View clinical trials related to Pancytopenia.
Filter by:Fanconi's Anemia is an inherited disorder that can produce bone marrow failure. In addition, some patients with Fanconi's anemia have physical defects usually involving the skeleton and kidneys. The major problem for most patients is aplastic anemia, the blood counts for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are low because the bone marrow fails to produce these cells. Some patients with Fanconi's anemia can develop leukemia or cancers of other organs. Many laboratory studies have suggested that Fanconi's anemia is caused by an inherited defect in the ability of cells to repair DNA. Recently, the gene for one of the four types of Fanconi's anemia, type C, has been identified. It is known that this gene is defective in patients with Fanconi's anemia type C. Researchers have conducted laboratory studies that suggest Fanconi's anemia type C may be treatable with gene therapy. Gene therapy works by placing a normal gene into the cells of patients with abnormal genes responsible for Fanconi's anemia type C. After the normal gene is in place, new normal cells can develop and grow. Drugs can be given to these patients kill the remaining abnormal cells. The new cells containing normal genes and will not be harmed by these drugs. The purpose of this study is to test whether researchers can safely place the normal Fanconi's anemia type C gene into cells of patients with the disease. The gene will be placed into special cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. These stem cells are responsible for producing new red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
This trial, sponsored by Amgen, Inc., which produces the recombinant methionyl human stem cell factor (r-metHuSCF), also involves two other institutions. The primary objective is determination of the safety of administering multiple doses of r-metHuSCF in the setting of acquired aplastic anemia and evaluation of the effect of r-metHuSCF on peripheral blood counts. Potential effects of r-metHuSCF on frequency of need for red cell or platelet transfusions and on bone marrow morphology/cellularity will also be evaluated.
Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the cells normally found in blood are greatly decreased. The normal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are much lower in patients with aplastic anemia. Because of these low levels of blood cells, patients with aplastic anemia have a variety of immune system abnormalities. However, low levels of blood cells make it difficult to collect specialized white blood cells (mononuclear cells) for research studies. This study was designed to collect lymphocytes from patients with low levels of all blood cells (pancytopenia) for use in research. Patients participating in the study will undergo a special procedure known as lymphapheresis. During lymphapheresis blood is taken from the patient in a manner similar to blood donation. The white blood cells are selectively removed by spinning (centrifugation), and the remaining red blood cells and platelets are placed back (re-infused) into the donor s blood stream. Patients participating in this study will not benefit directly from it. However, cells collected in this study may increase scientific knowledge and improve understanding and treatment for diseases like aplastic anemia.
To determine the therapeutic effects of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in patients with aplastic anemia and related bone marrow failure diseases.