Donor T-Cells take on stubborn CMV in transplant patients
NCT ID NCT02210078
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether immune cells from donors who have been exposed to CMV can treat persistent CMV infections in patients who have had a stem cell transplant. The study includes 49 participants with CMV that hasn't improved with standard antiviral drugs. The cells are given intravenously, and the goal is to clear the infection without needing additional doses.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- donor cytomegalovirus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (immune cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to control CMV infections in patients with weakened immune systems after stem cell transplants.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 49 participants. The treatment may not work for everyone, and there are risks like graft-versus-host disease or the infection not clearing.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
49 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2015
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: Patients with or without a malignancy; and/or any type of autologous or allogeneic HSCT; and/or patients who are immunocompromised with CMV infection will be included. Persistent CMV infection despite optimum anti-viral therapy 1. Patients with CMV disease: defined as the demonstration of CMV by biopsy specimen from visceral sites (by culture or histology) or the detection of CMV by culture or direct fluorescent antibody stain in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the presence of new or changing pulmonary infiltrates OR 2. Failure of antiviral therapy: defined as the continued presence of DNAemia (defined as \>/= 137 copies/ml by PCR) for at least 2 weeks of CMV antiviral therapy OR 1. Optimum therapy is defined as at least 14 days of therapy with Ganciclovir, Foscarnet, Cidofovir, or Valganciclovir for patients with disease or CMV viremia. 2. Relapse while on CMV antiviral therapy defined as recurrence of DNAemia while being on at least 2 weeks of antiviral therapy OR 3. Patients who cannot tolerate standard anti-viral therapy and cannot continue anti-viral treatment due to side effect profile will be eligible independent of anti-viral therapy duration. Clinical status at enrollment to allow tapering of steroids equal to or less than 0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone. Patients with chronic GVHD if on prednisone equal to or less than 0.5 mg/kg and not receiving second-line GVHD treatments like Pentostatin, Infliximab, Etanercept, etc. Written informed consent and/or signed assent line from patient, parent or guardian. Written informed consent from patient or legally authorized representative (LAR). Patients with cognitive impairment are eligible. * Negative pregnancy test in female patients of childbearing potential. * Patients ≥ 2 years. * English and non-English speaking patients are eligible. * Patients enrolled on this study may be enrolled on other IND studies at the discretion of the PI. Exclusion criteria: * Patients receiving prednisone \>0.5 mg/kg/day at time of enrollment, or have received ATG, donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) or Campath within 28 days of enrollment. * Patients with other uncontrolled infections. For bacterial infections, patients must be receiving definitive therapy and have no signs of progressing infection for 72 hours prior to enrollment. For fungal infections patients must be receiving definitive systemic anti-fungal therapy and have no signs of progressing infection for 1 week prior to enrollment. Progressing infection is defined as hemodynamic instability attributable to sepsis or new symptoms, worsening physical signs or radiographic findings attributable to infection. Persisting fever without other signs or symptoms will not be interpreted as progressing infection. Patients with ongoing viral infections are excluded. * Patients with active acute GVHD grades II-IV.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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