SCRIPT-AML

“Västra Götaland Regionen” is responsible for the international implementation of the study (sponsor). Among its various tasks, this regional council is responsible for healthcare in the Västra Götaland region of Sweden. The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) is responsible for performing the study in Switzerland (sponsor’s representative).

Background

The SCRIPT-AML study is open to children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and who are scheduled to receive treatment with stem cell transplantation. In Switzerland, around four patients per year are expected to participate in this study as the disease is very rare.

The prospects of recovery have improved in recent decades. Nonetheless, stem cell transplantation with prior chemotherapy is a very intensive treatment with severe side effects.

Why does the study need to be done?

Before stem cell transplantation, the patient receives chemotherapy. This chemotherapy is part of the preparatory phase for stem cell transplantation and is known as conditioning. In the conditioning phase, standard treatment consists of a combination of three chemotherapy drugs, most frequently busulfan, cyclophosphamide and melphalan (BuCyMel). Some countries use a combination of clofarabine, fludarabine and busulfan (CloFluBu). Both combinations are effective.

In a controlled comparison, the SCRIPT-AML study is now examining whether BuCyMel and CloFluBu are equally effective and whether one of these combinations has fewer side effects.

Participation in the SCRIPT-AML study will help to determine which of the two chemotherapy combinations is better than the other. This will ensure that patients with acute myeloid leukaemia will receive the best possible treatment in the future.