Study of Pregnyl as Adjunct Therapy for High-Risk or Refractory Acute GVHD

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Pregnyl® when given in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk (Arm 1) or refractory/dependent (Arm 2) aGVHD.

Official Title
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Phase I/II Study of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Epidermal Growth Factor Supplementation (Pregnyl®) to Support Tolerance and Repair As Adjunct Therapy in High-Risk or Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Conditions
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Graft vs Host Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Pregnyl®


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) fitting one of the following categories: High-Risk aGVHD (ARM 1): Pediatric or adult (ages 12-76 years) HCT recipients with high-risk acute GVHD, as determined by the refined MN acute GVHD risk score: http://z.umn.edu/MNAcuteGVHDRiskScore OR high risk on the basis of blood biomarkers (Ann Arbor Score 3 or amphiregulin ≥ 33 pg/ml) or Steroid-Refractory aGVHD (ARM 2): Pediatric or adult (ages 12-76 years) HCT recipient with grade II-IV steroid refractory or steroid-dependent acute GVHD, defined as any one of the following: No response of acute GVHD after at least 4 days of systemic corticosteroids of at least 2 mg/kg prednisone or equivalent Progression of acute GVHD within 3 days of systemic corticosteroids of at least 2 mg/kg prednisone or equivalent Failure to improve to at least grade II acute GVHD after 14 days of systemic corticosteroids, with initial doses of at least 2 mg/kg prednisone or equivalent Flare of acute GVHD of at least grade II/IV severity despite tapering dose of steroids being > 0.5 mg/kg/day. Adequate organ function at study enrollment defined as: Renal: 1.73m2Serum creatinine ≤2.5x upper limit of normal (ULN) Cardiac: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 35% Voluntary written consent (adult or parent/guardian with minor assent for 12 through 17 year olds) Exclusion Criteria: Progressive malignancy Diagnosis of a hormone responsive malignancy Uncontrolled infection at initiation of protocol treatment Current thromboembolic disease requiring full-dose anticoagulation - patients receiving pharmacologic prophylaxis for thromboembolic disease will be eligible Active or recent (within prior 3 months) thrombus, irrespective of anticoagulation status Pregnancy as assessed on baseline blood hCG level Unwilling or unable to stop supplemental sex hormone therapy (estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone preparations) Women or men of childbearing potential unwilling to take adequate precautions to avoid pregnancy from the start of protocol treatment through 28 days after the last treatment Screening Inclusion Criteria: Pediatric or adult (ages 0-76 years) HCT recipients Suspected high risk GVHD Voluntary written consent (adult or parent/guardian with minor assent for 12 through 17 year olds)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 76 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase 1 Dose Level -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase I Dose Level -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase 1 Dose Level 1 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort have reached day 21 in order to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase 1 Dose Level 2 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort have reached day 21 in order to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase 1 Dose Level 3 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort have reached day 21 in order to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: Phase 1 Dose Level -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: Phase I Dose Level -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: Phase 1 Dose Level 1 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: Phase 1 Dose Level 2 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: Phase 1 Dose Level 3 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase I Dose Level -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level 1 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level 2 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level 3 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level 4 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: Phase 1 Dose Level 5 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m^2<br>Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® (hCG supplementation) at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 7 doses of Pregnyl®; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. The 1st 2 patients will be enrolled in dose level 1. The next cohort of 2 patients will not begin treatment until all patients in the current cohort has reached day 21 to assess for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Individual patient dose reductions: If a patient has a toxicity, the patient can drop down one dose level for the next injection and continue treatment. | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 1: Phase 2 MTD<br>After completion of the dose finding trial for each arm, the final doses will be carried forward into a two-stage phase II extension trial to confirm safety and make a preliminary determination of the activity level for Arm 1 and Arm 2. If the phase I trial enrolls fewer than 13 patients at the MTD, we will employ Simon's Minmax two-stage design with the possibility to discontinue after the 1st stage if the response rate is low | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2A: MTD<br>After completion of the dose finding trial for each arm, the final doses will be carried forward into a two-stage phase II extension trial to confirm safety and make a preliminary determination of the activity level for Arm 1 and Arm 2. If the phase I trial enrolls fewer than 13 patients at the MTD, we will employ Simon's Minmax two-stage design with the possibility to discontinue after the 1st stage if the response rate is low | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|
| Experimental: Arm 2B: MTD<br>After completion of the dose finding trial for each arm, the final doses will be carried forward into a two-stage phase II extension trial to confirm safety and make a preliminary determination of the activity level for Arm 1 and Arm 2. If the phase I trial enrolls fewer than 13 patients at the MTD, we will employ Simon's Minmax two-stage design with the possibility to discontinue after the 1st stage if the response rate is low | Drug: Pregnyl®<br>* Standard of care immunosuppression, plus Pregnyl® at assigned dose subcutaneously every other day for up to 5 doses through day 7 Phase I: up to 7 dose levels of Pregnyl® will be tested; however dose levels -1 and -2 will be used only if dose level 1 proves too toxic. Study will use Continual Reassessment Method (CRM) to establish a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Step -2: 125 USP hCG/875 pg EGF/m2 Step -1: 250 USP hCG/1,750 pg EGF/m2 Step 1 (start): 500 USP hCG/3,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 2: 1,000 USP hCG/7,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 3: 2,000 USP hCG/14,000 pg EGF/m2 Step 4 (Arm 2b only): 3,500 USP hCG/24,500 pg EGF/m2 Step 5 (Arm 2b only): 5,000 USP hCG/35,000 pg EGF/m Phase II: the dose of Pregnyl will be that identified as the MTD during phase I.<br>* Other names: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Phase I: MTD (USP hCG) | Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Pregnyl® when given with standard immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk or refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Dosage measured as (USP hCG/pg EGF/mm^2). | Day 14 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Phase I: MTD (pg EGF/m^2) | Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Pregnyl® when given with standard immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk or refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Dosage measured as (USP hCG/pg EGF/m^2). | Day 14 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Patients With Complete Response | Percentage of complete response among surviving patients at day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk (Arm 1) or refractory (Arm 2) aGVHD. Complete response is defined as a Stage of 0 for all organs with no additional intervening therapy for their GVHD. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Patients With Partial Response | Percentage of partial response among surviving patients at day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk (Arm 1) or refractory (Arm 2) aGVHD. Partial response is defined as improvement by at least 1 stage in all involved organs without progression in others with no additional intervening therapy for their GVHD. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Patients With Mixed Response | Percentage of mixed response among surviving patients at day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk (Arm 1) or refractory (Arm 2) aGVHD. Mixed Response is defined as improvement in one organ with deterioration in another organ manifesting symptoms of GVHD or development of symptoms of GVHD in a new organ. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Patients With No Response | Percentage of no response among surviving patients at day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk (Arm 1) or refractory (Arm 2) aGVHD. No response is defined as deterioration of any organ involved. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants With Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Feasibility of hCG Supplementation With Pregnyl® | Safety and feasibility of hCG supplementation with Pregnyl® in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk or refractory aGVHD. | Day 70 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Participants With Incidence of aGVHD Flare | Incidence of acute GVHD flare after CR/PR requiring increase of steroids or other systemic treatment at day 28. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Number of Participants With Incidence of aGVHD Flare | Incidence of acute GVHD flare after CR/PR requiring increase of steroids or other systemic treatment at day 56. | Day 56 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Rate of Participants Who Fail Treatment at Day 28 | Rate of treatment failure for acute GVHD at day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy to historical controls. | Day 28 after initiation of protocol therapy | 
| Rate of Participants Who Fail Treatment at Day 56 | Rate of treatment failure for acute GVHD at day 56 after initiation of protocol therapy to historical controls. | Day 56 after initiation of protocol therapy | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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GVHD