Using expanded natural killer cells after haploidentical stem cell transplantation for blood cancers

A Phase I/II Single Center Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Feasibility of Pre-emptive Immunotherapy With in Vitro Expanded Natural Killer Cells in Patients Treated With Haplo-HSCT for AML/MDS

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT03300492

This study is testing whether giving special immune cells from a related donor after a stem cell transplant can help people with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes fight off cancer and prevent it from coming back.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other
Drugs / interventionscyclophosphamide
Locations1 site (Basel)
Trial IDNCT03300492 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of expanded natural killer (NK) cells following haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The approach aims to enhance the immune response against tumor cells by administering NK cells derived from the patient's haploidentical donor after transplantation. The primary focus is to assess the safety and feasibility of this method, as well as the activity of the NK cells in combating relapse of AML/MDS. Participants will be monitored for their response and any potential side effects associated with the treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 years old with AML or MDS who do not have an HLA-matched donor and are eligible for haplo-HSCT.

Not a fit: Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or those requiring significant immunosuppression may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve outcomes for patients with AML or MDS by reducing the risk of cancer relapse after transplantation.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of NK cells in this context is promising, the specific combination of expanded NK cells following haplo-HSCT is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patient:

* \>18 years of age
* No HLA-matched related or unrelated donor available
* AML or MDS-EB with indication for a haplo-HSCT according to the guidelines of the University Hospital Basel Stem Cell Transplant Team
* Judged by the transplant physicians to have adequate organ function and no contraindications to haplo-HSCT
* Available related haploidentical donor
* Written informed consent

Donor:

* \>18 years old, haploidentical parent, sibling or other relative
* Donor suitable for cell donation and apheresis according to standard criteria
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient:

* APL diagnosis
* Presence of relevant (mean fluorescence intensity \>2000) donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies
* Pregnancy
* Necessity of immunosuppression apart from GvHD prophylaxis

Exclusion Criteria:

Donor:

• Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Basel

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 LeukemiaMyelodysplastic SyndromesNatural Killer cellsNK cellsImmunotherapyhaploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
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.