The aim of the HOVON 150 trial* is to recruit 968 patients – half with the IDH1 mutation and half with IDH2 mutation, from Europe, Australia and other participating countries.

For uniformity and to ensure there is no variation in the testing, screening and analysis of newly diagnosed patients’ bone marrow samples will be at a central international laboratory in Europe.

Samples collected in Australia will be quickly sent to Europe with the results returned to Australia prior to a patient starting treatment.

“Traditionally we have thought of AML as a medical emergency and endeavour to get treatment started as rapidly as possible,” said Assoc. Prof. Marlton.

“We will have to keep patients stable and the leukaemia under control for a few days while the testing is done prior to starting their definitive therapy.”

All patients selected for the trial will receive standard backbone chemotherapy treatment and, at the same time, either ivosidenib or enasidenib, depending on what mutation they have (IDH1 or IDH2).

Both drugs are tablets, which means they are easy to administer, and they are taken once a day, starting on the first day of chemotherapy.

Trial participants also receive ivosidenib or enasidenib with consolidation chemotherapy, and as a maintenance therapy for up to two years after chemotherapy is completed, or following a stem cell transplant if they go on to have one.

“That’s important because it may have the capacity to mop up any stray leukaemia cells that have escaped or were resistant to chemotherapy,” said Assoc. Prof. Marlton.

The trial will run for about four years.

For information, contact Assoc. Prof. Paula Marlton (07) 3176 2111 or speak to your haematologist.

* This trial is also open to people with high-grade MDS with excess blasts.