Active clinical trials for "Myelodysplastic Syndromes"

Subjects are being asked to participate in this study because treatment of their disease requires them to receive a stem cell transplant. Stem cells or "mother" cells are the source of normal blood cells and lead to recovery of blood counts after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Unfortunately, there is not a perfectly matched stem cell donor (like a sister or brother) and the subject's disease is considered rapidly progressive and does not permit enough time to identify another donor (like someone from a registry list that is not their relative). We have, however, identified a close relative of the subject's whose stem cells are not a perfect match, but can be used. However, with this type of donor, there is typically an increased risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a high rate of transplant failure, and a longer delay in the recovery of the immune system. GVHD is a serious and sometimes fatal side effect of stem cell transplant. GVHD occurs when the new donor cells (graft) recognizes that the body tissues of the patient (host) are different from those of the donor. When this happens, cells in the graft may attack the host organs, primarily the skin, liver, and intestines. The number of occurrences and harshness of severe GVHD depends on several factors, including the degree of genetic differences between the donor and recipient, the intensity of the pre-treatment conditioning regimen, the quantity of transplanted cells, and the recipient's age. In recipients of mismatched family member or matched unrelated donor stem cell transplants, there is a greater risk of GVHD so that 70-90% of recipients of unchanged marrow will develop severe GVHD which could include symptoms such as marked diarrhea, liver failure, or even death. In an effort to lower the occurrences and severity of graft-versus-host disease in patients and to lower the rate of transplant failure, we would like to specially treat the donor's blood cells to remove cells that are most likely to attack the patient's tissues. This will occur in combination with intense conditioning treatment that the patient will receive before the transplant.

RATIONALE: Giving total-body irradiation and chemotherapy, such as thiotepa and fludarabine, before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer or abnormal cells. It also helps stop the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. When the healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient they may help the patient's bone marrow make stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving methylprednisolone and antithymocyte globulin before transplant and peripheral blood cells that have been treated in the laboratory after transplant may stop this from happening. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of laboratory-treated peripheral blood cell infusion after donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with hematologic cancers or other diseases.

Azacitidine will be given at a dose of 75 mg/sqm (s.c) daily for 5 consecutive days every 28 days (every month) for a total of 8 courses to low risk MDSs according to IPSS scoring system. In fact, several studies produced high rates of trilineage responses, reduces the risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in high-risk MDS and improves the quality of life (QoL). The use of 5-Aza in the earlier phases of MDS could reduce the proliferative advantage of MDS clone and favour the regrowth of normal hematopoiesis.

This is a Phase I study that determines a tolerable combination of sorafenib, when given sequentially with cytarabine and clofarabine and determines the feasibility of administering this drug combination in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), infantile leukemia (both either AML and/or ALL). AML with prior myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, and biphenotypic leukemia.

Higher risk MDS with del(5q) carry very poor prognosis, but show some response to azacitidine and Lenalidomide as single agents . The combination of Lenalidomide and Azacytidine is currently tested in non del 5q MDS patients. Preliminary results have been recently presented at ASH meeting (Sekeres et al, 2007). Overall, the combination of Lenalidomide and Azacitidine is well-tolerated and early results suggest some efficacy in advanced MDS without del 5q. In this trial, we will combine Lenalidomide to Azacytidine in higher risk MDS with del (5q). Patients will receive azacitidine( 75mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days) combined to escalating doses of lenalidomide (starting at relatively low dose). For patients in hematological CR, PR, HI or marrow CR after cycle 2 or 4, it is mandatory to continue on Azacitidine + Lenalidomide as long as there is no unacceptable toxicity or overt progression, with the schedule that yielded response. In patient still responding after 52 weeks, the drug will continue to be supplied, and follow up until death will be continued in all patients.

This is a Phase 1 study during which patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will receive investigational study drug ARRY-614. This study has 2 parts. In the first part, patients will receive increasing doses of study drug, given either with food or without food, in order to achieve the highest dose of the study drug possible that will not cause unacceptable side effects. Approximately 60 patients from the US will be enrolled in Part 1 (Completed). In the second part of this study, patients will receive the best dose of study drug, given either with food or without food, determined from the first part of the study and will be followed to see what side effects and effectiveness the study drug has, if any, in treating the cancer. Approximately 40 patients from the US will be enrolled in Part 2 (Completed).

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if giving 5-aza-2 deoxycytidine (decitabine) in combination with Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) can help to control AML or high-risk MDS. The safety of this drug combination will also be studied.

This phase II trial studies how well cyclophosphamide works in preventing chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant in patients with hematological malignancies. Giving chemotherapy and total-body irradiation before transplantation helps stop the growth of cancer cells and prevents the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. Healthy stem cells from a donor that are infused into the patient help the patient's bone marrow make blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes, however, the transplanted donor cells can cause an immune response against the body's normal cells, which is called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Giving cyclophosphamide after transplant may prevent this from happening or may make chronic GVHD less severe.

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if combining busulfan with clofarabine and fludarabine can help control the disease better than the previous standard method (using busulfan and fludarabine alone) in patients with AML or MDS. The safety of this combination therapy will also be studied.

This randomized pilot clinical trial studies how well giving prolonged infusion compared to standard infusion of cefepime hydrochloride works in treating patients with febrile neutropenia. Giving cefepime hydrochloride over a longer period of time may be more effective than giving cefepime hydrochloride over the standard time.