Active clinical trials for "Myelodysplastic Syndromes"

The purpose of this study is to see whether hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients can consistently eat a diet rich in prebiotics. This type of diet may be helpful in maintaining diversity in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and therefore potentially decreasing risk of other GI problems.

Specific Aim 1: To determine whether endogenous metabolomics-based biomarkers obtained before IV BU administration can predict IV BU clearance. Specific Aim 2: To characterize IV BU metabolism by metabolomics. Specific Aim 3: To identify covariates influencing IV BU pharmacokinetics.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in collaboration with The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, are conducting a study of a medicinal mushroom extract called Maitake (pronounced my-tock-e). Laboratory studies show that Maitake can reduce the growth of cancer in animals. The Maitake does not kill cancer cells directly. It is believed to work through the immune system (the body's defense system against infection). Our test tube, animal and human dose determining studies show that Maitake can enhance immune function. We are conducting this study to see whether Maitake improves the neutrophil count and function in patients with MDS. The neutrophils are white blood cells which help to fight infection.

This study will see if the researchers can lower that risk by giving the patient Palifermin. This drug helps protect the lining of the mouth, throat, and stomach. These areas typically get sores or ulcers while the blood cell counts are very low. The patient can get infections in or from these sores. Palifermin might also help the immune system recover faster. It is currently approved for patients who receive their own stem cells. That is called an autologous transplant. This study will test the use of Palifermin for T-cell depleted allogeneic stem cell transplants.

One of two different doses of thymoglobulin will allow bone marrow engraftment with minimal Graft-versus-Host Disease and allow adequate immune response to allow the transplanted stem cells to replace the tumor cells.

The goal of this research study is to identify biologic and lifestyle factors that may increase a person's risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment for a previous cancer (treatment-related AML/MDS).

The purpose of this study is to find out the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combined therapy of lenalidomide (Revlimid®) and Granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor and CD40 Ligand expressed in the K562 cell line (GM.CD40L) bystander vaccine. This research is also being done to see how well the combination of these drugs works to fight myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

This is a single center, "modified standard design" dose escalation study designed to determine the maximum tolerated, minimum efficacious dose (MTD/MED) of IL-15 (Intravenous Recombinant Human IL-15) and incidence of donor natural killer (NK) cell expansion by day +14 when given after haploidentical donor NK cells in patients with relapse or refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

This study hopes to show that specially treated umbilical cord cells, called stem cells, can be safely given to a person after they receive chemoradiation therapy or chemotherapy for their illness. During chemoradiation therapy or chemotherapy, a person loses all of the cells that are needed to make the different types of cells in their blood, including their immune system cells. These cells must be replaced in order for the blood and immune systems to work properly. Some people receive bone marrow transplants or other types of stem cell transplants to get the cells they need. CB001 is being developed as an option for people who need bone marrow transplants or other types of transplants to replace those cells. It is also being developed for people who do not have the option of other types of transplants.

Blood and marrow stem cell transplant has improved the outcome for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, most patients do not have an appropriate HLA (immune type) matched sibling donor available and/or are unable to identify an acceptable unrelated HLA matched donor through the registries in a timely manner. Another option is haploidentical transplant using a partially matched family member donor. Although haploidentical transplant has proven curative in many patients, this procedure has been hindered by significant complications, primarily regimen-related toxicity including graft versus host disease (GVHD) and infection due to delayed immune reconstitution. These can, in part, be due to certain white blood cells in the graft called T cells. GVHD happens when the donor T cells recognize the body tissues of the patient (the host) are different and attack these cells. Although too many T cells increase the possibility of GVHD, too few may cause the recipient's immune system to reconstitute slowly or the graft to fail to grow, leaving the patient at high-risk for significant infection. This research project will investigate the use of particular pre-transplant conditioning regimen (chemotherapy, antibodies and total body irradiation) followed by a stem cell infusion from a "mismatched" family member donor. Once these stem cells are obtained they will be highly purified in an effort to remove T cells using the investigational CliniMACS stem cell selection device. The primary goal of this study will be to determine the rate of neutrophil and platelet engraftment, as well as the degree and rate of immune reconstitution in the first 100 days posttransplant for patients who receive this study treatment. Researchers will also study ways to decrease complications that may occur with a transplant from a genetically mismatched family donor.