Allo Non-Myeloablative SCT Utilizing Mis-Matched Family Member Stem Cells Purged Using Campath

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation may cure or ameliorate illnesses of many types; however the toxicity of the procedure limits its broad applicability. Hematologic malignancies of all types have shown responses. Those with marrow failure, such as aplasia, and hemoglobinopathies have further shown responses in multiple trials as well. Even patients with certain solid tumors, such as breast, renal cell, and melanoma have shown partial or complete responses to allogeneic therapy. The limiting effect of the historical methods of aggressive induction for allogeneic therapy were extremely toxic, requiring limiting those offered allogeneic therapy to the healthiest of the ill patients. Work over the last decade has shown that less toxic agents targeting the immune system effectively allowed engraftment with less effects on the patient's liver, lungs, and other vital organs. We and others have completed multiple trials showing the effective use of these less toxic, non-myeloablative, regimens for allogeneic therapy. Trials with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide at standard doses (patients are not ablated and recover blood counts in 2 weeks) allow for 80% of patients to engraft donor cells. Some groups have added low doses of radiation to this combination, with 80-100% allogeneic engraftment. The lessened toxicity of this approach has been confirmed in multiple studies, including our own data with the specific schema in this treatment plan reviewed below. Phase I results with this combination: Our group has combined the above combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide with the antibody CAMPATH 1H. This antibody is given to the patient to purge the immune system and prevent rejection. It also purges the T cells in the donated stem cells to minimize graft versus host disease (GVHD). This approach has been proven successful in multiple trials using standard more toxic ablative procedures. Our approach over the last 3 years has been very successful using this antibody with the less toxic non-myeloablative procedure and our trials have completed. The primary purpose of this treatment trial is to follow patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation for long term outcomes. The regimen used has been tested in our prior phase I / II trial which has completed accrual. The issues of engraftment and rate of graft versus host disease have been answered and our success has led to this regimen being a standard approach for less toxic allogeneic therapy.