Infliximab for the Prevention of Graft-versus-Host Disease Following Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

• Evaluate efficacy of infliximab in reducing incidence of grade II-IV acute GvHD by day +100 post transplant in patients undergoing allogenic HCT and receiving standard cyclosporine and short course methotrexate GvHD prophylaxis. [ Time Frame: 2004-2008 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  • For matched related donor transplants, we will test the null hypothesis H0: p ≥0.40 versus the alternative H1: p≤0.20, where p is the probability of grade II-IV acute GvHD by day +100.
  • For matched unrelated donor transplants, we will test the null hypothesis H0: p≥0.70 versus the alternative H1: p≤0.50, where p is the probability of grade II-IV acute GvHD by day +100.
  
  

• Assess the effect of infliximab on treatment-related mortality at 100 days post-transplant and on the incidence and severity of regimen related toxicity, including veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver and interstitial pneumonitis (IP). [ Time Frame: 2004-2008 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  • Describe the incidence of infections occurring during the first year post-transplant.
  • Assess the effect of infliximab on the incidence of chronic GvHD
  • Relapse rate of the primary hematological malignancy
  • Assess the effect of Infliximab on blocking the TNF response to the conditioning regimen, and on the changes in cytokines important in the pathogenesis of acute GvHD in the peritransplant setting.
  • Explore the relationship between TNF gene polymorphism on the efficacy of infliximab prophylaxis therapy in preventing acute GvHD.
  
  

Drug: Infliximab

A total of 6 doses of Infliximab will be administered as follows:

Dose 1: 10 mg/kg IV one day prior to commencing the myeloablative preparative regimen Dose 2: 10 mg/kg IV on day 0 to be given after peripheral blood stem cell infusion Dose 3: 10 mg/kg IV on day +7 Dose 4: 10 mg/kg IV on day +14 Dose 5: 10 mg/kg IV on day +28 Dose 6: 10 mg/kg IV on day +42

Other Name: (Remicade®, Centocor)

Rationale: Acute graft host disease (GvHD) remains a barrier to successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) used for the treatment of cancers in some patients. GvHD can result from a lack of compatibility between the donor and recipient. Research suggests another primary cause of GvHD comes from cytokines, or a substance produced by cells of the immune system that affect the immune response in both positive and negative ways. Infliximab is an antibody that directly targets the cytokine associated with GvHD. This study is building upon previous research to assess infliximab's ability to prevent GvHD after HCT.

Purpose: This study is evaluating the efficacy of infliximab in reducing the incidence of GvHD after HCT. The safety of this approach, along with changes to specific cytokines from this treatment, will also be measured.

Treatment: Patients in this study will receive infliximab through intravenous infusion. Infliximab will be administered in six doses, including one day before chemotherapy or radiotherapy, after the stem cell infusion, and then on days 7, 14, 28 and 42. Standard post-transplant treatments of cyclosporine (Neoral) and methotrexate (Methotrexate) will also be given through intravenous infusion. Cyclosporine will be given on day 1, and the subsequent schedule will be determined on an individual basis. Methotrexate will be administered on days 1, 3, 6, and 11. Several tests and exams will be given throughout the study to closely monitor patients.