An Investigational Graft Processing Procedure (ApoGraft) for the Prevention of Acute Graft Versus Host Disease in Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant
This phase I trial studies the side effects of an investigational graft processing procedure (ApoGraft) in preventing acute graft versus host disease in patients undergoing a stem cell transplant. A stem cell is a type of cell found in the blood or bone marrow which helps form more blood cells. The purpose of a stem cell transplant is to use the stem cells from a healthy donor to replace the diseased bone marrow in the recipient. One of the side effects of a stem cell transplant is the development of graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD occurs when some of the cells from the donor attack the recipient’s tissues, resulting in mild, moderate, or even life-threatening side effects to the recipient’s skin, stomach, intestine, and liver. A haploidentical (half-matched related) stem cell transplant is a type of transplant that occurs when the person who needs a transplant can’t find a donor who exactly matches their tissue type (either among family members or through a matched unrelated donor). When no matched donor is available, haploidentical donors may be used. The purpose of this study is to see how well using ApoGraft in processing stem cells works to prevent or lessen the effects of GVHD while still effectively treating the disease in patients receiving a haploidentical stem cell transplant.