Study on Modified Donor Blood Cell Transplantation for Children and Young Adults with High-Risk Blood Cancers

Program Overview

The study aims to test the safety and effectiveness of using specially modified donor blood cells in children and young adults with high-risk blood cancers. These donor cells are treated in a lab to remove certain T cells that can cause complications, leaving behind cells that are less likely to cause problems. The treatment is for patients whose cancer is in remission but at high risk of returning. The study will also include an additional infusion of memory cells from the donor and may use a drug called blinatumomab for certain patients.

Description

In this study, young patients with high-risk blood cancers who do not have a fully matched donor will receive a special type of blood cell transplant from a family member. The donor cells are treated to remove specific T cells that can cause graft-vs.-host disease, a common complication in transplants. After the initial transplant, patients will receive an additional infusion of memory cells from the donor to help strengthen their immune system. For patients with a specific type of cancer marker (CD19+), a drug called blinatumomab may be added to the treatment.

The main goals are to find the best dose of memory cells to give after the transplant and to see how well this approach works in preventing cancer from returning. The study will also look at the safety of adding blinatumomab and track how well patients recover, including their blood cell counts and overall survival.

Participants will be closely monitored for any side effects and the effectiveness of the treatment. The study will also explore how the immune system rebuilds after the transplant and how well the additional memory cells work in fighting infections or cancer recurrence.

If more than one family member is a suitable donor, the choice will be based on several factors, including how well the donor's and patient's blood types and immune markers match. The donor cells will be collected through a process called leukapheresis after the donor receives a medication to increase the number of stem cells in their blood.

Eligibility Criteria

Locations