Skip to main content
UK clinical trials - updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov
TrialConnect
← Back to Search
Looking for participantsPhase3

A Study of Elritercept to Treat Anemia in Adults With Very Low, Low, or Intermediate Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Who Need Regular Blood Transfusions

Sponsor: Takeda

NCT ID: NCT06499285

View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

At a glance

What the study gets you
Access to the study treatment being tested
Type of study
Interventional (receives a drug or procedure)
Time in hospital
In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
Drug or intervention
Elritercept (drug), Placebo (drug)
How long the study runs
Study runs about 84 months (dates as stated)
About the drug or intervention
Elritercept — drug: Elritercept (TAK-226, KER-050) administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. · Placebo — drug: Elritercept (TAK-226, KER-050) matching-placebo administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks.
Patient visit burden
Not specified by the sponsor
Type of study
Testing a treatment
Ages
18 Years and over
Who
All
Number of participants
225
Started
2025-05-06
Last checked
2026-10

Plain English Summary

What is this study?

  • • Testing a new treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes
  • • Phase3 - 225 participants
  • • The main aim of this study is to find out how well elritercept works in lowering the need for RBC transfusions

Who can take part?

  • • Ages 18 Years and over
  • • Diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes

Where?

  • • Aberdeen - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
  • • Rhyl - Glan Clwyd Hospital
  • • Leicester - University Hospitals of Leicester
  • • Lincoln - Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS group
  • • +10 more UK sites

This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.

About This Trial

The main aim of this study is to find out how well elritercept works in lowering the need for RBC transfusions. Other aims are to learn how well elritercept works in reducing the need for RBC transfusions over longer periods of time or in adults with high transfusion needs. The study will also check on how safe elritercept is and how well it is tolerated.

More detail

This is a Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of elritercept (TAK-226, KER-050) versus placebo. Elritercept (TAK-226, KER-050) is an investigational medicinal product being developed for the treatment of anemia in adult participants with a diagnosis of lower-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms/syndromes. After all required Screening Period assessments are completed, and eligibility is confirmed, participants will be randomized and enter the Primary Phase of the Double-Blind Treatment Period. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either elritercept (TAK-226, KER-050) or placebo subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks (Q4W). Participants will be stratified according to their ring sideroblasts (RS) status (RS-positive versus non-RS) and baseline transfusion burden (low-transfusion burden \[LTB\] versus high transfusion burden \[HTB\]). The Primary Phase of the Double-blind Treatment Period will last 24 weeks. The Secondary Phase of the Double-Blind Treatment Period will last an additional 24 weeks. During the Secondary Phase of the Double-Blind Treatment Period, all participants will continue to receive the same double-blind treatment they received during the Primary Phase. Study visits will occur approximately every 2 weeks from Cycle 1 through Cycle 6 and every 4 weeks from Cycle 7 through the remainder of the Double-Blind Treatment Period. During the Extension Phase of the Double-Blind Treatment Period, all eligible participants will continue to receive the same double-blind treatment they received during the Primary and Secondary Phases. Participants will continue in the Extension Phase until they individually discontinue or until the study is unblinded. For participants to remain on double-blind treatment, they must meet the criteria outlined in the MDS disease assessment criteria every 24 weeks. Based on the outcome of the Week 24 MDS disease assessment, participants will either continue in the Extension Phase of the Double-blind Treatment Period or will be discontinued from treatment and proceed to End of Treatment and then into the Safety Follow-up Period. The Safety Follow-Up Period will extend from the last dose of study treatment through 8 weeks after the last dose of study treatment. Study visits should occur every 4 weeks within the Safety Follow-Up Period. Long-term follow-up will take place quarterly after a participant has completed the Safety Follow-Up Period. Long-term follow-up will continue for 5 years from the first dose of study treatment, or until a participant is deceased, is lost to follow-up, withdraws consent, or the study closes, whichever is earliest.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

How this trial compares with your answers

Answer 2 more questions to improve match

What we know so far

Condition· Matched your search
Age· Tell us your age for better matching
Gender· Tell us your sex for better matching

Still need:

  • • Tell us your age for better matching
  • • Tell us your sex for better matching

Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.

Eligibility at a Glance

Key info

  • Age: 18 Years and over
  • Who can join: All genders

Biomarkers mentioned

CD4known positive

Treatment history

Treatments you must have had:

  • ✓ been either: i

What the study is looking for

  • ✓Male or female greater than or equal to (≥)18 years of age at the time of signing agreement to take part.
  • ✓Transfusion dependence assessed in the 16 weeks immediately preceding randomization in two 8-week blocks, classified...
  • ✓Refractory or intolerant to prior erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment (discontinued ≥4 weeks before...
  • ✓c. Unlikely to respond to ESA treatment: low chance of response to ESA based on an endogenous serum EPO level...
  • ✓Less than 5 percent (%) blasts in an evaluable bone marrow sample collected at Screening.

Who cannot take part

  • ✗Del(5q) MDS, secondary MDS (MDS with a documented history of prior exposure to drug treatment, radiotherapy, or other...
  • ✗Anemia due to any other known cause (e.g., thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, bleeding events, or deficiency of iron,...
  • ✗Receipt of RBC transfusion for any reason(s) other than underlying MDS within 16 weeks before randomization.
  • ✗Clinically significant cardiovascular disease defined as:
  • ✗New York Heart Association heart disease class III or IV;
See the full criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to understand the purpose and risks of the study and provide signed and dated informed consent and authorization to use protected health information and/or protected personal data in accordance with national and local study participant data protections and privacy regulations. * Male or female greater than or equal to (≥)18 years of age at the time of signing informed consent. * Diagnosis of MDS with or without RS (as determined in an evaluable bone marrow sample, read by an independent central reader to confirm diagnosis at Screening) according to the World Health Organization 2016 classification that meets the International Prognostic Scoring System-Revised (IPSS-R) classification of very low, low, or intermediate risk disease. In cases where a local bone marrow (BM) assessment establishing an MDS diagnosis was conducted within 12 weeks prior to informed consent form (ICF) signature, the associated local BM samples and/or reports may be permitted. * Transfusion dependence assessed in the 16 weeks immediately preceding randomization in two 8-week blocks, classified as either: a. LTB, defined as 4 to 7 RBC units per 16 weeks; or b. HTB, defined as ≥8 RBC units per 16 weeks; and c. For all participants: i. Only transfusion events for a pretransfusion hemoglobin (Hgb) lesser than (\<)10 grams per deciliter (g/dL) are counted toward eligibility; ii. At least 1 transfusion event in each 8-week period and a minimum of 2 transfusion events separated by ≥7 days within the 16-week period immediately preceding randomization; and iii. No consecutive 56-day period can be RBC transfusion-free during the 16-week period immediately preceding randomization. * Refractory or intolerant to prior erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment (discontinued ≥4 weeks before randomization), or unlikely to respond to ESA treatment, defined as follows: a. Refractory to prior ESA treatment: documentation of nonresponse or a response that was no longer maintained with a prior ESA-containing regimen, either as a single agent or combination (e.g., with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor \[G-CSF\]); ESA regimen must have been either: i. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) ≥30,000 international units per week (IU/week) for ≥8 doses or equivalent; or ii. Darbepoetin alpha ≥500 micrograms (μg) every 3 weeks for ≥3 doses or ≥ 120 μg every week for ≥ 8 doses or equivalent. b. Intolerant to prior ESA treatment: documentation of discontinuation of a prior ESA-containing regimen, either as a single agent or combination (e.g., with G-CSF), at any time after introduction due to intolerance or an AE. c. Unlikely to respond to ESA treatment: low chance of response to ESA based on an endogenous serum EPO level greater than (\>)200 units per liter (U/L). * Less than 5 percent (%) blasts in an evaluable bone marrow sample collected at Screening. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2. * Females of childbearing potential and sexually active males must agree to use highly effective methods of contraception. * In the opinion of the Investigator, the participant is able and willing to comply with the requirements of the protocol (e.g., all study procedures, return for follow-up visits). Exclusion Criteria: * Del(5q) MDS, secondary MDS (MDS with a documented history of prior exposure to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other leukemogenic agents that is considered causally related to the development of MDS). * Anemia due to any other known cause (e.g., thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, bleeding events, or deficiency of iron, B12, and/or folate). * Receipt of RBC transfusion for any reason(s) other than underlying MDS within 16 weeks before randomization. * Clinically significant cardiovascular disease defined as: 1. New York Heart Association heart disease class III or IV; 2. Fridericia corrected QT (QTcF) interval \>500 milliseconds during Screening; 3. Presence of uncontrolled hypertension defined as mean systolic blood pressure ≥160 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg during Screening; or 4. Uncontrolled arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina within 6 months before Screening. * Known ejection fraction \<35%, confirmed by a local echocardiogram performed during Screening, or a previously performed echocardiogram if collected within 6 months before Screening. * Child-Pugh class C hepatic impairment. * Stroke, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism within 6 months before Screening. * Any known history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). * Prior history of malignancies, other than MDS, unless participant has been free of the disease (including completion of any treatment, including maintenance, for prior malignancy) for ≥ 2 years. However, participants with a history or concurrent diagnosis of the following conditions are allowed if not requiring systemic therapy: 1. Basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; 2. Carcinoma in situ of the cervix; 3. Carcinoma in situ of the breast; and/or 4. Incidental histologic finding of prostate cancer (T1a or T1b using the tumor, node, metastasis \[TNM\] clinical staging system). 5. Early papillary thyroid cancer (stage I \[T1-T2, N0, M0\]). * History of solid organ or bone marrow transplantation. * Active infection requiring intravenous treatment (e.g., antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals) within 28 days, or oral treatment within 14 days before randomization. * Active infection with HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Participants with a history of HIV infection may be enrolled if they are receiving antiretroviral therapy and have a documented CD4+ T cell count \> 200 cells per microliter (cells/μL) at screening. Participants without known positive history of HIV, HBV, and/or HCV do not require further testing, unless testing is mandated per local guidelines. * Body mass index ≥ 40 kilograms per meter square (kg/m\^2). * Major surgery within 28 days before randomization. * History of allergy/anaphylaxis to investigational medicinal product (IMP) excipients (refer to the current elritercept IB for a list of excipients) or recombinant proteins. * Prior use of elritercept, luspatercept, or sotatercept. * Prior use of hypomethylating agents (HMAs), isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitor, lenalidomide, imetelstat, or immunosuppressive therapy given for treatment of MDS. * Iron chelation therapy initiated within 8 weeks before randomization. Participants on stable or decreasing doses of iron chelation therapy for ≥ 8 weeks are allowed. * Vitamin B12 or folate therapy initiated within 4 weeks before randomization. Participants on stable replacement doses for ≥ 4 weeks and without ongoing concurrent vitamin B12 or folate deficiency are allowed. * Androgen use within 8 weeks before randomization. Participants on stable androgen dosing for hypogonadism for ≥ 8 weeks are allowed. * High-dose systemic corticosteroid use within 4 weeks before randomization. Participants on stable chronic steroid doses of prednisone lesser than or equal to (≤) 10 milligrams per day (mg/day) or corticosteroid equivalent for ≥ 4 weeks are allowed.10 mg/day or corticosteroid equivalent for ≥ 4 weeks are allowed. * Treatment with any investigational drug within 28 days before Screening or, if the half-life of the product is known, within 5 times the half-life before Screening, whichever is longer. * Ongoing participation in another interventional clinical study. * Serum EPO level \>500 U/L. * Platelet count ≥800 × 10\^9 per liter (/L) or ≤25 × 10\^9/L. * Absolute neutrophil count ≤ 500 per microliter (/µL). * Serum aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase ≥3 × the upper limit of normal (ULN). * Total bilirubin ≥2 × ULN unless attributable to Gilbert's syndrome. Participants with known history of Gilbert syndrome with unconjugated bilirubin \< 3 × ULN are allowed. Higher levels, if attributed to active RBC precursor destruction within the bone marrow (ineffective erythropoiesis), may be allowed upon medical monitor review. * Ferritin ≤ 50 micrograms per litre (μg/L). * Folate ≤2.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). * Vitamin B12 ≤200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). * Estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 milliliters per minute per 1.73 meter square (mL/min/1.73m\^2) as determined by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) Collaboration equation. * Pregnant or lactating female. * Any other condition not specifically noted above that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would preclude the participant from participating in the study or could confound interpretation of data from the study. * Investigational site staff members directly involved in the conduct of the study and site staff members otherwise supervised by the Investigator, employees of the Sponsor or CRO directly involved in the conduct of the study, or immediate family members (defined as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, whether biological or legally adopted). * For Participants in France: Persons under court protection, persons not affiliated with a social security system, and protected adults (per applicable French law \[Art. L. 1121-6, Art. L. 1121-8, Art. L. 1121-8-1\]).

Where Is This Study? (14 UK sites)

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Dominic CulliganPrincipal Investigator

Glan Clwyd Hospital

Rhyl LL18 5UJ, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Earnest HeartinPrincipal Investigator

University Hospitals of Leicester

Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Matthew LeePrincipal Investigator

Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS group

Lincoln LN2 5QY, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Ciro RinaldiPrincipal Investigator
Site Contactcrinaldi@nhs.net

The Newcastle Upon Tyne University Hospitals Foundation Trust

High Heaton NE7 7DN, United Kingdom

NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Site contact (verified)
Michelle LannonPrincipal Investigator

South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust

Sunderland SR4 7TP, United Kingdom

NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Site contact (verified)
Scott MarshallPrincipal Investigator

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Vidhya MurthyPrincipal Investigator

Addenbrooke's Hospital

Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Duncan BrianPrincipal Investigator

St James's University Hospital

Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Catherine CargoPrincipal Investigator

King's College Hospital

London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Austin KulasekararajPrincipal Investigator

Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI)

London W1G 6AD, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Jennifer O'Sullivan (Dillon)Principal Investigator

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Daniel WisemanPrincipal Investigator

Nottingham City Hospital

Nottingham NG5 1PB, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Jennifer ByrnePrincipal Investigator

Churchill Hospital

Oxford OX3 7LE, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Oni ChowdhuryPrincipal Investigator

How to Get in Touch

Takeda Contact

Sponsor contact

CONTACT

+1-877-825-3327 medinfoUS@takeda.com
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov · Last verified: 2026-10