Tacrolimus and Sirolimus as Prophylaxis After Allogenic Non-myeloablative Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Tacrolimus and Sirolimus as Graft Versus Host Disease Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Non-myeloablative Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

The purpose of this study is to extend the use of Tacrolimus and Sirolimus to determine how effective it is in preventing graft versus host disease (GVHD)in patients that have received non-myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

• After the screening procedures confirm that the patient is eligible to participate in the research study, they will be admitted to the hospital to receive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation (SCT). The duration of the hospitalization for the procedure is approximately 8 days.
• Patients will receive fludarabine once daily over 30 minutes intravenously for 4 days and busulfex once daily over 3 hours intravenously each day for the same 4 days.
• Just prior to the transplant and following the transplant the patient will receive sirolimus and tacrolimus to help prevent Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). Both medications are taken orally.
• Patients will also take medications to help prevent possible infections (e.g. acyclovir). Filgrastim, a white blood cell growth factor, will be given daily in an injection under the skin, starting the day after the stem cell transplant and until the patients blood counts have recovered.
• After the stem cell infusion, the patient will be examined and have blood tests weekly for 1 month. At about the 1-month visit, a bone marrow biopsy and/or blood tests will be performed to determine the percentage of donor's cells in the blood or bone marrow. These tests will be repeated at 3-4 months after transplant.
• At 3-4 months after the transplant, patients will also have tests to reassess the response of your disease to transplant. This may involve a bone marrow biopsy, blood tests, and/or radiology studies depending upon the type of cancer.
• Follow-up will continue for the remainder of the patients life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with hematologic malignancies who are at a high risk of complications after conventional transplantation
• Availability of a related donor who is identical at 6 HLA loci
• Greater than 18 years of age
• Performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy of > 100 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Evidence of HIV infection
• Heart failure uncontrolled medication
• Total bilirubin > 2.0mg/dl that is due to hepatocellular dysfunction
• AST >90
• Serum Creatinine >2.0
• Cholesterol > 300mg/dl while adequately treated