Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Leukemia

Overseen by Omar S Aljitawi, MBBS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Recruiting

Sponsor: Omar Aljitawi

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and effective for patients with certain types of chronic leukemia undergoing stem cell transplantation. The therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to help the body heal and fight infections. Researchers hope it will improve outcomes like the success of the transplant and reduce problems like inflammation and infections. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been studied for its potential to improve outcomes in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation by enhancing the success of the transplant and reducing problems.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you should discuss your medications with the study team to ensure they don't interfere with the trial.

What data supports the idea that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Leukemia is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been considered as a new treatment strategy for osteonecrosis, a complication in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the studies on HBOT for this condition are of low-quality evidence, and there is a lack of safety and efficacy studies. Therefore, there is not enough strong data to support HBOT as an effective treatment for leukemia itself. In comparison, bone marrow transplantation has shown promising results with high survival rates, especially when performed during the first remission of leukemia. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is generally considered safe, but it can have side effects such as barotrauma, central nervous system and pulmonary oxygen toxicity, claustrophobia, anxiety, visual disturbances, and seizures. Middle-ear barotrauma is a common concern, and seizures, although rare, are one of the more severe side effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted to understand these adverse effects better. In animal studies, renal damage was observed, suggesting potential dose-dependent effects. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy a promising treatment for leukemia?

The provided research articles do not mention Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a promising treatment for leukemia. They focus on other treatments like targeted drugs, bone marrow transplants, and differentiation therapy, which have shown significant progress in treating leukemia. ^{5 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Omar S Aljitawi, MBBS

Principal Investigator

University of Rochester

Eligibility Criteria

Adults aged 18-75 with certain blood disorders like chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and myelofibrosis, who are fit enough for a stem cell transplant. They must have good heart, liver, kidney, and lung function and agree to use contraception. People with active infections or other cancers, recent ear/sinus issues or surgeries, severe asthma or COPD requiring oxygen can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am able to care for myself but may not be able to do active work.

Women of child-bearing potential and men with partners of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for 30 days following completion of therapy. Should a woman or partner become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician and the investigator immediately

I am between 18 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Claustrophobia

My asthma is not well-managed.

I have had a fungal infection in the past 6 months without approval from a specialist.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Hyperbaric oxygen (Other)

Trial Overview The trial is testing if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe during stem cell transplants and if it helps with graft success, reduces mouth/gut inflammation (mucositis), infection rates, and improves white blood cell counts in patients with specific types of leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cohort 2- CMML, aCML, CML, CNL, MDS/MPN Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients with will receive HBO therapy one time on day 0 of the transplant. The treatment consists of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen at 2.5 atmospheric absolutes (ATA) for a total of 90 minutes after compression to 2.5 atmosphere absolutes (ATA) in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber (Model 3200/3200R, Sechrist Industries, Inc., USA), breathing 100% oxygen. The subjects will be in the chamber for a total of 120 minutes as approximately 10-15 minutes were spent during the compression and decompression phases and subjects had 10 minute room air breaks every 30 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Group II: Cohort 1- AML or MDS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients with will receive HBO therapy one time on day 0 of the transplant. The treatment consists of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen at 2.5 atmospheric absolutes (ATA) for a total of 90 minutes after compression to 2.5 atmosphere absolutes (ATA) in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber (Model 3200/3200R, Sechrist Industries, Inc., USA), breathing 100% oxygen. The subjects will be in the chamber for a total of 120 minutes as approximately 10-15 minutes were spent during the compression and decompression phases and subjects had 10 minute room air breaks every 30 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Omar Aljitawi

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

120+

Findings from Research

In a study of 495 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 4.6% developed osteonecrosis (ON), with higher risks associated with older age and increased steroid dosage.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) was used in 8 patients with ON, and during follow-up, 15 out of 23 patients showed stability in their condition, indicating that early diagnosis and conservative treatments like HBO may improve outcomes for ON in ALL patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Osteonecrosis in Children and Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Early Diagnosis and New Treatment Strategies. Biddeci, G., Bosco, G., Varotto, E., et al.[2019]

As leukemia treatments improve, patients are living longer, making it crucial to quickly identify and manage neurological complications that can arise from the disease or its treatments.

Recent advancements in diagnosing and treating neurological issues related to leukemia, such as central nervous system prophylaxis and leptomeningeal metastasis, are essential for improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term health problems.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic complications of leukemia. Demopoulos, A., DeAngelis, LM.[2013]

Intermittent corticosteroid administration can help prevent osteonecrosis in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as shown in a randomized controlled trial.

There is a lack of high-quality evidence regarding the treatment of osteonecrosis once it occurs, with most studies on non-surgical and surgical interventions being insufficient to draw clear conclusions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management and treatment of osteonecrosis in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Te Winkel, ML., Pieters, R., Wind, EJ., et al.[2021]

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has significantly improved as a treatment for leukemia, with a high survival rate of 76% when performed during the first remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The timing of BMT is crucial for patient outcomes, as survival rates are higher in earlier disease stages, indicating that early intervention can lead to better chances of complete cure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Bone marrow transplantation after intensive chemotherapy]. Masaoka, T.[2013]

Bone marrow transplants, especially from HLA-identical siblings, have shown success in treating leukemia, leading to long-term leukemia-free survival (LFS) rates.

The studies highlight the importance of factors like Graft-versus-Leukemia (GVL) effects in improving treatment outcomes, and both allogeneic and autologous transplants are being explored as effective therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bone marrow transplantation in leukemia. Rowlings, PA., Gale, RP., Horowitz, MM., et al.[2007]

In a five-year study of 2,610 patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2), 10.04% experienced middle ear barotrauma (MEB), highlighting it as a common side effect that can lead to premature treatment discontinuation.

Risk factors for MEB included being over 55 years old, female gender, and having a history of ear, nose, and throat issues, suggesting that identifying and managing these factors could help reduce the incidence of this adverse event.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Middle-ear barotrauma after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a five-year retrospective analysis on 2,610 patients. Edinguele, WFOP., Barberon, B., Poussard, J., et al.[2021]

In a study of 1,308 patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy, five seizure episodes were reported during 10,425 treatments, indicating a low but notable risk of seizures, particularly in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning and arterial gas embolism.

Despite the occurrence of seizures, none of the patients experienced lasting effects, suggesting that while seizures can happen during HBO2 therapy, the overall safety profile remains high, and clinicians should be prepared to manage such events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Seizure during hyperbaric oxygen therapy: experience at a single academic hospital in Korea. Lee, CH., Choi, JG., Lee, JS., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 31 rats, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at 2 ATA for up to 10 days did not result in significant renal damage or impairment, suggesting that HBOT is safe for renal function in healthy subjects.

The research indicates that HBOT does not adversely affect renal function, as there were no significant changes in renal function tests or histopathological evaluations, supporting its safety profile in healthy rats.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on kidneys in a rat model. Berkovitch, M., Tsadik, R., Kozer, E., et al.[2022]

In a study of 2,334 patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy, 17.4% experienced adverse events, with the most common being middle ear barotrauma affecting 9.2% of patients.

Despite some side effects, the overall incidence of complications was low at 0.72% per session, indicating that with proper protocols and monitoring, HBO2 therapy is a safe treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment--retrospective analysis in 2,334 patients. hadanny, A., Meir, O., Bechor, Y., et al.[2016]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is associated with a higher incidence of adverse effects (30.11%) compared to control groups (10.43%), particularly when the treatment involves more than 10 sessions or chamber pressures exceed 2.0 ATA.

The most common side effect reported was ear discomfort, indicating that while HBOT can be beneficial, careful monitoring for adverse reactions is necessary, especially under specific conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Zhang, Y., Zhou, Y., Jia, Y., et al.[2023]

Recent advances in leukemia treatment have been driven by a better understanding of genetic mutations and biochemical pathways, allowing for more targeted therapies tailored to individual patients.

New therapies, including the use of recombinant urate oxidase (rasburicase) to manage complications like tumor lysis syndrome, highlight the progress made in designing effective treatments based on molecular biology and biotechnology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment by design in leukemia, a meeting report, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 2002. Larson, RA., Daley, GQ., Schiffer, CA., et al.[2018]

The author highlights significant advancements in leukemia therapy over their career, suggesting that these breakthroughs will continue to influence future cancer treatments.

Discoveries in leukemia biology and treatment are expected to play a crucial role in developing therapies for solid tumors, indicating a promising direction for overall cancer control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The history of leukemia therapy--a personal journey. Freireich, EJ.[2012]

Recent advancements in leukemia treatments have led to high cure rates, such as over 90% for hairy cell leukemia with cladribine and rituximab, and 80-90% for acute promyelocytic leukemia using all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, once considered incurable, may now be potentially curable with targeted therapies like Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors and venetoclax, showcasing the significant progress in leukemia treatment options.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The cure of leukemia through the optimist's prism. Kantarjian, HM., Jain, N., Garcia-Manero, G., et al.[2023]

Differentiation therapy for leukemia, particularly successful in acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans-retinoic acid, represents a targeted treatment approach that induces cancer cell maturation rather than killing them directly.

Recent laboratory studies have shown that various hematopoietic cytokines can promote specific differentiation of leukemia cells, suggesting that understanding these mechanisms could enhance future clinical treatment protocols.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cytokines in the differentiation therapy of leukemia: from laboratory investigations to clinical applications. Leung, KN., Mak, NK., Fung, MC.[2019]

References

1. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Osteonecrosis in Children and Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Early Diagnosis and New Treatment Strategies. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic complications of leukemia. [2013]

3. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management and treatment of osteonecrosis in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [2021]

4. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Bone marrow transplantation after intensive chemotherapy]. [2013]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bone marrow transplantation in leukemia. [2007]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Middle-ear barotrauma after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a five-year retrospective analysis on 2,610 patients. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Seizure during hyperbaric oxygen therapy: experience at a single academic hospital in Korea. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on kidneys in a rat model. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment--retrospective analysis in 2,334 patients. [2016]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment by design in leukemia, a meeting report, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 2002. [2018]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The history of leukemia therapy--a personal journey. [2012]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The cure of leukemia through the optimist's prism. [2023]

14. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cytokines in the differentiation therapy of leukemia: from laboratory investigations to clinical applications. [2019]