Donor Dendritic Cells And Donor Lymphocytes in Patients With Relapsed Hematologic Malignancies After Allogeneic Transplant

The purpose of this study is to test the safety of adding donor dendritic cells to donor lymphocyte infusions, and to determine the type and severity of any side effects associated with this addition. Previously patients with hematologic malignancies who relapsed after transplant have been given infusions of donor white blood cells (donor lymphocyte infusion, DLI) as a way to boost their immune function and fight disease. Although DLI has led to cancer regression in some patients, the overall response rate using DLI alone is low, and unfortunately, rarely lasting. Researchers have discovered a new subset of blood cells, called dendritic cells (DC), which are crucial partners to lymphocytes in generating an immune response. We believe that the infusion of DC together with DLI may improve the ability of the donor lymphocytes to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with hematologic malignancies who have relapsed after related or unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (e.g. CML, AML, ALL, MDS, NHL, HD, CLL, MM)
* At least two months following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
* Patients off any systemic immunosuppressive medication for treatment or prevention of GVHD for minimum of 2 weeks prior to initiation of therapy
* 18 years of age or older
* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Donor medically fit to undergo leukapheresis procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

* Relapsed CML in chronic phase
* Prior donor lymphocyte infusion or other immunotherapy treatment within 8 weeks of enrollment
* Clinically significant and active autoimmune disease in donor or patient
* Evidence of active grade II-IV acute GVHD or active extensive chronic GVHD
* Uncontrolled infection