Cell Free DNA Profiling As a Tool to Monitor Clinically-Relevant Events in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Intervention Type: Diagnostic test
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for people with severe blood-related diseases. However, it comes with serious risks, including a condition called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where the transplanted cells attack the patient's body. GVHD can occur in about 50% of patients acutely and 35% in a chronic form, potentially affecting organs like the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal system. Currently, doctors diagnose GVHD based on symptoms, as there are no easy tests available. Infections can also be a problem after HSCT, as dormant viruses may reactivate. These infections are monitored using specialized tests. Additionally, doctors use advanced methods, like analyzing minimal residual disease (MRD) and chimerism, to check for the risk of the original disease coming back. MRD is tracked by looking for specific genetic markers of the disease in the patient's blood or bone marrow. Another emerging tool involves analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-tiny fragments of DNA found in bodily fluids that come from dying cells. This technique, called liquid biopsy, has been revolutionary in areas like cancer detection, pregnancy testing, and organ transplants. For example, in organ transplants, cfDNA can indicate early signs of rejection, helping reduce the need for invasive biopsies. In HSCT, the use of cfDNA to monitor complications like GVHD or relapse has not been fully explored. This pilot study aims to investigate whether analyzing cfDNA using a technique called epigenomic profiling can help detect acute GVHD, as well as other post-transplant issues like infections, disease relapse, and chronic GVHD. The goal is to compare cfDNA analysis to current testing methods to see if it offers better or earlier detection of complications. This research could pave the way for improved, less invasive monitoring of HSCT patients, potentially leading to better outcomes and fewer complications.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Patient must be affected by an hematological malignancy requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
Unità di Ematologia e Trapianto di Midollo Osseo e Oncoematologia of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan
RECRUITING
Milan
SS Trapianto allogenico e terapie cellulari, SC Ematologia U of the Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital
RECRUITING
Turin
Contact Information
Primary
Silvia Deaglio, MD/PhD
silvia.deaglio@unito.it
+39 0116709535
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-01-31
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 30
Treatments
GVHD patients
This group gathers all the patients that eventually develop GVHD
Control patients
This group gathers all the patients that will not develop post-HSCT complications and show no signs of relapse.
Infection patients
This group gathers all the patients that develop post-HSCT infections
Relapse patients
This group gathers all the patients that relapse after HSCT
TAD/SOS patients
This goup gathers patients presenting with transplant associated microangiopathy or sinusoidal obstruction.
Sponsors
Leads: University of Turin, Italy
Collaborators: IRCCS San Raffaele

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov