Stem Cell (Modified Bone Marrow) Transplantation in HIV-Infected Patients With Blood Cancer

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2001-11-01

Summary

This study will investigate the safety and effectiveness of a new stem cell transplant procedure to treat acute or chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in HIV-infected patients.

HIV-infected patients usually are not offered bone marrow transplant treatments because they are at increased risk of dying from the intense chemotherapy and radiation therapy used for the procedure. This study uses a modified procedure, transplanting stem cells instead of bone marrow, designed to be less dangerous for such patients. Patients will also undergo a procedure called gene transfer to try to halt progression of their HIV infection. The procedure in this study differs from standard bone marrow transplantation in three ways:

Stem cells will be transplanted instead of bone marrow. (Stem cells, which are produced by the bone marrow, mature into the different blood components-white and red cells and platelets.) The stem cell donor will be given a drug that releases these cells from their bone marrow into the blood stream. The cells will then be collected from the donor by apheresis, a procedure in which whole blood is drawn, the stem cells separated and removed, and the rest of the blood returned to the donor.);

The procedure will use lower doses of chemotherapy than the conventional method, and will not use radiation therapy; or

A laboratory-manufactured gene designed to obstruct HIV reproduction will be inserted into the stem cells, rendering future cells that develop from resistance to the virus.

Prospective patients will be tested for matching with an HIV-negative donor (family member) and will undergo a medical history, physical examination and several tests (e.g., breathing tests, X-rays, etc.) to determine eligibility for the study. Study participants will then undergo apheresis to collect white blood cells called lymphocytes. Stem cells will be collected from the donor. Half the donated cells will have the HIV-resistant gene inserted; the other half will have a "control" gene inserted. Additional stem cells collected a second day will not be manipulated. All the donor cells will be frozen until transplantation.

Patients will be given drugs (cyclophosphamide, fludarabine and cyclosporin) to prevent the donated cells from being rejected and to prevent them from damaging the patient's organs. The thawed stem cells will then be infused through a vein. After 30, 60 and 100 days, bone marrow cells and circulating lymphocytes will be checked to see how many are of donor cell origin. If less than 100 percent are of donor origin, more lymphocytes will be transfused. Patients will have physical examinations and blood tests once or twice a week for 2 to 3 months with and then will be followed periodically for at least 5 years.

• Phase: Phase 1

Details

• Lead Sponsor: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)