New drug may reduce dangerous side effects of stem cell transplants in older patients

This early-phase study tests whether the drug itacitinib can prevent cytokine release syndrome (a severe inflammatory reaction) and reduce the need for other immune-suppressing medicines after a stem cell transplant in people aged 60 and older with certain blood cancers. Participants receive itacitinib before and after a 'mini' transplant from a partially matched relative. The goal is to make the transplant safer and shorten the use of additional immunosuppressants.