UK's only dedicated myelomonocytic leukaemia trial opens in Cardiff

The UK’s only current trial dedicated to the treatment of myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) has recruited its first patient. The Phase II MONOCLE study has opened at the Institute of Cancer & Genetics at Cardiff University, and has received funding support from the Cardiff ECMC.

CMML is caused by the overproduction of monocytes. It is a poorly treated disease with a high unmet medical need. It is mostly diagnosed in adults over the age of 75, who are usually less tolerant to aggressive chemotherapy treatments; there are around 450 cases of CMML in the UK each year.

Tefinostat is a highly potent, innovative oral HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitor that selectively targets macrophages and monocytes. Having been successfully used in a Phase I study, there are promising signs that it can be used to treat CMML patients.

The trial will aim to determine the tolerability and efficacy of tefinostat, using a multicentre, single-arm study design.