Dr. Carrie Kitko
Claim this profileVanderbilt University Medical Center
Studies Graft-versus-Host Disease
Studies Leukemia
11 reported clinical trials
19 drugs studied
Area of expertise
1Graft-versus-Host Disease
HLA negative
RB1 positive
HLA-A positive
2Leukemia
HLA negative
RB1 positive
HLA-A positive
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials Carrie Kitko is currently running
Steroid Tapering
for Pediatric Graft-versus-Host Disease
The standard treatment for acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is to suppress the activity of the donor immune cells using steroid medications such as prednisone. Although most GVHD, especially in children, responds well to treatment, sometimes (around 1/3 of the time) there is either no response to steroids or the response does not last. In those cases, the GVHD can become dangerous and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, doctors cannot predict who will have a good response to treatment based on symptom severity or initial response to steroids. As a result, nearly all children who develop GVHD are treated with long courses of high dose steroids even though that means many patients receive more treatment than they probably need. Steroid treatment can cause short-term complications like infections, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping and long-term complications like bone damage, cataracts in the eyes, and decreased growth. The risk of these complications increases with higher doses of steroids and longer treatment. It is important to find ways to decrease the steroid treatment in patients who do not need long courses. The doctors conducting this research have developed a blood test (GVHD biomarkers) that predicts whether a patient will respond well to steroids. The study team found that children who have low GVHD biomarkers at the start of treatment and for the first two weeks of treatment have a very high response rate to steroids. In this study, the study team will monitor GVHD symptoms and biomarkers during treatment and taper steroids quickly in patients who have GVHD that is expected to respond very well to treatment. The study team will assess how many patients respond well to lower steroid dosing and what steroid complications develop. The study team will also use surveys to obtain the patient's own assessment of their quality of life (down to age 5 years).
Recruiting1 award Phase 2
Stem Cell Transplantation
for Leukemia
This phase III trial compares hematopoietic (stem) cell transplantation (HCT) using mismatched related donors (haploidentical \[haplo\]) versus matched unrelated donors (MUD) in treating children, adolescents, and young adults with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). HCT is considered standard of care treatment for patients with high-risk acute leukemia and MDS. In HCT, patients are given very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, which is intended to kill cancer cells that may be resistant to more standard doses of chemotherapy; unfortunately, this also destroys the normal cells in the bone marrow, including stem cells. After the treatment, patients must have a healthy supply of stem cells reintroduced or transplanted. The transplanted cells then reestablish the blood cell production process in the bone marrow. The healthy stem cells may come from the blood or bone marrow of a related or unrelated donor. If patients do not have a matched related donor, doctors do not know what the next best donor choice is. This trial may help researchers understand whether a haplo related donor or a MUD HCT for children with acute leukemia or MDS is better or if there is no difference at all.
Recruiting2 awards Phase 3
More about Carrie Kitko
Clinical Trial Related6 years of experience running clinical trials · Led 11 trials as a Principal Investigator · 6 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments Carrie Kitko has experience with
- Biospecimen Collection
- Medical Chart Review
- Quality-of-Life Assessment
- Lactobacillus Plantarum
- Questionnaire Administration
- Matched Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (MUD-HCT)
Breakdown of trials Carrie Kitko has run
Graft-versus-Host Disease
Leukemia
Blood Cancers
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to participate in a trial?
Almost all clinical trials will cover the cost of the ‘trial drug’ — so no insurance is required for this. For trials where this trial drug is given alongside an already-approved medication, there may be a cost (which your insurance would normally cover).
What does Carrie Kitko specialize in?
Carrie Kitko focuses on Graft-versus-Host Disease and Leukemia. In particular, much of their work with Graft-versus-Host Disease has involved HLA negative patients, or patients who are RB1 positive.
Is Carrie Kitko currently recruiting for clinical trials?
Yes, Carrie Kitko is currently recruiting for 4 clinical trials in Nashville Tennessee. If you're interested in participating, you should apply.
Are there any treatments that Carrie Kitko has studied deeply?
Yes, Carrie Kitko has studied treatments such as Biospecimen Collection, Medical Chart Review, Quality-of-Life Assessment.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with Carrie Kitko?
Apply for one of the trials that Carrie Kitko is conducting.
What is the office address of Carrie Kitko?
The office of Carrie Kitko is located at: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235 United States. This is the address for their practice at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Is there any support for travel costs?
The coverage of travel expenses can vary greatly between different clinical trials. Please see more financial detail in the trials you’re interested to apply.