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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1INTERVENTIONAL

Preemptive CIML NK Cell Therapy After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Cytokine-induced Memory-like Natural Killer Cell Therapy After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Eradication of Measurable Residual Disease, a Phase I/Ib Clinical Trial

Preemptive CIML NK Cell Therapy After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (NCT06138587) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Leukemia, sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The purpose of this research study is to test the safety and efficacy of cytokine induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cells expanded with Interleukin-2 (IL-2) at preventing relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or MDS and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) overlap syndrome after a standard-of-care stem cell transplant. Names of the study therapies involved in this study are: * CIML NK cells intravenous infusion (cellular therapy) * Subcutaneous Interleukin-2 (recombinant, human glycoprotein)

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 15 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Inclusion Criteria for Trial Enrollment: - diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis of AML, MDS, or MDS/MPN that is at high risk for post-transplant relapse and that has measurable disease prior to transplant, except for patients with TP 53 mutated disease who are eligible regardless of measurable residual disease. Patients at high risk for post-transplant relapse include: - De novo AML diagnosed at or after age 60, except CBF AML - De novo AML in CR1 AND MRD+ by Hematologics Inc. flow cytometry pretransplant (this would be on the most recent pre-transplant bone marrow) - Secondary AML - Any AML transplanted in CR2 or greater - TP53-mutated MDS or AML - Therapy-related MDS or AML - MDS with monosomy 7 - MDS with \>= 10% blasts at the time of transplant - MDS/MPN or CMML - your organs (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working well enough based on blood tests within 2 weeks of NK cell infusion as defined below (should correspond with admission for SCT): - Total bilirubin: ≤1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (except Gilbert's or disease related hemolysis, then \< 3 x ULN) - AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT): ≤3 x institutional ULN - Serum creatinine \</= 2.0mg/dL - O2 saturation: ≥90% on room air - LVEF \>40%. If there is no clinical evidence of a change in cardiovascular function from the time of pre-transplantation ECHO (per FACT standards should be performed within 6 weeks of stem cell infusion), then there is no need to repeat it. Otherwise, an ECHO will need to be repeated. - Adult patients (age ≥ 18) eligible for and planned to undergo a standard-of-care reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) HLA-matched related or related haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplant using PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis. All eligibility criteria and workups for undergoing SOC allogeneic SCT for the recipient and donor will be based on institutional standards and SOPs. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria for Trial Enrollment: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of AML, MDS, or MDS/MPN that is at high risk for post-transplant relapse and that has measurable disease prior to transplant, except for patients with TP 53 mutated disease who are eligible regardless of measurable residual disease. Patients at high risk for post-transplant relapse include: * De novo AML diagnosed at or after age 60, except CBF AML * De novo AML in CR1 AND MRD+ by Hematologics Inc. flow cytometry pretransplant (this would be on the most recent pre-transplant bone marrow) * Secondary AML * Any AML transplanted in CR2 or greater * TP53-mutated MDS or AML * Therapy-related MDS or AML * MDS with monosomy 7 * MDS with \>= 10% blasts at the time of transplant * MDS/MPN or CMML * Adequate organ function within 2 weeks of NK cell infusion as defined below (should correspond with admission for SCT): * Total bilirubin: ≤1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (except Gilbert's or disease related hemolysis, then \< 3 x ULN) * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT): ≤3 x institutional ULN * Serum creatinine \</= 2.0mg/dL * O2 saturation: ≥90% on room air * LVEF \>40%. If there is no clinical evidence of a change in cardiovascular function from the time of pre-transplantation ECHO (per FACT standards should be performed within 6 weeks of stem cell infusion), then there is no need to repeat it. Otherwise, an ECHO will need to be repeated. * Adult patients (age ≥ 18) eligible for and planned to undergo a standard-of-care reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) HLA-matched related or related haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplant using PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis. All eligibility criteria and workups for undergoing SOC allogeneic SCT for the recipient and donor will be based on institutional standards and SOPs. * For patients with AML, the disease must meet criteria for CR/Cri according to 2017 ELN guidelines. For patients with MDS and MDS/MPN patients, the blast percentage on the bone marrow aspirate and biopsy must be less than 10%. * The same related donor is available to provide a non-mobilized apheresis product after the stem-cell donation. * ECOG performance status \<= 2 (Karnofsky \>= 60%, see Appendix C). * Negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing age * The effects of CIML NK cells combined with IL-2 on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after IL-2 dose administration. * No laboratory evidence of ongoing hemolysis in opinion of investigator Exclusion Criteria Trial Enrollment: * Adult participants who are eligible for and who would be expected to have a greater benefit from myeloablative conditioning in their SOC allo HSCT as judged by their treating physician * Participants with mutations such as FLT3-ITD, IDH, or BCR-ABL mutations who are planned to receive targeted agent maintenance therapy to prevent relapse post-transplant are excluded. * Extramedullary leukemia involving sanctuary sites not readily accessible to immune surveillance, such as CNS or testis. Other sites of extramedullary relapse (e.g., leukemia cutis, granulocytic sarcoma) are acceptable. * The planned use of sirolimus for GVHD prophylaxis would result in exclusion of the patient from the study. Consideration of the addition of sirolimus to the GVHD prophylaxis regimen within the first 100 days after transplant must be reviewed with the study PI. * Prior history of allogeneic stem cell transplant other than SOC alloHSCT referred to in this study taking place 7 days prior to CIML NK infusion. * Prior history of solid organ (allograft) transplantation * Prior history of allergic reactions to cellular products * Uncontrolled concurrent illness such as ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric/social illness that would limit compliance with study requirements. * Pregnant women are excluded from this study because of the unknown teratogenic risk of CIML NK cells and IL-2 and with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects by Flu/Cy chemotherapy regimen. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with CIML NK cells and IL-2, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated on this study. * HIV-positive patients are excluded due to the potential for interaction between antiretroviral therapy as well as the risk for lethal infection in the context of marrow-suppressive therapy. * Patients with active and uncontrolled Hepatitis B or C are ineligible due to the high risk of treatment-related hepatotoxicity after cellular therapy. * Individuals with a history of a different malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances: 1. History of other malignancy and have had complete remission of disease for at least 2 years; 2. Diagnosed and treated within the past 2 years for: nonmetastatic melanoma, surgically resected (not needing systemic chemotherapy) squamous cell carcinoma of skin and nonmetastatic prostate cancer not needing systemic chemotherapy. * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to IL-2 or other agents used in study. 3. Diagnosed with MGUS or smoldering myeloma, and/or treated for multiple myeloma or plasmacytoma as long as attainment of complete remission by IMWG criteria following therapy. * Prior history of Grade 2 or higher hemolytic anemia (\>/= 2g decrease in hemoglobin plus laboratory evidence of hemolysis) from any cause. Inclusion Criteria to Receive CIML NK Infusion * Adequate organ function within 24 hours of NK cell infusion as defined below: * Total bilirubin: ≤1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (except Gilbert's or disease-related hemolysis, then \< 3 x ULN) * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT): ≤3 x institutional ULN * Grade ≥3 non-hematologic toxicities of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine conditioning (except for Grade 3 nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation). * No significant change in clinical status that would, in the opinion of the investigator, increase the risk of adverse events associated with CIML NK infusion, (e.g., symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia) * No evidence of ongoing hemolysis in opinion of investigator Exclusion Criteria to Receive CIML NK Infusion: * Systemic steroid therapy (oral or IV) on the day of NK cell infusion * Uncontrolled concurrent illness such as ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric/social illness that would limit compliance with study requirements. * Participants who have had other investigational agents within 4 weeks prior to CIML NK cell infusion (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C), or immunotherapy within 8 weeks prior, or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks prior. Therapy with BCR-ABL inhibitors must be stopped at least 2 weeks before CIML NK cell infusion and may not be resumed during the DLT period. The use of tocilizumab for cytokine release syndrome after stem cell infusion does not exclude patients, but the use of steroids for the treatment of CRS excludes patients if they are still on steroids by the day of planned NK cell infusion. * Systemic steroid use of \>10mg/day of prednisone equivalent is an exclusion criteria unless there is a plan for dose to be tapered below this limit within 4 weeks prior to NK cell infusion. Patients must be off systemic steroid therapy on the day of planned NK cell infusion. -The presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) with mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) \>1000 using a standard assay who do not receive a desensitization protocol prior to and during stem cell transplant, or else who do receive a desensitization protocol and have detectable DSAs +1 day after stem cell infusion. If inclusion/exclusion criteria are not met on planned day of CIML NK cell infusion, the NK cell infusion may be delayed for up to 48 hours to enable inclusion criteria to be met. However, patient may still receive CIML NK infusion if relevant parameters are reviewed and both PI and IND holder are in agreement with proceeding.

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

Cytokine Induced Memory-like Natural Killer Cells

Allogeneic, cytokine induced memory-like natural killer cells, via intravenous infusion per protocol.

BIOLOGICAL

Interleukin-2

Recombinant, human glycoprotein, single-use 22 MIU vials, via subcutaneous injection per protocol.

Locations (2)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06138587), the sponsor (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06138587 clinical trial studying?

The purpose of this research study is to test the safety and efficacy of cytokine induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cells expanded with Interleukin-2 (IL-2) at preventing relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or MDS and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) overlap syndrome after a standard-of-care stem cell transplant. Names of the study therapies involved in this study are: * CIML NK cells intravenous infusion (cellular therapy) * Subcutaneous Interleukin-2 (recombinant, human glycoprotein) The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06138587?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06138587?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06138587. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06138587. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.