Recruiting

Testing a new radiation approach combined with chemotherapy for blood cancer transplants

Plain-English translation of NCT04187105 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a newer type of radiation therapy called intensity modulated total marrow irradiation (IM-TMI) works better when combined with chemotherapy to prepare patients for a stem cell transplant. The study focuses on patients with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (a blood disorder) who need a transplant from a family member who is only a partial match. The goal is to see if this treatment approach helps patients recover better and have fewer serious side effects.

Stem cell transplants can cure blood cancers, but preparing the body beforehand with chemotherapy and radiation can cause significant side effects. Doctors want to test whether a newer, more focused radiation technique reduces damage to healthy tissues while still destroying the cancer, making the treatment safer and more effective.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 75 years old
you have been diagnosed with acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or certain other blood cancers
you have a family member who is willing to donate stem cells and is at least a half match for your tissue type
your heart, liver, and lungs are functioning well enough to handle the treatment
your cancer has either come back after previous treatment, did not respond to treatment, or has high-risk features that make transplant necessary

You likely don't qualify if…

you have significant heart disease or a weak heart that cannot pump adequately
you have serious liver disease or very high liver enzyme levels
you have severe lung disease that affects your ability to breathe
you have other serious medical conditions that would make this intensive treatment too risky

What participation looks like

You would receive several weeks of chemotherapy medication and radiation treatment designed to destroy your cancer cells and prepare your body to accept the new stem cells. You would then receive stem cells from your donor, followed by additional chemotherapy to prevent rejection. You would likely spend several weeks in the hospital during this intensive treatment and have frequent follow-up visits to monitor your recovery, check for side effects, and ensure the transplant is working.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a new radiation approach combined with chemotherapy for blood cancer transplants

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations