3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
T Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte (T-LGL) Lymphoproliferative Disorders are a heterogeneous group of uncommon diseases which may involve a polyclonal or a monoclonal T cell population, which bear characteristic surface markers corresponding to activated cytotoxic (CD3+, CD8+) lymphocytes. They are often associated with quite severe neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia which may be life-threatening. There is some evidence that the abnormal cytotoxic lymphocyte population may cause the cytopenias by suppressing hematopoiesis, although the mechanism is unclear. Case reports suggest that immunosuppressive therapy directed toward T cells may reverse the cytopenia. This pilot study involving up to 25 patients evaluates the clinical response to cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive drug, and seeks to elucidate the mechanism underlying the cytopenia.
This study will examine the use of alemtuzumab (Campath) in patients with T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL). Patients with T-LGL often have reduced white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, and increased numbers of abnormal cells called large granular lymphocytes (LGLs). Patients may have recurrent infections, anemia, or abnormal bleeding. Campath destroys specific parts of the abnormal LGLs, which interfere with the production of normal blood cells. This study will determine whether Campath can increase blood counts and reduce the number of abnormal LGLs in patients and will examine the side effects of the drug. Patients 18 to 85 years of age with T-LGL leukemia may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following procedures: Before starting Campath treatment * Medical history and physical examination, blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG). * Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and 24-hour Holter monitoring (continuous ECG recording). * Bone marrow biopsy: About a tablespoon of bone marrow is withdrawn through a needle inserted into the hipbone. The procedure is done using local anesthetic. * Placement of central line, if needed: An intravenous line (tube) is placed into a major vein in the chest. It can stay in the body and be used for the entire treatment period. The line is used to give chemotherapy or other medications, including antibiotics and blood transfusions, and to collect blood samples. The line is usually placed under local anesthesia in the radiology department or the operating room. * Apheresis: A catheter (plastic tube) is placed in a vein in each arm. Blood is drawn from one vein and run through a cell-separating machine, where the white blood cells are collected and saved. The remaining blood is transfused back to the patients through the vein in the other arm. During Campath treatment * Campath therapy: After a small test dose, patients receive10 daily infusions of Campath, each of which lasts about 2 hours. The first few infusions are given at the NIH Clinical Center so that the patient can be monitored closely. * Induction therapy: Aerosolized pentamadine, valacyclovir and other medicines are given to protect against or treat various infections that commonly affect patients with suppressed immune systems. * Whole blood or platelet transfusions, if needed, and injections of growth factors, if needed. * Blood tests and check of vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure) every day during treatment. Echocardiogram and 24-hour Holter monitor after the last dose of Campath. Follow-up evaluations after Campath treatment ends * Blood tests at home or at NIH (weekly for the first 3 months, then every other week until 6 months, then annually for 5 years * Echocardiogram at NIH (at 3 months only) * Bone marrow biopsy at NIH (at 6 and 12 months, then as clinically indicated) * One repeat apheresis collection for laboratory studies.
This study will examine the use of the humanized Mik-beta-1 (Hu-Mik-beta1) antibody in patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL). Patients with T-LGL often have reduced white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, and increased numbers of abnormal cells called large granular lymphocytes (LGLs). Patients may have recurrent infections, anemia, or abnormal bleeding. Hu-Mik-beta1 attaches to LGL cells and blocks the action of growth factors called interleukins that stimulate LGL growth. Blocking these interleukins may stop T-LGL leukemia cells from growing. This study will determine the dose and frequency of treatment with Hu-Mik-(SqrRoot) 1 that can safely be given to patients to coat the surface of their leukemic cells with antibody, determine how long the antibody lasts in the blood after injection, and examine the side effects and possible benefits of the drug in these patients. Patients age 18 or older with T-LGL may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, review of pathology studies, skin biopsy, evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis if present, chest x-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scans and other imaging studies as needed, bone marrow biopsy, and blood and urine tests. Participants will receive a single dose of Hu-Mik-beta1 by a 90-minute infusion through a vein. Groups of patients will be treated with increasing doses (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg) of the antibody. Patients who develop serious drug side effects are taken off the study. The treatment requires a 3- to 4-day hospital stay. In addition to Hu-Mik-(SqrRoot) 1 treatment, patients will undergo the following tests and procedures: * Collection of blood for 8 days following the dose of Hu-Mik-beta1 to measure blood levels of the antibody. * Follow-up visits of 1 to 2 days at 22, 29, and 43 days after the dose of the antibody and then every 3 months for a total of 9 months. * Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy if one has not been done within 6 weeks before entering the study, and a repeat biopsy if complete remission of T-LGL is achieved after completing treatment. For the biopsy, an area of the hip is numbed and a special needle is used to draw bone marrow from the hipbone. * Imaging studies, such as chest x-ray and CT scan of the body after completing treatment if the screening scans showed abnormalities due to the T-LGL leukemia. * Lymph node biopsy in individuals with enlarged superficial lymph nodes due to T-LGL leukemia to see if the treatment is reaching the leukemia in the lymph nodes. There may or may not be a direct benefit from participating in this study. However, the results may help in the treatment of future patients.