The purpose of this research study is to test the safety and effectiveness of VELCADE® in the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that has not responded to steroids or has worsened when the steroid dose was decreased. VELCADE® is a drug that inhibits certain immune reactions that happen when lymphocytes encounter foreign substances. We are doing this research to determine if VELCADE® may be useful in treating GVHD.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication after bone marrow transplantation from another donor. GVHD is caused by certain cells called lymphocytes. Normally these cells make immune reactions that help protect the body from foreign substances that cause infection. Here, these cells attack the normal tissues of the body as if they were foreign substances. This interferes with the normal function of vital organs and results in their damage. In GVHD these cells attack the skin, liver and bowel. GVHD also increases the chances of infection. VELCADE® is a drug that inhibits certain immune reactions that happen when lymphocytes encounter foreign substances. We are doing this research to determine if VELCADE® may be useful in treating GVHD. VELCADE® is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least two prior therapies and have demonstrated disease progression on their last therapy. Its effectiveness is also being tested in other cancers. The dose of the drug being used in this research study is the same as what is used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. It has not been approved by the FDA for use in GVHD. Therefore, using VELCADE® for GVHD is experimental in this research study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
11
Bortezomib at 1.3 mg/m2/dose given twice weekly for two weeks followed by a 10-day rest period. If patients have a complete response, they will receive additional cycles of bortezomib.
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Response to Bortezomib (VELCADE®)
Response is the primary endpoint of this study and will be scored on day 21 (3 weeks after the first dose of VELCADE) and every 3 weeks subsequently. Patients who progress or expire before the end of the study will be considered non-responders. Patients are evaluated for response in an organ if they have AGVHD in that organ at the start of treatment with VELCADE or if AGVHD develops after the start of VELCADE, but before the time period of evaluation. Complete response in an organ is defined as no evidence clinical or biochemical signs of AGVHD. For the overall assessment, it is defined as complete resolution of rash, abnormal LFTs, and absence of diarrhea attributed to AGVHD. Partial response is defined as a one stage decrease in any organ system without worsening in other organ systems.
Time frame: Through 30 days post-treatment
Number of Toxicities Related to Bortezomib (VELCADE®)
Observe the toxicities of VELCADE® when administered to recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in the setting of steroid refractory or steroid dependent acute graft-versus-host disease.
Time frame: Through 30 days post-traeatment
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