Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms, Plasma Cell"

RATIONALE: Giving chemotherapy and total-body irradiation before a donor peripheral blood stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer cells. It also stops the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. The donated stem cells may replace the patient's immune cells and help destroy any remaining cancer cells (graft-versus-tumor effect). Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can also make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving tacrolimus, sirolimus, antithymocyte globulin, and methotrexate before and after transplant may stop this from happening. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well sirolimus, tacrolimus, and antithymocyte globulin work in preventing graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing a donor stem cell transplant for hematological cancer .

RATIONALE: Giving low doses of chemotherapy, such as fludarabine, and radiation therapy before a donor bone marrow or stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer cells. It also stops the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. The donated stem cells may replace the patient's immune system and help destroy any remaining cancer cells (graft-versus-tumor effect). Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can also make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus after transplant may stop this from happening. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying cyclophosphamide and/or mycophenolate mofetil with or without tacrolimus to see which is the best regimen in treating patients who are undergoing a donor bone marrow or stem cell transplant for hematologic cancer.

RATIONALE: Alemtuzumab, tacrolimus, and methylprednisolone may be an effective treatment for graft-versus-host disease caused by a donor stem cell transplant. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving alemtuzumab together with tacrolimus and methylprednisolone works in treating acute graft-versus-host disease in patients who have undergone donor stem cell transplant.

RATIONALE: Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil may be an effective treatment for graft-versus-host disease caused by donor stem cell transplantation. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving tacrolimus together with mycophenolate mofetil works in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease in patients who are undergoing donor stem cell transplantation for advanced hematologic cancer.

RATIONALE: Darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa may stimulate red blood cell production and treat anemia in patients who are receiving chemotherapy. It is not yet known whether darbepoetin alfa is more effective than epoetin alfa in treating patients with anemia. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of darbepoetin alfa with that of epoetin alfa in treating anemia in patients who are receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

RATIONALE: Antifungal therapy with liposomal nystatin may reduce fever and neutropenia in patients undergoing treatment for hematologic cancer. It is not yet known whether liposomal nystatin is more effective than standard amphotericin B in treating patients with fever and neutropenia who are receiving chemotherapy for hematologic cancer or bone marrow transplantation for leukemia. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to study the effectiveness of liposomal nystatin compared with standard amphotericin B to treat fever and neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy for hematologic cancer or bone marrow transplantation for leukemia.

RATIONALE: Antiemetic drugs, such as ondansetron, may help to reduce or prevent nausea and vomiting in patients with advanced cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying how well ondansetron works compared to a placebo in treating patients with advanced cancer and chronic nausea and vomiting that is not caused by cancer therapy.

RATIONALE: Giving St. John's wort may be effective in relieving fatigue in patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy or hormone therapy. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of St. John's wort in relieving fatigue in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or hormone therapy for cancer.

Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of bortezomib in treating patients who have advanced cancer and kidney dysfunction. Bortezomib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for cancer cell growth.

RATIONALE: Omega-3 fatty acids are used by the body for energy and tissue development and may be an effective treatment for patients with advanced cancer who are unable to maintain their body weight. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in treating patients with advanced cancer who have significant weight loss.