Italy
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Poland Poland
Not recruiting
28.08.2023
Spain Spain
Not recruiting
28.08.2023

Trial locations

Investigated Drugs:

Luspatercept (ACE 536) is a medication being studied for its ability to treat anemia in patients with certain types of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It works by helping the body produce more red blood cells, which can reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients who are not currently dependent on them.

Epoetin Alfa is a medication used to treat anemia by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. It is commonly used in patients with various types of anemia, including those with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), to help increase their red blood cell count and reduce the need for blood transfusions.

Investigated Diseases:

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – Myelodysplastic Syndrome is a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells. It occurs when the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing blood cells, does not function properly. This leads to a shortage of one or more types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising, and frequent infections. Over time, MDS can progress to more severe forms of anemia or even acute myeloid leukemia. The progression and symptoms can vary widely among individuals.

Trial ID:
2022-500430-29-00
Protocol code:
CA056-025
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)

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