Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This phase II trial studies the effect of venetoclax together with busulfan, cladribine, and fludarabine in treating patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who are undergoing stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy drugs, such as venetoclax, busulfan, cladribine, and fludarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Adding venetoclax to the current standard of care stem cell transplant regimen of busulfan, fludarabine, and cladribine may help to control high-risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, best dose, and effectiveness of 225Ac-DOTA-Anti-CD38 daratumumab monoclonal antibody in combination with fludarabine, melphalan and total marrow and lymphoid irradiation (TMLI) as conditioning treatment for donor stem cell transplant in patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Daratumumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and cancer cells. Daratumumab may block CD38 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. Radioimmunotherapy is treatment with a radioactive substance that is linked to a monoclonal antibody, such as daratumumab, that will find and attach to cancer cells. Radiation given off by the radioisotope my help kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fludarabine and melphalan, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. TMLI is a targeted form of body radiation that targets marrow, lymph node chains, and the spleen. It is designed to reduce radiation-associated side effects and maximize therapy effect. Actinium Ac 225-DOTA-daratumumab combined with fludarabine, melphalan and TMLI may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective as conditioning treatment for donor stem cell transplant in patients with high-risk AML, ALL, and MDS.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects and effectiveness of emapalumab with post-transplant cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after reduced-intensity donor (allogeneic) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Giving chemotherapy, such as fludarabine, melphalan, or busulfan, before a donor \[peripheral blood stem cell\] transplant helps kill cancer cells in the body and helps make room in the patient's bone marrow for new blood-forming cells (stem cells) to grow. When healthy stem cells for a donor are infused into a patient (allogeneic HCT), they may help the patient's bone marrow make more healthy cells and platelets. Allogeneic HCT is an established treatment, however, GVHD continues to be a major problem of allogeneic HCT that can complicate therapy. GVHD is a disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient. Emapalumab binds to an immune system protein called interferon gamma. This may help lower the body's immune response and reduce inflammation. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Tacrolimus is a drug used to help reduce the risk of rejection by the body of organ and bone marrow transplants. Mycophenolate mofetil is a drug used to prevent GVHD after organ transplants. It is also being studied in the prevention of GVHD after stem cell transplants for cancer, and in the treatment of some autoimmune disorders. Mycophenolate mofetil is a type of immunosuppressive agent. Giving emapalumab with post-transplant cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in preventing GVHD in patients with AML or MDS after a reduced-intensity allogeneic HCT.