Chemotherapy + Stem Cell Transplant for Lymphoma
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The purpose of this study is to find out what effects (good and/or bad) treatment with chemotherapy and stem cell transplant compared with chemotherapy alone will have on primary CNS B-cell lymphoma. Currently the best treatment for patients with primary CNS B-cell lymphoma is not known.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the trial involves chemotherapy and stem cell transplant, it's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team to ensure there are no interactions.
Is the chemotherapy and stem cell transplant treatment generally safe for humans?
The treatment involving chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant has been studied for safety. In one study, replacing carmustine with thiotepa and cyclophosphamide showed similar safety profiles, even in older patients. However, high-dose regimens can lead to serious side effects like lung disease and infections, with a 20% early death rate due to toxic effects in some cases.12345
How does the chemotherapy drug combination of Carmustine, Cytarabine, and Thiotepa differ from other treatments for lymphoma?
This treatment is unique because it combines high-dose chemotherapy drugs with a stem cell transplant, aiming to aggressively target lymphoma cells. Unlike some other regimens, it includes Thiotepa, which is less commonly used in standard protocols, potentially offering a different mechanism of action or side effect profile.56789
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Autologous Stem Cell Transplant with Carmustine, Cytarabine, and Thiotepa for Lymphoma?
Research shows that thiotepa-based conditioning regimens, which include drugs like carmustine and cytarabine, have comparable effectiveness and safety to traditional regimens in treating lymphomas, even in older patients. This suggests that the combination used in the trial could be effective for lymphoma treatment.123510
Who Is on the Research Team?
Tracy Batchelor, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults aged 18-75 with primary CNS B-cell lymphoma, no history of other non-Hodgkin lymphomas or prior treatments. Participants must have a Karnofsky score indicating they can care for themselves and not be pregnant or nursing. They should test negative for HIV, hepatitis, and agree to use effective contraception.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Induction Therapy
Patients undergo induction therapy for five cycles as defined in the protocol
Consolidation Chemotherapy
Patients receive either myeloablative consolidation treatment with HDT/ASCT or non-myeloablative consolidation chemotherapy with cytarabine and etoposide
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
- Carmustine
- Cytarabine
- Thiotepa
Carmustine is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Brain tumors
- Multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin's disease
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Brain tumors
- Multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin's disease
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Brain tumors
- Multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin's disease
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator