Azacitidine in Patients Undergoing Matched Unrelated Stem Cell Transplantation

The purpose of this phase I/II study is to define the maximum tolerated dose of 5-AzaC and the effect on grade II-IV GvHD when given after matched unrelated donor transplant (MUD).


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients must meet the following criteria within 30 days prior to Day 0 unless otherwise noted.

* Phase I: Diagnosis of any hematological malignancy listed below (excluding myelofibrosis) in remission or with stable minimal residual disease

  * Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 1st or subsequent remission or in relapse after any remission
  * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 1st or subsequent remission or in relapse after any remission
  * Myelodysplastic syndrome either intermediate 1 or 2, or high risk by the International Prognostic Scoring System
  * Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in accelerated or second chronic phase
  * Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin's disease (HD) in 2nd or greater complete remission, partial remission, or refractory relapse
  * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Rai Stage 2-4, failing at least 2 prior regimens
  * Multiple myeloma (MM), Stage 2-3
  * Myeloproliferative disorder or neoplasm
* Phase II: Diagnosis of AML in remission 1 or 2 or a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome either intermediate 1 or 2, or high risk by the International Prognostic Scoring System.
* Patients with MDS must be transplant candidates by current clinical standards.
* Patients who have been treated with hypomethylating agents prior to entering the study are eligible.
* Must have matched unrelated donor (8 of 8 HLA match at A, B, C, and DR loci) by high resolution DNA typing
* Must have donor peripheral blood stem cells mobilized by NMDP standards. No bone marrow donors.
* Must have 2-8 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg (recipient weight) infused on Day 0.
* Must have at least one additional aliquot of \>=1 x 10\^6 CD34/kg cryopreserved cells stored at the time of transplant.
* Must receive a myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning regimen for SCT as defined by the CIBMTR

  * Cyclophosphamide and single dose total body irradiation
  * Fludarabine and busulfan
  * Fractionated TBI and cyclophosphamide
  * Busulfan and cyclophosphamide
* Must be able to receive GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus and methotrexate.
* Must be ≥ 18 yrs old and ≤ 70 yrs old. Azacitidine is not approved by the FDA for use in children.
* Must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2.
* Must have laboratory results indicating:

  * Total bilirubin \< 2.0 mg/dl, unless a diagnosis of Gilbert's disease
  * AST/ALT ≤ 3 X the upper limit of institutional normal
  * Serum creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dl
* Patient must have ability to understand and willingness to provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study and any related procedures being performed.
* The effects of azacitidine on the developing human fetus at the recommended therapeutic dose are unknown. For this reason and because category D agents as well as other therapeutic agents used in this trial are known to be teratogenic, women of childbearing age must have a negative serum pregnancy test (ß-human chorionic gonadotropin) within 72 hours prior to initiating the conditioning regimen and be willing to not become pregnant by using effective contraception while undergoing treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of azacitidine.
* Men must be willing not to father a new child while receiving therapy. They must use an effective barrier method of contraception during the study and for 3 months following the last dose.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Must not have myelofibrosis or other disease known to prolong neutrophil engraftment to \> 28 days after transplant.
* Must not be receiving any other investigational agents within 14 days of first dose of azacitidine (Day 7).
* Must not have myeloablative conditioning as defined below:

  * TBI \< or = Gy +/- purine analog
  * Flu + Cy +/- ATG
  * Flu + AraC + Ida
  * Cladribine + AraC
  * Total Lymphoid Irradiation + ATG
* Must not receive antithymocyte globulin as part of pre-transplant conditioning regimens. Antithymocyte globulin is excluded due to its potential impact on modulating the incidence of GvHD or GvL.
* Must not have uncontrolled intercurrent illness including ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant women are excluded from this study because azacitidine is a Category D agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with azacitidine, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated azacitidine. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study.
* Must not have a known or suspected hypersensitivity to azacitidine, mannitol, or compounds of similar composition to azacitidine..
* Must not have an advanced malignant hepatic tumor.
* Must not be HIV, HBV, or HCV positive.