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A Non-Myeloablative Conditioning Regimen with Peri-Transplant Rituximab and the Transplantation of Unrelated Donor Umbilical Cord Blood in Patients with B cell Lymphoid Malignancies

[Protocol 06-066]

Full Title :

A NON-MYELOABLATIVE CONDITIONING REGIMEN WITH PERI-TRANSPLANT RITUXIMAB AND THE TRANSPLANTATION OF UNRELATED DONOR UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD IN PATIENTS WITH B CELL LYMPHOID MALIGNANCIES

Purpose :

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new approach to treating patients with certain types of cancers of the blood, lymph nodes, and/or bone marrow that are advanced and/or are very likely to relapse. Researchers will assess the effectiveness of giving low doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the drug rituximab, and an umbilical cord blood transplant to these patients.

During the transplant, patients will receive blood-forming stem cells collected from a healthy donor. The stem cells chosen for this transplant come from umbilical cord blood. Blood is collected from the umbilical cord of healthy newborn babies and frozen. On the day of the transplant, the cord blood is infused into the patient's blood through a catheter (just like a blood transfusion).

Prior studies have shown that this type of transplant appears safe. However, it is a fairly new form of treatment. Doctors are therefore studying it to better understand how it works.

Eligibility :

To be eligible for this study, patients must meet several criteria, including but not limited to the following:

• Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of a B-cell lymphoid cancer (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia) that is positive for CD20. This protein must be present for rituximab to work.
• Patients may not have a suitably matched and available related or unrelated stem cell donor.
• Patients must between the ages of 18 and 70 (inclusive).

For more information and to see if you are eligible for this study, please contact Dr. Juliet Barker at 212-639-3468.