Clinical Research Directory

Psychiatric Status and Symptom Severity in Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD).

This prospective observational study evaluates the association between psychiatric status, GvHD-related symptom severity, and health-related quality of life in patients with graft-versus-host disease. Standardized and validated assessment tools, including the Lee Symptom Scale, will be used to collect psychiatric, clinical, and demographic data.

Reduced Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide Dose in Patients Undergoing Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematological Malignancies

Phase III comparative, open-label, randomized (1:1) trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of reducing the total dose of PTCy to 70 mg/kg on GREFS compared to the standard dose of 100 mg/kg, in patients undergoing haploidentical HSCT for the treatment of a hematological malignancy, two years after HSCT.

Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Using Ruxolitinib and Steroids Concurrently to Steroids Alone as Initial Treatment In Patients Diagnosed With Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease at a Grade of Moderate or Higher Severity

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a complication that occurs in 30-40% of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and is a major cause of late non-relapse mortality. In cases where the initial treatment response is inadequate, irreversible tissue damage often persists, making it a fatal complication that significantly reduces quality of life even for long-term survivors. Therefore, the success of first-line treatment is crucial, but to date, there are no approved drugs specifically for the first-line treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Besides corticosteroids, which have been used palliatively for over 50 years, there are no proven effective treatments available. Against this background, this study was designed to explore the potential of new treatments as first-line therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease, where effective treatment options are currently lacking. Initially, the objective response rate will be analyzed at the 48-week mark based on the NIH Consensus Criteria (Lee 2015). Additionally, the study will evaluate the proportion of patients with steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent conditions, the objective response rate(ORR), failure-free survival(FFS), duration of response(DOR), and the proportion of patients who have reduced corticosteroids. Furthermore, the differences in treatment effects between the two groups of patients will be analyzed based on safety endpoints, including adverse events, laboratory tests, physical examinations, and vital signs.

Cell Free DNA Profiling As a Tool to Monitor Clinically-Relevant Events in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for people with severe blood-related diseases. However, it comes with serious risks, including a condition called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where the transplanted cells attack the patient's body. GVHD can occur in about 50% of patients acutely and 35% in a chronic form, potentially affecting organs like the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal system. Currently, doctors diagnose GVHD based on symptoms, as there are no easy tests available. Infections can also be a problem after HSCT, as dormant viruses may reactivate. These infections are monitored using specialized tests. Additionally, doctors use advanced methods, like analyzing minimal residual disease (MRD) and chimerism, to check for the risk of the original disease coming back. MRD is tracked by looking for specific genetic markers of the disease in the patient's blood or bone marrow. Another emerging tool involves analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-tiny fragments of DNA found in bodily fluids that come from dying cells. This technique, called liquid biopsy, has been revolutionary in areas like cancer detection, pregnancy testing, and organ transplants. For example, in organ transplants, cfDNA can indicate early signs of rejection, helping reduce the need for invasive biopsies. In HSCT, the use of cfDNA to monitor complications like GVHD or relapse has not been fully explored. This pilot study aims to investigate whether analyzing cfDNA using a technique called epigenomic profiling can help detect acute GVHD, as well as other post-transplant issues like infections, disease relapse, and chronic GVHD. The goal is to compare cfDNA analysis to current testing methods to see if it offers better or earlier detection of complications. This research could pave the way for improved, less invasive monitoring of HSCT patients, potentially leading to better outcomes and fewer complications.