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ECP + Low-Dose IL-2 for Graft-versus-Host Disease

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By John Koreth, MBBS,D.Phil
Research Sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Recipients of 7-8/8 HLA matched adult donor allogeneic stem cell transplantation with myeloablative or non-myeloablative conditioning regimens
Participants must have steroid-refractory cGVHD. Steroid-refractory cGVHD is defined as having persistent signs and symptoms of cGVHD despite the use of prednisone at ≥ 0.25 mg/kg/day (or 0.5 mg/kg every other day) for at least 4 weeks without complete resolution of signs and symptoms
Must not have
Concurrent use of calcineurin-inhibitors plus sirolimus
Ongoing prednisone requirement >1 mg/kg/day
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up from the start of treatment to 1 year
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing whether ECP + IL-2 is effective in treating GVHD after stem cell transplant.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults over 18 with chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) after a stem cell transplant from a closely matched donor. They must have cGVHD that hasn't improved with steroids, stable medication use for the past month, and good organ function. Pregnant women, those with certain blood disorders or infections, recent ECP therapy or exposure to new immunosuppressants can't participate.
What is being tested?
The study is testing if adding low-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) to Extra-corporeal Photopheresis (ECP), a light-based treatment, can help treat cGVHD better than ECP alone. Participants will receive both treatments and be monitored to see how well they respond compared to their condition before starting the trial.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects include reactions related to IL-2 such as chills, fever, fatigue; and ECP-related issues like dizziness or nausea during the procedure. There may also be risks associated with combining these treatments which will be closely monitored.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I received a stem cell transplant that was a close match to my tissue type.
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My chronic GVHD hasn't improved despite taking steroids for 4 weeks.
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I can take care of myself and am up and about more than half of the day.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am currently taking calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus.
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I need more than 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone.
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I have a history of blood clotting disorders.
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I do not have allergies or reactions to heparin or 8-MOP.
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I haven't taken new immune-suppressing drugs in the last 100 days.
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I currently have an infection that isn't under control.
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I do not have uncontrolled heart pain or symptoms of heart failure.
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I have active hepatitis B or C.
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My cancer has returned after treatment.
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I am HIV-positive and on combination antiretroviral therapy.
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I have received an organ transplant from another person.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~from the start of treatment to 1 year
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and from the start of treatment to 1 year for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Percentage of Participant With Response at Week 16
Secondary study objectives
Non-relapse Mortality
Number of Grade 3 or Higher Toxicities Related to ECP Plus Low-dose SC IL-2 Therapy
Overall Survival
+4 more

Side effects data

From 2014 Phase 2 trial • 13 Patients • NCT01105650
100%
Neutropenic fever
100%
Chills
100%
Dyspnea
100%
Edema
67%
Hypotension
67%
Death NOS
67%
Fever
67%
Hypertension
67%
Hypoxia
33%
Ascites
33%
Blurred vision
33%
Hearing loss
33%
Double vision
33%
Confusion/Disoriented
33%
Vestibular disorder
33%
Dizziness
33%
Atrial fibrillation
33%
Acute kidney injury
33%
Foot pain
33%
Hearing impairmed
33%
Hallucinations
33%
Headache
33%
Rash/Desquamation
33%
Depressed level of consciousness
33%
Strange dreams
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Arm 2: CsA/Methylprednisolone (10mg)/6 Doses of Interleukin-2
Arm 1: CsA
Arm 3: CsA/Methylprednisolone (1mg)/6 Doses of Interleukin-2

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: ECP plus IL-2Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
* Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) standard-of-care * Daily subcutaneous (SC) interleukin-2 (IL-2) (Proleukin®) during predetermined weeks of treatment cycle
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Interleukin-2
1994
Completed Phase 3
~690

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteLead Sponsor
1,108 Previous Clinical Trials
357,212 Total Patients Enrolled
Prometheus LaboratoriesIndustry Sponsor
26 Previous Clinical Trials
4,771 Total Patients Enrolled
John Koreth, MBBS,D.PhilPrincipal InvestigatorDana-Farber Cancer Institute

Media Library

Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT02340676 — Phase 2
Graft-versus-Host Disease Research Study Groups: ECP plus IL-2
Graft-versus-Host Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT02340676 — Phase 2
Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT02340676 — Phase 2
~2 spots leftby Nov 2025