Patients Sought for New Trial of Adoptive Immunotherapy
CHICAGO-Researchers from three midwestern centers are seeking patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma who have relapsed after an allogeneic stem cell transplant for a new trial of adoptive immunotherapy.
CHICAGOResearchers from three midwestern centers are seeking patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma who have relapsed after an allogeneic stem cell transplant for a new trial of adoptive immunotherapy.
The concept of the study is that lymphocyte infusions from the original donor may induce remission. However, this approach may also be complicated by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
The researchers will attempt remission induction by infusion of IL-2-activated lymphocytes transduced with the herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSTK) gene. If severe GVHD occurs, the infused lymphocytes will be killed by adminis-tration of the prodrug ganciclovir (Cytovene).
For referrals, contact Dr. Richard Burt at Northwestern University (312-908-5400), Dr. William Drobyski or Dr. William Burns at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (414-257-5452), or Dr. Charles Link at the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute, Des Moines, Iowa (515-241-8790).
