
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
This trial is looking at a new treatment called adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant the system in the body that fights infection (immune system) may not work properly for several months. During this time serious infections may occur that a healthy body is able to control. The most common infection following a transplant is cytomegalovirus.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is common and can cause several types of infections. Most people will have had a CMV infection by the time they are adults. It isn’t generally serious. But the virus can remain inactive in the body for many years and cause recurrent infections. This usually only becomes a problem in people who have a very weakened immune systems. For example, it can cause serious chest infections after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
If CMV becomes active again following a transplant doctors usually treat it with drugs. Researchers have developed a new way of treating CMV following a transplant. It is called adoptive cellular therapy – ACT. ACT is a way of boosting the immune cells that fight CMV infection.
show that ACT can help control CMV after a transplant. The researchers want to find out if ACT can help boost the immune system of people following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
There are 2 main ways to boost the immune cells and the researchers want to compare them to see which the best is.
The aims of this trial are to find out
You can enter this trial if you
You cannot enter this trial if you
The researchers would also like to ask your brother or sister to take part in this trial in order to donate cells for ACT. To take part they must be
They cannot enter the trial if they
This is a phase 3 trial. This trial will recruit 95 people who are to have a transplant. The trial will also recruit the brother or sister who is the donor.
It is a randomised trial. There are 2 groups. People in group 1 will have adoptive cellular therapy - ACT. People in group 2 will have standard treatment only for CMV. Three out of every five people will be put into group 1. So you have a 3 out of 5 chance of having the experimental treatment in this trial.
ACT is like a second transplant with a certain type of cell. The researchers select the immune cells of your donor with the ability to fight CMV infection. You then have these immune cells that fight CMV through a drip into a vein, like a transfusion.
Everyone will have a physical examination and blood tests 25 days after their transplant.
If you are in the group having ACT, you have it 2 days later.
If you agree to take part in this trial the researchers will ask your permission to store some of the samples they take. The researchers may use these in the future for further research. You can choose not to have your samples stored and still take part in the trial.
After your transplant you see the doctor for a physical examination and blood tests
If you are not in hospital, you attend the outpatient’s department to see the doctor.
If you take part in the trial there are no additional visits as these will be the same as the routine visits after your transplant.
Your brother or sister will need to visit the hospital about 17 days after donating their stem cells or bone marrow. This is to donate the blood cells the researchers use for ACT.
The side effects of ACT could include
You can find more information about stem cell and bone marrow transplants on CancerHelp UK.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Karl Peggs
Cell Medica Limited
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
The Wellcome Trust
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”