Anti‑CD38 targeted radiation plus marrow‑focused irradiation for relapsed AML

Anti-CD38 Radioimmunotherapy and Total Marrow Irradiation for Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

NIH-funded research Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11299531

This project uses an antibody that delivers focused radiation to CD38‑positive leukemia cells together with marrow‑directed irradiation to help people with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia tolerate transplant conditioning.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Duarte, United States)
Project IDNIH-11299531 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would receive an antibody that carries a radioactive particle to leukemia cells that express CD38, combined with total marrow irradiation that concentrates dose to the bones and spares other organs. That targeted approach is given with lower‑intensity chemotherapy used before a bone marrow transplant so older or sicker patients might tolerate treatment better. The aim is to raise the dose to disease sites to lower relapse while reducing side effects like mucositis and organ damage. The team builds on prior work showing marrow‑focused irradiation added to reduced‑intensity chemo can be feasible and improve outcomes, and now plans to add targeted alpha therapy directed at CD38.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with relapsed or refractory AML whose leukemia expresses CD38 and who are being considered for hematopoietic cell transplantation but need a less toxic conditioning approach.

Not a fit: Patients whose leukemia does not express CD38, who are not transplant candidates, or who have medical problems that prevent radiation or transplant are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce relapse and improve survival while causing fewer toxic effects for patients who cannot tolerate full‑body radiation.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work adding 12 Gy total marrow irradiation to reduced‑intensity fludarabine/melphalan conditioning showed acceptable toxicity and encouraging 5‑year survival, while targeted alpha‑emitter radioimmunotherapy for AML is promising but less extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Duarte, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.