This is a phase II open-label trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of tocilizumab in improving GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for hematologic malignancy.
The research team earlier hypothesized and demonstrated that tocilizumab could attenuate the incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) after myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), using matched sibling or unrelated donor. In this study, the research team hypothesizes that longer term interleukin 6 (IL-6) inhibition through treatment with tocilizumab by repeated dosing would mediate a beneficial effect not only on the risk of aGVHD, but also on chronic GVHD. This will be achieved by administering an additional dose of tocilizumab at Day +100 post-alloHCT, besides the pretransplant dose, as done in our previous clinical trial, thereby providing total prophylaxis against both acute and chronic GVHD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
29
Tacrolimus will be given intravenously at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg/day starting Day -3. Subsequent dosing will be based on blood levels.
Methotrexate will be administered at the doses of 15 mg/m2 IV bolus on Day +1, and 10 mg/m2 IV bolus on Days +3, +6 and +11 after hematopoietic cell infusion.
Tocilizumab will be administered intravenously (IV) at a dose of 8 mg/kg (maximum dose of 800 mg) once on the Day -1 approximately 24 hours prior to the estimated time of the hematopoietic cell infusion, and subsequently, on Day +100 (+/- 14 days, i.e., Days +86 to +114) post-alloHCT. The infusion will be administered over 60 minutes through a dedicated IV line and must not be administered by IV bolus.
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
The Number of Patients With GVHD/Relapse-free (GRFS) Survival
GRFS is defined as survival without grade III-IV acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), systemic therapy requiring chronic GVHD, relapse, or death at 12 months after matched related/unrelated donor bone marrow or peripheral blood allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) using myeloablative conditioning (MAC). Patients who are alive without GVHD will be censored at the last follow-up.
Time frame: Day 365
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