Using TMLI and alemtuzumab to treat sickle cell disease

A Pilot Study of Nonmyeloablative Regimen Using Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation for Irradiation Sparing of Bystander Organs in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation From Matched Related or Unrelated Donor in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

PHASE1 · City of Hope Medical Center · NCT05384756

This study is testing a new treatment using radiation and a medication to see if it can help people with sickle cell disease prepare for a stem cell transplant and improve their overall health.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorCity of Hope Medical Center (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation, alemtuzumab
Locations1 site (Duarte, California)
Trial IDNCT05384756 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase I trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of total marrow and lymphoid irradiation (TMLI) combined with alemtuzumab as a conditioning regimen for patients with sickle cell disease. The study aims to prepare patients for stem cell transplantation by assessing the feasibility of this non-myeloablative approach to achieve stable engraftment. Key objectives include monitoring hematopoietic recovery, incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and overall survival rates post-transplantation. Additionally, the trial will explore the impact of sickle cell disease on the bone marrow microenvironment and assess quality of life at various time points.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 12-40 years with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease who are at high risk for disease-related complications.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as those outside the specified age range or with a lower ECOG performance status, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve outcomes for patients with sickle cell disease by enhancing the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in using conditioning regimens for hematopoietic cell transplantation, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Documented informed consent of the participant and/or legally authorized representative

  * Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained per institutional guidelines
* Registered into Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program
* Age: 12-40 years
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2
* Have a diagnosis of sickle cell disease, be at a high risk for disease related morbidity or mortality, which must be defined by one of the following disease status criteria:

  * Significant neurologic event (stroke) or any neurological deficit lasting \> 24 hours; or increased transcranial Doppler velocity (\> 200 m/s).
  * History of one or more episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in the 2-year period preceding enrollment despite the institution of supportive care measures (i.e. asthma therapy and/or hydroxyurea).
  * History of one or more severe vaso-occlusive pain crises per year in the 2-year period preceding enrollment despite the institution of supportive care measures (i.e. a pain management plan and/or treatment with hydroxyurea).
  * Recurrent priapism requiring medical therapy.
  * Osteonecrosis of two or more joints despite the institution of supportive care measures.
  * Prior treatment with regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy, defined as receiving 8 or more transfusions per year for \> 1 year to prevent vaso-occlusive clinical complications (i.e. pain, stroke, and acute chest syndrome)
  * Echocardiograph finding of tricuspid valve regurgitation jet (TRJ) velocity \>= 2.5 m/sec.
* Have a related donor who is matched on at least 8/10 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, B, C, and DRB1 Loci
* Total bilirubin =\< 2.5 x upper limit normal (ULN( (unless has Gilbert's disease) (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) =\< 1.5 x ULN (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =\< 1.5 x ULN (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)
* Creatinine clearance (CrCl) of \>= 60 mL/min per 24 hour urine test or the Cockcroft-Gault formula (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)
* If not receiving anticoagulants: International Normalized Ratio (INR) OR Prothrombin (PT) =\< 1.5 x ULN (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)

  * If on anticoagulant therapy: PT must be within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants
* If not receiving anticoagulants: Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) =\<1.5 x ULN (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)

  * If on anticoagulant therapy: aPTT must be within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants
* Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \>= 50% (performed within 30 days prior to day 1 of protocol)

  * Note: To be performed within 28 days prior to Day 1 of protocol therapy.
* If able to perform pulmonary function tests: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), force vital capacity (FVC), and diffused lung capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) (diffusion capacity) \>= 50% of predicted (corrected for hemoglobin)

  * If unable to perform pulmonary function tests: Oxygen (O 2) saturation \> 92% on room air
  * Note: To be performed within 28 days prior to Day 1 of protocol therapy.
* Seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigen (Ag)/antibody (Ab) combo, hepatitis C virus (HCV), active hepatitis B virus (HBV) (surface antigen negative), and syphilis (rapid plasma regain \[RPR\])

  * If positive, hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA) quantitation must be performed
* Meets other institutional and federal requirements for infectious disease titer requirements

  * Note Infectious disease testing to be performed within 28 days prior to day 1 of protocol therapy
* Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): negative urine or serum pregnancy test

  * If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be require.
* Agreement by females and males of childbearing potential to use an effective method of birth control or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through at least Six months after the last dose of protocol therapy.

  * Childbearing potential defined as not being surgically sterilized (men and women) or have not been free from menses for \> 1 year (women only)
* DONOR: Age =\< 60 years
* DONOR: Medical history and physical examination confirm good health status as defined by institutional standards
* DONOR: Serologies for: Hepatitis B (HBV) Core Antibody, HIV I/II Antibody, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) - I/II antibody, HCV antibody, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Serologic Test for Syphilis, HIV-1/HCV/HBV nucleic acid, West Nile virus nucleic acid, Trypanosoma cruzi antibody, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody, (AKA: Donor Room Serologies)
* DONOR: Female donors of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (b-HCG) test within 30 days of initiation of conditioning, 30 days of patients admission for conditioning and 7 days of mobilization or bone marrow harvest.
* DONOR: The donor must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and have signed a consent form in accordance with Federal Guidelines and the guidelines of the participating institution

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant
* Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents, or concurrent biological, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
* History of allergic reactions attributable to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to study agent
* Patients with any active malignancy are ineligible for this study, other than non-melanoma skin cancers
* Medical problem or neurologic/psychiatric dysfunction which would impair patient ability to be compliant with the medical regimen and to tolerate transplantation or would prolong hematologic recovery which in the opinion of the principal investigator would place the recipient at unacceptable risk.
* Active infection requiring antibiotics
* Females only: Pregnant or breastfeeding
* Any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicate the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns with clinical study procedures
* Prospective participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with all study procedures (including compliance issues related to feasibility/logistics)
* DONOR: Evidence of active infection
* DONOR: Medical or physical reason which makes the donor unlikely to tolerate or cooperate with growth factor therapy and leukapheresis if donating peripheral stem cells or unlikely to tolerate general anesthesia and bone marrow collection if donating a bone marrow
* DONOR: Factors which place the donor at increased risk for complications from leukapheresis or granulocyte colony-stimulating Factor (G-CSF) therapy if donating peripheral stem cells or general anesthesia and bone marrow collection if donating a bone marrow
* DONOR: Lactating female or, if of child-bearing potential, is unwilling to implement adequate birth control
* DONOR: HIV positive
* DONOR: Prior radiation therapy

Where this trial is running

Duarte, California

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sickle Cell Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.