Clinical Research Directory

Ipilimumab and Decitabine in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ipilimumab when given together with decitabine in treating patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia that has returned after a period of improvement (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as decitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ipilimumab and decitabine may work better in treating patients with relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia.