A Study to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Pacritinib in Patients With VEXAS Syndrome (PAXIS)

Last updated: March 10, 2026
Sponsor: Swedish Orphan Biovitrum
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Hematologic Neoplasms

White Cell Disorders

Treatment

Placebo

Pacritinib

Clinical Study ID

NCT06782373
PAC601
2024-516347-41-00
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This trial is to assess the effectiveness and safety of pacritinib in patients with VEXAS (i.e., Vacuoles in myeloid progenitors, E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory manifestations, and somatic) syndrome. 78 participants will be enrolled, randomized to either pacritinib dose A, pacritinib dose B + placebo, or placebo. Randomization will be stratified by prescribed GC dose on the day of randomization.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Key Inclusion Criteria:

  • Documented evidence of a pathogenic mutation at methionine-41 (M41) or neighboring splice site mutation (c.118-1, c.118-2) position in UBA1 mutation based on myeloid next-generation sequencing (NGS) droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), or Sanger sequencing in peripheral blood or bone marrow samples.

  • Current or documented evidence of past inflammatory involvement within 6 months prior to enrollment of at least one of the following organ systems by VEXAS syndrome: cutaneous (e.g., neutrophilic dermatosis, cutaneous vasculitis), vasculature (e.g., vasculitis), musculoskeletal (e.g., chondritis, arthritis), ocular (e.g., uveitis, scleritis), periorbital (e.g. periorbital edema), genitourinary (e.g., epididymitis), or pulmonary (e.g., alveolitis).

  • Receiving ongoing GC therapy (stable prednisone or prednisolone dose of 15-45 mg/day) leading up to enrollment.

  • Karnofsky Performance Status ≥50%

  • Adequate organ function, meeting all the following criteria within 30 days prior to enrollment:

  1. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤3 × upper limit of normal (ULN)

  2. Total bilirubin ≤4 × ULN (≤8 × ULN in the setting of Gilbert's syndrome)

  3. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥30 mL/min based on the Cockcroft-Gault formula

  4. Absolute neutrophil count ≥500/μL

  5. Prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR) ≤1.5 × ULN (unless prolonged due to therapeutic anticoagulation)

  6. Partial thromboplastic time (PTT) or activated PTT ≤1.5 × ULN (unless prolonged due to therapeutic anticoagulation)

  7. Platelet count ≥25 × 10^9/L (value must be obtained in the absence of platelet transfusion in the prior 7 days)

  8. Peripheral blasts <5%

  • QT corrected by the Fridericia method (QTcF) ≤450 msec in males or ≤470 msec in females. Participants with QRS prolongation >100 msec may enroll if their QTcF is ≤480 msec. If QTcF is thought to be prolonged due to a modifiable factor (e.g., medication / electrolyte abnormality), QTcF may be reevaluated.

  • Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 30 days prior to enrollment and a negative urine pregnancy test on Day 1 prior to randomization and dosing.

  • WOCBP and male participants must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception starting at the first dose of trial therapy through 30 days after the last dose of trial therapy.

Key Exclusion Criteria

  • Prior allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) or solid organ transplant (other than corneal).

  • Current use of systemic GCs for conditions other than VEXAS syndrome, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with adherence to a GC taper regimen and/or assessment of efficacy.

  • More than one prior admission to an intensive care unit due to a VEXAS Syndrome flare within the prior 6 months.

  • Received ≥9 units of intensive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the 90 days prior to enrollment.

  • Known concurrent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) requiring antineoplastic treatment, or allo-HSCT, or known high-risk or very high-risk MDS based on the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R). Participants with MDS who do not meet these criteria may enroll.

  • Malignancy within 1 year prior to enrollment with the exception of MDS (per exclusion criterion), curatively treated non-melanoma skin cancer, or curatively treated carcinoma in situ. Participants with pre-malignant hematologic conditions (e.g., monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance [MGUS], clonal cytopenia of unknown significance) may enroll.

  • Exposure to hypomethylating agents (HMA) within 6 months prior to enrollment, or exposure to more than 6 cycles of HMAs at any time.

  • Exposure to non-GC anti-inflammatory therapy or hematologic support therapy within protocol defined timeframes prior to enrollment

  • Exposure to anti-platelet therapy with the exception of low-dose aspirin (≤100 mg daily) within 28 days prior to enrollment.

  • Known concomitant multiple myeloma, or serum M-protein ≥3 g/dL, involved-to uninvolved free light chain (FLC) ratio ≥100, or involved FLC level ≥100 mg/dL. Participants with MGUS may enroll.

  • Systemic treatment with a strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor or inducer within 5 half-lives prior to enrollment.

  • Significant recent bleeding history defined as National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade ≥2 within 3 months prior to enrollment, unless precipitated by an inciting event.

  • History of clinically significant cardiovascular disease, or clinically significant abnormalities in rhythm or conduction during Screening ECG, including:

  1. QT corrected by the Fridericia method (QTcF) > 480 msec within 30 days prior to enrollment; if QTcF is thought to be prolonged due to a modifiable factor (e.g., medication / electrolyte abnormality), QTcF may be re-evaluated

  2. Severe cardiac event (CTCAE grade ≥3) within 3 months prior to enrollment

  3. Heart failure resulting in limitations during ordinary activity.

  • Arterial or venous thrombotic or embolic events, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebrovascular accident (including transient ischemic attacks), within 60 days prior to enrollment.

  • Moderate or severe hepatic impairment that meets criteria for Child-Pugh Class B or C, or active viral hepatitis.

  • Uncontrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) off antiretrovirals, or on antiretrovirals with detectable viral load.

  • Positive Quantiferon (or other interferon gamma release assay) during Screening.

  • Known history of disseminated mycobacterial infection.

  • Concurrent enrollment in another interventional trial, or treatment with an experimental therapy within 28 days or five half-lives prior to enrollment, whichever is longer.

  • Pregnant, intending to become pregnant during the trial, or currently breastfeeding/lactating.

  • Participants with any acute, active infection requiring systemic antimicrobial treatment at the time of enrollment. Exceptions are made for prophylactic antibiotics or chronic antibiotic therapy for non-acute conditions.

  • Known hypersensitivity to pacritinib or any of the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and magnesium stearate.

Study Design

Total Participants: 78
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Placebo
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
May 28, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
May 22, 2028

Study Description

This trial is a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (Part 1) followed by an open-label treatment period (Part 2) designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pacritinib for the prevention of VEXAS flares after glucocorticoid (GC) taper. The trial will enroll participants ≥18 years with inflammatory VEXAS syndrome receiving ongoing GC therapy for ≥4 consecutive weeks, requiring between 15 and 45 mg daily (of prednisone / prednisolone or equivalent) at the time of enrollment (randomization). Participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive pacritinib dose A (n=26), pacritinib dose B plus placebo (n=26), or placebo (n=26) for up to 24 weeks during a double-blind treatment period, followed by treatment with pacritinib during an open-label treatment period for up to 48 weeks. Participants who complete the open-label treatment period at End of Week (EOW) 48 and who are benefitting from pacritinib in the opinion of the Investigator may continue to receive treatment for an additional 1 year on the extension period. Participants who discontinue study treatment will have a 30-day post-End of Treatment (EOT) follow-up period. Randomization will be stratified by prescribed GC dose on the day of randomization. All outcomes will be reported by treatment arm, and pair-wise comparison between each pacritinib arm and placebo will be performed in the double-blind treatment period.

Participants who complete the double-blind treatment period at EOW 24 or meet Early Failure criteria at EOW 12 will transition to an open-label pacritinib treatment period through EOW 48. In addition, if a trial arm closes due to interim futility or safety, all participants currently randomized to that arm will transition to open-label treatment.

The trial (including the double-blind and open-label treatment periods, as well as the extension period) is planned to end approximately 2 years from the first dose of the last participant.

Connect with a study center

  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

    Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

    Vancouver 6173331, British Columbia 5909050 V5Z 1M9
    Canada

    Site Not Available

  • Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center

    Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center

    Halifax 6324729, Nova Scotia 6091530 B3H 2Y9
    Canada

    Site Not Available

  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

    Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

    Toronto 6167865, Ontario 6093943 M5G 2M9
    Canada

    Site Not Available

  • Hospital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal

    Montreal, Quebec H4J 1C5
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal

    Montréal, Quebec H4J 1C5
    Canada

    Site Not Available

  • Hospital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal

    Montreal 6077243, Quebec 6115047 H4J 1C5
    Canada

    Site Not Available

  • Lille University Hospital Center

    Lille, 59037
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • Lille University Hospital Center

    Lille 2998324, 59037
    France

    Site Not Available

  • Saint-Antoine Hospital - APHP

    Paris, 75012
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • Tenon Hospital - APHP

    Paris, 75020
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • Saint-Antoine Hospital - APHP

    Paris 2988507, 75012
    France

    Site Not Available

  • Tenon Hospital - APHP

    Paris 2988507, 75020
    France

    Site Not Available

  • Hospices Civils de Lyon - Lyon Sud

    Pierre-Bénite, 69310
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospices Civils de Lyon - Lyon Sud

    Pierre-Bénite 2987314, 69310
    France

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Center of Poitiers

    Poitiers, 86000
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Hospital Center of Poitiers

    Poitiers 2986495, 86000
    France

    Site Not Available

  • IUCT-Oncopole

    Toulouse, 31100
    France

    Active - Recruiting

  • IUCT-Oncopole

    Toulouse 2972315, 31100
    France

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Tuebingen, Medical Clinic II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

    Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg 72076
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Tuebingen, Medical Clinic II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

    Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg 72076
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Hospital Tuebingen, Medical Clinic II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

    Tübingen 2820860, Baden-Wurttemberg 2953481 72076
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • Hospital Rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine III: Hematology and Internal Oncology

    Munich, Bavaria 81675
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospital Rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine III: Hematology and Internal Oncology

    Munich 2867714, Bavaria 2951839 81675
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Hamburg 2911298, Hamburg 2911297 20246
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Duesseldorf

    Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia 40225
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Duesseldorf

    Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia 40225
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Hospital Duesseldorf

    Düsseldorf 2934246, North Rhine-Westphalia 2861876 40225
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I

    Dresden, Saxony 01307
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I

    Dresden 2935022, Saxony 2842566 01307
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

    Luebeck, Schleswig-Holstein 23538
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

    Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein 23538
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

    Lübeck 2875601, Schleswig-Holstein 2838632 23538
    Germany

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Hamburg, 20246
    Germany

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospital San Raffaele, IRCCS, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases

    Milan, 20132
    Italy

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospital San Raffaele, IRCCS, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases

    Milan 3173435, 20132
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital of Padova, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine - DIMED

    Padova, 35128
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital of Padova, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine - DIMED

    Padua, 35128
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital of Padova, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine - DIMED

    Padua 3171728, 35128
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • AUSL of Reggio Emilia - Hospital Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Complex Structure of Rheumatology

    Reggio Emilia, 42123
    Italy

    Active - Recruiting

  • AUSL of Reggio Emilia - Hospital Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Complex Structure of Rheumatology

    Reggio Emilia 3169522, 42123
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • Foundation PTV - Polyclinic Tor Vergata Biomedicine and prevention

    Roma, 00133
    Italy

    Active - Recruiting

  • Foundation PTV - Polyclinic Tor Vergata Biomedicine and prevention

    Roma 8957247, 00133
    Italy

    Site Not Available

  • Fukushima Medical University Hospital

    Fukushima, 960-1295
    Japan

    Active - Recruiting

  • Fukushima Medical University Hospital

    Fukushima 2112923, 960-1295
    Japan

    Site Not Available

  • Nagasaki University Hospital

    Nagasaki, 852-8501
    Japan

    Site Not Available

  • Nagasaki University Hospital

    Nagasaki 1856177, 852-8501
    Japan

    Site Not Available

  • Yokohama City University Hospital

    Yokohama, 236-0004
    Japan

    Active - Recruiting

  • Yokohama City University Hospital

    Yokohama 1848354, 236-0004
    Japan

    Site Not Available

  • Hospital Clinic of Barcelona

    Barcelona, 08036
    Spain

    Active - Recruiting

  • Hospital Clinic of Barcelona

    Barcelona 3128760, 08036
    Spain

    Site Not Available

  • Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Department of Clinical Hematology

    Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908
    Spain

    Site Not Available

  • Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Department of Clinical Hematology

    L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908
    Spain

    Active - Recruiting

  • Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Department of Clinical Hematology

    L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 3120619, 08908
    Spain

    Site Not Available

  • University Clinical Hospital of Salamanca

    Salamanca, 37007
    Spain

    Active - Recruiting

  • University Clinical Hospital of Salamanca

    Salamanca 3111108, 37007
    Spain

    Site Not Available

  • St James's University Hospital

    Leeds, LS9 7TF
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

  • St James's University Hospital

    Leeds 2644688, LS9 7TF
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • King's College Hospital, Department of Hematology

    London, SE5 9RS
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

  • Royal Free Hospital

    London, NW3 2QG
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • King's College Hospital, Department of Hematology

    London 2643743, SE5 9RS
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Royal Free Hospital

    London 2643743, NW3 2QG
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Churchill Hospital

    Oxford, OX3 7LE
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Churchill Hospital

    Oxford 2640729, OX3 7LE
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic - Scottsdale

    Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Mayo Clinic - Scottsdale

    Scottsdale 5313457, Arizona 5551752 85259
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

    Baltimore, Maryland 21201
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

    Baltimore 4347778, Maryland 4361885 21201
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts 02215
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston 4930956, Massachusetts 6254926 02215
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mayo Clinic - Rochester

    Rochester, Minnesota 55905
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Mayo Clinic - Rochester

    Rochester 5043473, Minnesota 5037779 55905
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • NYU Langone Health

    New York, New York 10016
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • NYU Langone Health

    New York 5128581, New York 5128638 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland

    Cleveland, Ohio 44195
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

    Columbus, Ohio 43210
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland

    Cleveland 5150529, Ohio 5165418 44195
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

    Columbus 4509177, Ohio 5165418 43210
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas 77030
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston 4699066, Texas 4736286 77030
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Utah Healthcare

    Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Utah Healthcare

    Salt Lake City 5780993, Utah 5549030 84132
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

    Seattle, Washington 98109
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

    Seattle 5809844, Washington 5815135 98109
    United States

    Site Not Available

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