Active clinical trials for "Hematologic Diseases"

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation may provide long-term remissions for some patients with hematological malignancies. However, allogeneic transplantation is associated with a significant risk of potentially life threatening complications due to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation on the body and the risks of serious infection. In addition, patients may develop a condition called Graft versus host disease that arises from an inflammatory reaction of the donor cells against the recipient's normal tissues. The risk of graft versus host disease is somewhat increased in patients who are receiving a transplant from an unrelated donor. One approach to reduce the toxicity of allogeneic transplantation is a strategy call nonmyeloablative or "mini" transplants. In this approach, patients receive a lower dose of chemotherapy in an effort to limit treatment related side effects. Patients undergoing this kind of transplant remain at risk for graft versus host disease particularly if they receive a transplant from an unrelated donor. The purpose of this research study is to examine the ability of a drug called CAMPATH-1H to reduce the risk of graft versus host disease and make transplantation safer. CAMPATH-1H binds to and eliminates cells in the system such as T cells that can cause graft versus host disease (GvHD). As a result, earlier studies have shown that patients who receive CAMPATH-1H with an allogeneic transplant have a lower risk of GvHD. In the present study, we will examine the impact of treatment with CAMPATH-1H as part of an allogeneic transplant on the development of GvHD and infection. In addition, we will study the effects of CAMPATH-1H on the immune system by testing blood samples in the laboratory.

The purpose of this study is to compare standard therapy (transfusions and chelation) with alternative therapy (hydroxyurea and phlebotomy) for the prevention of secondary stroke and management of iron overload in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA).

This is a prospective, randomized Phase III trial of FLAC chemotherapy with GM-CSF versus PIXY321 in advanced breast cancer. The primary endpoints of this study will be the duration of thrombocytopenia and the time to recovery of platelets to 50,000/microliters. Other clinical endpoints will include the depth and duration of leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia, the platelet and RBC transfusion requirements, and the number of documented instances of sepsis and hospitalizations for fever and neutropenia. Laboratory correlates will include the detailed evaluation of the effects on circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells by GM-CSF and PIXY321 and the potential effects these agents have on the bone marrow micro-environment. After 5 cycles of FLAC with GM-CSF versus PIXY321, patients will be treated with 5 cycles of 96 hour infusional taxol. The goal of this part of the study will be to assess the toxicity and feasibility of administering infusional taxol following dose-intensive FLAC chemotherapy.

To determine whether administration of human recombinant erythropoietin (REPO) improved or eliminated the anemia seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients after therapy with zidovudine (ZDV).

Isolated thrombocytopenia is a common and severe complication of HSCT, which often leads to an increased risk of life-threatening hemorrhage, frequent requirement of platelet transfusions and extended hospital stays, representing a challenging clinical problem. Current treatments for thrombocytopenia after HSCT are frequently unsatisfactory in platelet recovery and for preventing potentially fatal bleeding complications. Therefore, it is urgent to explore an effective therapy to improve the outcomes of thrombocytopenia after HSCT. Previous studies have demonstrated that decitabine, a hypomethylating agent, may reduce platelet transfusions in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. The investigators conducted an prospective clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficiency of rhTPO and decitabine in the treatment of thrombocytopenia following HSCT.

This study will be a single-center treatment protocol, designed to validate the process of related donor haploidentical-SCT at the Wilmot Cancer Institute Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit.

Background: - Interleukin-2 is a drug that can help stimulate the body s response to inflammation. High dose interleukin-2 has been used to treat different types of cancer and immune system disorders. However, it can cause frequent and often serious side effects at the doses currently used for treatment. Very low dose interleukin-2 (700 folds less than regular dose) was previously tested in cancer patients and stem cell transplant recipients. The study observed important immune changes and minimal side effects in those patients. Researchers want to test the healthy immune system's responses to very low doses of interleukin-2 to better understand how the drug works. Objectives: - To study the effects of very low doses of interleukin-2 on healthy volunteers. Eligibility: - Healthy volunteers at least 18 years of age. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will also have blood and urine samples. Participants will receive one of two possible very low doses of interleukin-2 every day for 5 days. Blood samples will be taken twice before the first dose, 1 day after the first dose, and before the next three doses. Followup blood samples will be taken on Days 7, 14, and 28 after the first dose.

To evaluate engraftment and toxicity of a reduced intensity preparative regimen for patients who receive a matched related or unrelated donor allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) for malignant hematological diseases

This is a research study involving the treatment of leukemia or lymphoma (lymph gland cancer) in adults who have leukemia or lymphoma that is unlikely to be cured with regular anticancer drugs or radiation treatments.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of oral SCIO-469 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. SCIO-469 belongs to a new class of treatments that inhibit expression and activity of cytokines that play a role in the progression of MDS.