Improved Methods of Cell Selection for Bone Marrow Transplant Alternatives
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
0000-00-00
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Bone marrow transplants (BMT) are one form of treatment for disorders of the blood,
including leukemia. However, because the procedure is often associated with potentially
life-threatening reactions, it is usually reserved for patients with serious illnesses under
the age of 60 years old.
One serious reaction complicating bone marrow transplants is referred to as
graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a potentially fatal incompatibility reaction. The
reaction is caused by antigens found on the cells of the patient that are not present on the
cells of the donor. The antigens are recognized by transplanted white blood cells
(lymphocytes). These lymphocytes begin attacking the recipient s cells and tissues and may
lead to death.
In order to avoid GVHD, researchers have developed a technique using peripheral blood
instead of bone marrow that allows transplantation of stem cells and removal of lymphocytes.
Stem cells are the cells responsible for returning blood cell production to normal.
Lymphocytes are the white blood cells that can cause GVHD.
The technique requires two steps. In the first step blood cells are collected from donors
who have received doses of a growth factor. The growth factor (granulocyte colony
stimulating factor) is designed to increase the production of donor stem cells.
In the second step white blood cell lymphocytes are removed from the collected blood,
leaving only the stem cells.
The main goal of this study is to develop and improve the method of processing cells that
are collected after stimulation with growth factor (G-CSF), by removing the white blood cell
lymphocytes which can cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while keeping the stem cells
necessary for healthy blood cell building. In addition, researchers are interested in
studying whether giving G-CSF has an effect on lymphocyte function, which may influence the
immune reactions occurring in bone marrow transplantation.