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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1 / Phase 2INTERVENTIONAL

A Study to Investigate Treatment of HU and VPA, or 6-MP and VPA in Unfit AML/HR-MDS Patients

A Phase 1/2 Multicenter Open-label Study to Investigate Treatment of Hydroxyurea in Combination With Valproic Acid (VPA), or 6- Mercaptopurine in Combination With VPA in Patients With AML or HR-MDS Unfit for Standard Therapy

A Study to Investigate Treatment of HU and VPA, or 6-MP and VPA in Unfit AML/HR-MDS Patients (NCT06199557) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Adult and Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Adult, sponsored by Haukeland University Hospital. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the combination treatment of hydroxyurea capsules and valproic acid capsules, or the combination treatment of 6-mercaptopurine tablets and valproic acid capsules in male and female patients aged 18 years or older with acute myeloid leukemia or high- risk myelodysplastic syndrome. The population to be studied is newly diagnosed AML patients who are considered unfit for standard induction chemotherapy, HR-MDS unfit/ineligible for standard treatment, and relapsed/refractory AML/HR-MDS patients who are considered unfit for standard therapy ,or are, for some reason, ineligible for another type of therapy. Clinically, hydroxyurea, valproic acid and 6-mercaptopurine are historically very well-known therapeutic agents with low toxicity profiles. The rationale for this study is that the combination of these drugs with low toxicity will be well tolerated in elderly AML patients with comorbidities, or lower performance status. This combination could have a beneficial therapeutic effect on overall survival and contribute to a better quality of life.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Adult, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 48 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: Participants are eligible for the study only if all of the following criteria apply: o Female or male, age 18 years or older - Written willing to sign a consent form - Patients with Newly diagnosed AML, as defined by ELN 2022 criteria, or relapsed/refractory AML who: - are unfit, defined as HCT-CI ≥ 3, or - in the opinion of the investigator are not candidates for standard therapy or unlikely to tolerate or derive significant clinical benefit from standard therapy, or - the patient has declined standard therapy Newly diagnosed HR-MDS, or relapsed/refractory HR-MDS who: - are unfit, defined as HCT-CI ≥ 3, or - in the opinion of the investigator are not candidates for standard therapy or unlikely to tolerate or derive significant clinical benefit from standard therapy, or - has declined standard therapy Secondary AML (MDS-related/ therapy- induced), or Acute promyelocytic leukemia not eligible for standard therapy and/or specific therapy. - Adequate renal and hepatic functions unless clearly disease related as indicated by the following laboratory values: - Serum creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN; - Estimated kidney function (creatinine clearance) at least 40 mL/min (Cockcroft-Gault equation); - Hepatic function; i. Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN); ii. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1. ≤2.5 × ULN 2. ≤5 × ULN for patients with liver metastases iii. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <!-- --> 1. ≤2.5 × ULN 2. ≤5 × ULN for patients with liver metastases iv. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 1\. ≤2.5 × ULN - European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0, 1, 2 or 3 ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: Participants are eligible for the study only if all of the following criteria apply: o Female or male, age 18 years or older * Written informed consent * Patients with Newly diagnosed AML, as defined by ELN 2022 criteria, or relapsed/refractory AML who: - are unfit, defined as HCT-CI ≥ 3, or - in the opinion of the investigator are not candidates for standard therapy or unlikely to tolerate or derive significant clinical benefit from standard therapy, or * the patient has declined standard therapy Newly diagnosed HR-MDS, or relapsed/refractory HR-MDS who: * are unfit, defined as HCT-CI ≥ 3, or * in the opinion of the investigator are not candidates for standard therapy or unlikely to tolerate or derive significant clinical benefit from standard therapy, or * has declined standard therapy Secondary AML (MDS-related/ therapy- induced), or Acute promyelocytic leukemia not eligible for standard therapy and/or specific therapy. * Adequate renal and hepatic functions unless clearly disease related as indicated by the following laboratory values: * Serum creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN; * Estimated creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min (Cockcroft-Gault equation); * Hepatic function; i. Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN); ii. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1. ≤2.5 × ULN 2. ≤5 × ULN for patients with liver metastases iii. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <!-- --> 1. ≤2.5 × ULN 2. ≤5 × ULN for patients with liver metastases iv. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 1\. ≤2.5 × ULN * European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0, 1, 2 or 3 * Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 3 days prior to taking their first dose of study medication. Male patients and female patients of reproductive potential must agree to practice highly effective methods of contraception (such as hormonal implants, combined oral contraceptives, injectable contraceptives, intrauterine device with hormone spirals, total sexual abstinence, vasectomy) throughout the study and for \>3 months after the last dose of study medication. Female patients are considered NOT of childbearing potential if they have a history of surgical sterility or evidence of post-menopausal status defined as any of the following: 1. Natural menopause with last menses \>1 year ago 2. Radiation induced oophorectomy with last menses \>1 year ago 3. Chemotherapy induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago Exclusion Criteria: Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: * Patients on treatment for AML (any anti-leukemic therapy including investigational agents) or treated less than 2 weeks before inclusion. * Concurrent history of active malignancy in the past six months prior to diagnosis except for * basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin * in situ carcinoma of the cervix * Concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical condition (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, infection, hypertension, pulmonary disease et cetera) at the investigators discretion. * Breastfeeding women * Cardiac dysfunction as defined by: * myocardial infarction within the last 3 months of study entry, or * congestive heart failure NYHA class IV or * unstable angina, or * unstable cardiac arrhythmias * SARS-CoV-2 infection \< 7 days or Covid-19-vaccine \< 7 days from study onset * Patients with a history of non-compliance to medical regimens or who are considered unreliable with respect to compliance. * Patients with any serious concomitant medical condition that could, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise participation in the study. * Patients with senile dementia, mental impairment or any other psychiatric disorder that prohibits the patient from understanding and giving informed consent. * Current concomitant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy other than as specified in the protocol. * Known hypersensitivity to study medications or its excipients. * Any psychological, familial, sociological, and geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Hydroxyurea, Hydroxycarbamide

Hydroxyurea (HU/hydroxycarbamide) is a hydroxylated analogue of urea which prevents DNA synthesis by inhibiting the activity of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). HU has been used to treat a variety of diseases. As an antineoplastic drug, HU has some advantages. It may be used by ambulatory patients and has relatively few side effects, which are relieved almost immediately after withdrawal of the drug. The drug is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration. At present, HU has an important role as standard of care for treating hyperleukocytosis in chronic and acute myeloid leukemia.

DRUG

Valproic acid

Valproic acid (VPA) has been used clinically as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug. During the last two decades, VPA has been described as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and gained increased interest for use in cancer therapy. VPA is administered orally with available routine measurements of serum levels and has a low toxicity profile.

DRUG

6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP)

In 1953, 6-MP was an approved antileukemic agent resulting in remissions in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). After adding 6-MP to methotrexate and prednisolone in the treatment regimen, the one-year mean survival of children with ALL was increased from 29% to 50%. 6-MP, even about 70 years after its discovery, remains the standard maintenance therapy once the children are in complete remission.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen, Bergen, Norway

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06199557), the sponsor (Haukeland University Hospital), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06199557 clinical trial studying?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the combination treatment of hydroxyurea capsules and valproic acid capsules, or the combination treatment of 6-mercaptopurine tablets and valproic acid capsules in male and female patients aged 18 years or older with acute myeloid leukemia or high- risk myelodysplastic syndrome. The population to be studied is newly diagnosed AML patients who are considered unfit for standard induction chemotherapy, HR-MDS unfit/ineligible for standard treatment, and relapsed/refractory AML/HR-MDS patients who a… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06199557?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06199557?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06199557. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06199557. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.