Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant With or Without NK Cell Infusion in AML and MDS

Relapse after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is high in patients with advanced AML, in the 50% range. NK cells have been shown to possess significant anti-leukemic activity and may be used to reduce the incidence of relapse in patients with advanced AML. Investigators hypothesize that the administration of a purified boost of NK cells on day +7 post HSCT, will reduce the incidence of relapse from the current 50% to 25%. In a phase III multicenter clinical study, 116 patients will be randomized to receive or not a boost of donor NK cells on day +7 post-HSCT. The first 10 patients in the experimental arm will be analyzed for toxicity. The stopping rule will be a transplant related mortality of more than 50% in the first 20 patients who received NK cells.