
Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia With All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) and Idarubicin (AIDA)...
Acute Promyelocytic LeukemiaThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and idarubicin (AIDA) with a dose reduction in patients older than 70 years of age in the remission induction of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). With regard to the induction, the excellent results obtained by the combination of ATRA and idarubicin (AIDA), especially in terms of antileukemic efficacy (1% of resistance), do not support the introduction of substantial changes in this combination. However, given that most of the induction failures were caused by complications, especially of a hemorrhagic nature, and that these had a major impact in the hyperleukocytic forms and in patients older than 70 years of age, the induction was modified as follows: Reduction of idarubicin dose in patients older than 70 years of age (three days instead of four); Early administration of corticosteroid therapy in all patients as ATRA syndrome prophylaxis. A preliminary analysis of the Italian Group for Adult Hematologic Diseases (Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell'Adulto, GIMEMA) has shown that low dose prednisone use in a prophylactic manner appears to reduce the incidence and severity of the ATRA syndrome, which could also have a favorable impact on the hemorrhagic mortality (non-published data); and Treatment of the hyperfibrinolysis with an antifibrinolytic agent (tranexamic acid). It has been recently reported that APL cells present abnormally high levels of annexins (especially annexin II), and that these levels may provide the fundamental mechanism for the hemorrhagic complications in APL by increasing the production of t-PA dependent plasmin. These findings provide new reasons for the introduction of tranexamic acid in the hemorrhagic prophylaxis of APL.

GTI-2040 in Treating Patients With Relapsed, Refractory, or High-Risk Acute Leukemia, High-Grade...
Acute Undifferentiated LeukemiaAdult Acute Myeloid Leukemia With 11q23 (MLL) Abnormalities14 moreThis phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of GTI-2040 in treating patients with relapsed, refractory, or high-risk acute leukemia, high-grade myelodysplastic syndromes, or refractory or blastic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as GTI-2040, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer or abnormal cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

A Study of Enzastaurin in Patients With Leukemia
LeukemiaLymphocyticThe primary objective of this study is to see if enzastaurin affects the pGSK3 beta level in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells.

Peptide Vaccinations to Treat Patients With Low-Risk Myeloid Cancers
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)1 moreThis study will test the safety and effectiveness of two vaccines on slowing disease progression, improving blood counts, reducing the need for transfusions of blood and platelets, or achieving remission in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, also known as myelodysplasia), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The vaccines consist of peptides (parts of proteins) found in MDS, AML and CML stem cells, combined with a substance called "MontanideTM". They are administered with granulocyte- macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The Montanide and the GM-CSF help the immune system respond to the vaccines. People 18 years of age or older with MDS, AML or CML may be eligible for this study. Participants receive six injections of the vaccines, one dose every other week for a total of 10 weeks. The injections are given in the upper arm, upper leg, or abdomen. A separate injection of GM-CSF is given in the same area as the vaccine injections. Subjects are observed for 2 hours after the first vaccination and at least 30 minutes after each subsequent vaccination for allergic reactions. In addition to the vaccination, subjects undergo the following: History and physical exam, chest x-ray, blood tests and bone marrow aspirate and biopsy before starting the vaccinations. Safety monitoring during vaccine administration (every other week for 10 weeks) with blood tests and check of vital signs. Follow-up safety monitoring (weeks 12 and 16) with blood tests every visit, chest x-ray at week 12 and bone marrow biopsy visit 16.

Safety and Efficacy of Marqibo in Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)This was a Phase 2, international, multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial evaluating Marqibo (VSLI) in adult subjects with: 1) Ph- ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma in second or greater relapse; or 2) Ph- ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma who failed 2 or greater treatment lines of anti-leukemia chemotherapy. The original enrollment target for this study was approximately 56 subjects. Per a protocol amendment, enrollment was increased from 56 to 65. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate: - The efficacy of the study treatment as determined by the rate of CR plus CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) in adult subjects with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) ALL in second relapse or adult subjects with (Ph-) ALL who failed 2 treatment lines of anti-leukemia chemotherapy. Subjects must have achieved a CR to at least 1 prior anti-leukemia therapy as defined by a leukemia-free interval of ≥ 90 days.

Azacitidine With or Without Entinostat in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Chronic...
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Arising From Previous Myelodysplastic SyndromeAdult Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Remission13 moreThis randomized phase II trial studies azacitidine with or without entinostat to see how well they work compared to azacitidine alone in treating patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as azacitidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Entinostat may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving azacitidine together with entinostat may work better in treating patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia.

Tacrolimus and Methotrexate With or Without Sirolimus in Preventing Graft-Versus-Host Disease in...
B-cell Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaChildhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Remission4 moreThis randomized phase III trial is studying tacrolimus, methotrexate, and sirolimus to see how well they work compared to tacrolimus and methotrexate in preventing graft-versus-host disease in young patients who are undergoing donor stem cell transplant for intermediate-risk or high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in second complete remission and high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission. Giving chemotherapy, such as thiotepa and cyclophosphamide, and total-body irradiation before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer cells. It also helps stop the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. The donated stem cells may replace the patient's immune cells and help destroy any remaining cancer cells (graft-versus-tumor effect). Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can also make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving tacrolimus, methotrexate, and sirolimus after the transplant may stop this from happening. It is not yet known whether tacrolimus and methotrexate are more effective with or without sirolimus in preventing graft-versus-host disease.

Azacytidine With Valproic Acid Versus Ara-C in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)/ Myelodysplastic Syndrome...
Acute Myelogenous LeukemiaMyelodysplastic Syndrome1 morePrimary Objective: 1. To evaluate whether 5 azacytidine (5-aza)/valproic acid (VPA) or low dose ara-C produces longer event free survival time in patients age > or = 60 years with untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or high risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) who are typically ineligible for, or not placed on, studies of new agents. Secondary Objective: 1. To evaluate whether pre-treatment methylation/acetylation status in AML/MDS blasts predicts response to either therapy or whether the ability of the 5 azacytidine + valproic acid combination to induce demethylation or acetylation parallels response.

Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Young Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Leukemia, Bone...
Congenital Amegakaryocytic ThrombocytopeniaLeukemia2 moreRATIONALE: Giving chemotherapy and total body irradiation before a donor bone marrow transplant or peripheral blood stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer cells. It also helps stop the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. When the healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient they may help the patient's bone marrow make stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving antithymocyte globulin and removing the T cells from the donor cells before transplant may stop this from happening. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of donor T cells and antithymocyte globulin when given together with chemotherapy and total-body irradiation in treating young patients who are undergoing T-cell depleted donor stem cell transplant for myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia, bone marrow failure syndrome, or severe immunodeficiency disease.

Vaccine Therapy and Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous...
LeukemiaRATIONALE: Vaccines made from gene-modified cancer cells may help the body build an effective immune response to kill cancer cells. Imatinib mesylate may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving vaccine therapy together with imatinib mesylate may be an effective treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vaccine therapy when given together with imatinib mesylate in treating patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia.