Clinical Research Directory

Biology Studies of Hematologic Cancers

This study will collect tumor samples from people with cancers of the blood, bone marrow, or lymph glands for laboratory study of the biology of these conditions. Such studies contribute to a better understanding of cancer biology and to the development of new treatments. Planned studies include: * Examination of individual cancer cells and to search for differences compared to other types of cancer and normal cells * Examination of the chromosomes and genes in cancer cells and to search for differences compared to other types of cancer and normal cells * Development of sensitive methods to detect small amounts of cancer that remain after treatment * Search for new cancer proteins that might serve as targets for treatment * Investigation of methods to develop cancer vaccines. Patients from \>= 1 to 75 years of age with acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelogenous leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and other hematologic malignancies may be eligible for this study. Blood or bone marrow samples will be collected when sampling is required for the patient's medical care. Cells from some individuals will be grown in test tubes, establishing cell lines or in animals, establishing xenograft models. (A xenograft is transplantation of cells of one species to another species.)

A First-in-Human Study of HLA-Partially to Fully Matched Allogenic Cryopreserved Deceased Donor Bone Marrow Transplantation for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the safety and feasibility of allogeneic transplantation with bone marrow from a deceased donor in patients with acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome, and certain lymphomas. Patients will either receive myeloablative conditioning or reduced intensity conditioning regimen prior to the transplant. Patients will be followed for 56 days for safety endpoints and remain in follow-up for one year.