Immunotherapy using expanded natural killer cells for children and young adults with acute myeloid leukemia

Immunotherapy With ex Vivo Expanded Haploidentical Natural Killer Cells for Children/Young Adults With High-risk, Refractory or Relapsed AML

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology · NCT05272293

This study is testing if giving children and young adults with tough-to-treat acute myeloid leukemia special immune cells from a family member can help them fight the cancer better after chemotherapy.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages6 Months to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorBelarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsimmunotherapy, chemotherapy, fludarabine
Locations1 site (Minsk, Minsk Oblast)
Trial IDNCT05272293 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of immunotherapy using ex vivo expanded haploidentical natural killer (NK) cells in treating children and young adults with high-risk or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Participants will receive chemotherapy followed by multiple infusions of NK cells derived from a haploidentical family donor. The study includes two treatment cycles for eligible patients, allowing for continued therapy if criteria are met. The approach focuses on enhancing the immune response against AML through NK cell therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and young adults with primary high-risk, refractory, or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.

Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled infections or severe hepatic dysfunction may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve outcomes for young patients with high-risk or relapsed AML.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of NK cell therapy is gaining traction, this specific approach with haploidentical NK cells in pediatric AML is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients:

* primary high risk AML
* primary refractory AML
* relapsed AML
* Karnofsky or Lansky performance scale greater or equal to 70
* written informed consent

Donors:

* haploidentical family donor
* donor suitable for cell donation and apheresis according to standard criteria
* written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients:

* uncontrolled infection
* severe hepatic dysfunction: SGOT or SCPT \>=5x upper limit of normal for age
* positive serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Donors:

* pregnancy
* positive serology for HIV, hepatitis B or C

Where this trial is running

Minsk, Minsk Oblast

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Myeloid LeukemiaNatural killer cells, immunotherapy
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.