This is a Phase I/II single site, open label clinical trial. The purpose of the Phase I
portion is to determine the safety, tolerability, and recommended Phase II dose of
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) when given daily in combination with a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor
(TKI) in subjects with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in chronic stable phase. The
recommended Phase II dose will be the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of EPA as determined by
the evaluation of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The Phase II portion will subsequently
examine the Anti-CML effects of EPA when administered with a TKI at the recommended Phase II
dose. This efficacy objective will be done by evaluating BCR-ABL p210 quantitative PCR blood
levels every 3 months to 1 year.
Targeting CML leukemia stem cells is of paramount importance in successfully preventing
cancer relapse. EPA metabolite, Δ12-PGJ3 may represent a new chemotherapeutic agent for
leukemia that targets leukemia stem cells. Selective targeting of cancer stem cells may be
potentially a highly effective treatment for cancer. As most CML patients treated with a TKI
will reach a complete cytogenetic response, quantification of residual BCR-ABL transcripts by
quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is a critical tool to further monitor
response kinetics. Addition of EPA to TKI may help decrease residual BCR-ABL positive (Ph+)
leukemia stem cells.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male or female ≥18 years of age.
2. Confirmed diagnosis of CML ≥ 18 months from diagnosis.
3. Current concomitant treatment with TKI therapy (Imatinib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib or
Bosutinib; excluding Ponatinib). TKI therapy should be stable (same drug and dose) for
at least 3 months prior to study enrollment.
4. One of the following confirmed:
1. BCR-ABL p210 at stable molecular disease (e.g., MMR stable but not CMR)
2. HR but no MMR.
5. Stable molecular response defined as 2 sequential BCR-ABL p210 levels done in the same
lab with less than ½ log reduction of BCR-ABL (BA) 3-6 months apart.
6. ECOG PS of ≤ 3
7. Adequate organ function, as defined by the following:
ANC ≥ 500 cells/mm3 Platelet count ≥ 50,000 cells/mm3 Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN AST
and ALT ≤ 2.5 x ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 x ULN
8. WOCP as defined as defined as not surgically sterile or not one year post-menopausal,
must have a negative result for a serum or urine pregnancy test within 7 days of
initial receipt of study drug. Surgically sterile is defined as having had a
hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or oophorectomy.
9. WOCP must use a medically accepted method of contraception and must agree to continued
use of this method for the duration of the study and for 30 days after last dose of
study drug. Acceptable methods of contraception include abstinence, barrier method
with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD) known to have a failure rate of less than
1% per year, or steroidal contraceptive (oral, transdermal, implanted, or injected) in
conjunction with a barrier method.
10. Male subjects capable of producing offspring, must use a medically accepted method of
birth control and agree to continued use of this method for the duration of the study
and for 30 days after last dose of study drug because of the possible effects on
spermatogenesis. Acceptable methods of contraception include abstinence, barrier
method with spermicide, WOCP partner's use of an IUD known to have a failure rate of
less than 1% per year, WOCP partner's use of steroidal contraceptive (oral, implanted
or injected) in conjunction with a barrier method, WOCP partner is surgically sterile
or 1 year postmenopausal. In addition, male subjects may not donate sperm for the
duration of the study and for 30 days after last dose of study drug.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Has a malignancy or infection requiring active treatment
2. Has a known HIV infection, Hepatitis B , or Hepatitis C infection
3. Has a known symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), unstable angina or cardiac
arrhythmia
4. Is using Aspirin or NSAID or COX-I
5. Is known to be non-compliant to medications.
6. Has, in the opinion of the physician investigator, an uncontrolled medical or
psychiatric disorder.
7. Has active central nervous system (CNS) leukemia.
8. Is preceding allogeneic stem HSCT.
9. Has a known T 315 I mutation.
10. Is taking FISH oil at EPA dose > 500 mg
