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Prevention of GVHD in Patients Treated With Allogeneic SCT: Possible Role of Extracorporeal Photophoresis

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Interventions
Other: Extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP)
Registration Number
NCT03204721
Lead Sponsor
Oslo University Hospital
Brief Summary

The main aim is to test the preventive use of extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) against development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancy.

Detailed Description

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation represents the only available long-term control and possible cure of a number of hematological malignancies. A major obstacle to this treatment is the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), affecting the majority of transplanted patients to some extent. Today, combinations of various cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs are used to prevent and treat GVHD, but many of them are associated with severe side-effects. Extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) offers an alternative to chemo- and immunosuppressive therapy and confers apparently only mild side effects. The postulated rationale of ECP is to treat the patient's white blood cells ex vivo with ultraviolet irradiation after sensitization with 8-methoxypsoralen to dampen their immunoactivity. After engraftment the intervention group receives 2 consecutive ECP every week in 2 weeks then 1 ECP every week in 4 weeks ( a total of 8 ECP procedures).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
158
Inclusion Criteria
  • Provide written consent to participate
  • Understand Norwegian or English
  • No previous history of malignant disease
  • No contraindication to ECP-treatment or undergone previous ECP treatment
Exclusion Criteria
  • (in addition to those regarding eligibility for transplantation itself):

    • Unwilling to provide written consent to participate
    • Unable to cooperate as judged by the responsible physician
    • ECOG status > 2 at time of inclusion
    • Using anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic drugs other than those that are part of the treatment of the current hematological malignancy
    • Known allergy to psoralens or citrate products
    • Splenectomy
    • Pregnancy/lactating

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Extracorporeal photophoresisExtracorporeal photophoresis (ECP)The treatment procedure of ECP consists of three steps. First, the leukocytes are removed by apheresis; second, the mononuclear cells are primed with the photosensitizing agent 8-methoxypsoralen; then third, these cells are exposed to radiation with ultraviolet A light before they are re-infused into the patient.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reduce the frequency of GVHD by preventive treatment with ECP of patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignanciesup to 1 year after allogeneic stamcell transplantation

GVHD is measured according to internationally recognized criteria

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of survivors the first year after transplantationThrough study completion, and until 1 year after study start

In the follow-up periode mortality rate in both groups is registered

Number of patients who relapsed the first year after transplantation Number of patients who relapsed the first year after transplantation Number of patients who relapsed the first year after transplantationThrough study completion, and until 1 year after study start

In the follow-up periode relapse rate in both groups is registered

Quality of life (QoL) the first year after transplantationThrough study completion, and until 1 year after study start

In the follow-up periode EORTC-QLQ-C30 scores in both groups are registered

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tobias Gedde-Dhl

🇳🇴

Oslo, Norway

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