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RecruitingNCT03173937Updated Oct 1, 2026

Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation for Severe Aplastic Anemia and Hypo-plastic MDS Using CordIn(TM), Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Ex Vivo Expanded Stem and Progenitor Cells to Expedite Engraftment and Improve Transplant Outcome

A Phase 1/2 interventional study of Omidubicel (former CordIn) and Miltenyi CliniMACS(R) CD34 Reagent System in Severe Aplastic Anemia, Hypo-Plastic MDS and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), sponsored by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 4 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-01.

Sponsored by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jun 2017; still recruiting 9 years 3 months later.
Phase
Phase 1/2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
37
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
4 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Background:

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are bone marrow diseases. People with these diseases usually need a bone marrow transplant. Researchers are testing ways to make stem cell transplant safer and more effective.

Objective:

To test if treating people with SAA or MDS with a co-infusion of blood stem cells from a family member and cord blood stem cells from an unrelated donor is safe and effective.

Eligibility:

Recipients ages 4-60 with SAA or MDS

Donors ages 4-75

Design:

Recipients will be screened with:

  • Blood, lung, and heart tests
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • CT scan

Recipients will have an IV line placed into a vein in the neck. Starting 11 days before the transplant they will have several chemotherapy infusions and 1 30-minute radiation dose.

Recipients will get the donor cells through the IV line. They will stay in the hospital 3-4 weeks. After discharge, they will have visits:

  • First 3-4 months: 1-2 times weekly
  • Then every 6 months for 5 years

Donors will be screened with:

  • Physical exam
  • Medical history
  • Blood tests

Donors veins will be checked for suitability for stem cell collection. They may need an IV line to be placed in a thigh vein.

Donors will get Filgrastim or biosimilar (G-CSF) injections daily for 5-7 days. On the last day, they will have apheresis: Blood drawn from one arm or leg runs through a machine and into the other arm or leg. This may be repeated 2 days or 2-4 weeks later.

Read the detailed description

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are life-threatening bone marrow disorders. For SAA patients, long term survival can be achieved with immunosuppressive treatment. However, of those patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy, one quarter to one third will not respond, and about 50 percent of responders will relapse.

Combined haplo-cord transplant as an alternative to cord or haploidentical donor alone transplantation has recently been shown to be a viable transplant option for SAA patients lacking an HLA matched donor. In our ongoing protocol 08-H-0046, we have utilized this approach in 25 patients with SAA with 23/25 patients having sustained engraftment and long-term disease free/transfusion free survival. However, engraftment patterns have varied substantially and in some patients, cord engraftment was profoundly delayed or never occurred. A number of strategies to expand hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) in vitro to improve engraftment and prevent graft rejection have recently been studied. Nicotimanide (NAM) expanded umbilical cord blood/unrelated cord blood (UCB) can be successfully engrafted in NOD/SCID mice (1) and humans (2) where they appear to have long-term repopulating potential. CordIn(TM) is a cryopreserved stem/progenitor cell-based product of purified CD133+ cells composed of ex vivo expanded allogeneic UCB cells. CordIn(TM) comprises: 1) Ex vivo expanded, umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells ( (CordIn(TM) cultured fraction (CF)); and 2) the non-cultured cell fraction of the same CBU (CordIn(TM) Non-cultured Fraction (NF)) consisting of mature myeloid and lymphoid cells. Both fractions, i.e. CordIn(TM) CF and CordIn(TM) NF are kept frozen until they are infused on the day of transplantation.

This research protocol is therefore designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transplantation with ex vivo expanded UCB (CordIn(TM)) to overcome the high incidence of graft rejection associated with conventional UCB for aplastic anemia, where graft rejection occurs in up to 50% of subjects. We believe, based on preliminary data, that transplantation of CordIn(TM) will not only lead to rapid engraftment, but will also lead to sustained hematopoiesis, expedited immune recovery, and will reduce the chance of cord graft failure in this setting, potentially obviating the need for co-transplanting haploidentical CD34+ cells as a stem cell back-up. This phase II study is designed to have two cohorts: cohort 1 is intended to establish (in as safe a manner as possible) preliminary pilot data to support the capacity for the CordIn unit to engraft in patients with SAA in the presence of haplo CD34+ cells. For cohort 1, three to six subjects will be conditioned then will be transplanted with the thawed CordIn(TM) unit (consisting of the cultured fraction and the non-cultured fraction of the same CBU) and approximately 3 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg from a haploidentical donor which will serve as a backup stem cell source should cord graft failure occur. If 3 of the first 3 to 4 subjects or 4 of 6 subjects achieve early and sustained engraftment (defined as ANC >500 cells/ul by day 26 and a calculated cord ANC >500 cells /ul by day 42 sustained at day 100), the study will move to cohort 2 where up to 23 subsequent subjects will be transplanted with the CordIn(TM) unit alone.

The primary objective of the Phase II study is to evaluate the ability of the CordIn(TM) unit to achieve sustained early engraftment. Secondary endpoints will include 100 day and 200 day treatment related mortality (TRM), and standard transplant outcome variables such as non-hematologic toxicity, incidence and severity of acute and chronic GVHD, and relapse of disease. Health related quality of life will also be assessed as secondary outcome measure.

02

Conditions studied

  • Severe Aplastic Anemia
  • Hypo-Plastic MDS
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Keywords

  • Haploidentical
  • Nonmyeloablative
03

In context

Anemia, Aplastic

343 studies on the registry are indexed under Anemia, Aplastic; 99 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 37 is close to the median of 39 across 268 interventional studies indexed under Anemia, Aplastic.

Browse Anemia, Aplastic studies →

Lead sponsor

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is the lead sponsor of 1,117 studies on the registry; 71 are open to participants now.

Of its 57 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 49 (86%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
4 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA - RECIPIENT:
  • Diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia with bone marrow cellularity \<30% (excluding lymphocytes) associated with RBC or platelet transfusion dependence and/or neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \<=1000 cells/ uL or for patients receiving granulocyte transfusions, absolute neutrophil count \<=1000 cells/ uL before beginning granulocyte transfusions).

OR

History of severe aplastic anemia transformed to MDS that meet the following criteria: a) International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk category of INT-1 or greater, b) \< 5% myeloblasts and \< 30% of cellularity in the bone marrow on screening morphologic analysis.

-Intolerance of or failure to respond to immunosuppressive therapy. This also includes patients who have failed immunosuppressive therapy with ATG and cyclosporine or therapy with cyclosporine combined with eltrombopag in those who are intolerant of or do not have access to treatment with ATG.

Identification of either a) at least one alternative donor (i.e. HLA- haploidentical related donor (i.e. >=5/10 HLA match: HLA-A, B, C, DR, and DQ loci) or >=9/10 HLA matched unrelated donor) who is available to serve as a stem cell donor for a salvage allogeneic transplant in the event that the CordIn(TM) unit has been rejected or b) umbilical cord blood unit/s that can be used for a salvage cord blood transplant in the event that the CordIn(TM) unit has been rejected.

-Availability of at least one >=4/8 HLA matched (HLA-A, B, C, and DR loci) cord blood unit from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).

The cord blood unit must contain a minimum TNC of at least 1.8 x 10\^9 and at least 1.5x10\^7/kg TNC and at least 8 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells (all doses prior to thawing).

Exception: Cord units containing at least 8 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells but less than 1.8 x 10\^9 TNC may be eligible for use on this trial if

  1. the pre-expansion CD34/kg recipient cell number is at least 1.5 x 10\^5 /kg

    AND

  2. approval for use of this cord unit for expansion is granted by Gamida Cell.
  3. the final cell counts on the cultured and non-cultured fractions meet the IND specified minimal release criteria.

    • The CBU will have undergone volume reduction (both plasma and red blood cell depletion) prior to cryopreservation. All CBUs should be procured from public banks that meet local applicable regulations.
    • Ages 4-60 years inclusive.
    • Ability to comprehend the investigational nature of the study and provide informed consent. The procedure will be explained to subjects aged 4-17 years with formal consent being obtained from parents or legal guardian.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - RECIPIENT (ANY OF THE FOLLOWING):

  • Availability of an HLA identical (12/12) matched related or unrelated donor who is available within optimal timeline and suitable considering graft source and established donor selection factors (e.g. age, sex, viral exposure, ABO compatibility, pregnancy status, etc) per PI discretion.
  • ECOG performance status of 2 or more.
  • Major anticipated illness or organ failure incompatible with survival from transplant.
  • Current pregnancy, or unwillingness to take oral contraceptives or use a barrier method of birth control or practice abstinence to refrain from pregnancy, if of childbearing potential for one year.
  • Diagnosis of Fanconi s anemia (by chromosome breakage study).
  • Diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) \<40% using DLCO corrected for Hgb or lung volumes (patients under the age of 10 may be excluded from this criterion if they have difficulty performing the test correctly and thus are unable to have their DLCO assessed).
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 40% (evaluated by ECHO).
  • Transaminases > 5x upper limit of normal.
  • Serum bilirubin >4 mg/dl.
  • Creatinine clearance \< 50 cc/min/BSAm\^2 by 24-hour urine collection adjusted by body surface area.
  • Serum creatinine > 2.5 mg/dl
  • Presence of an active infection not adequately responding to appropriate therapy.
  • History of a malignant disease liable to relapse or progress within 5 years.
  • Allergy to bovine, Gentamicin, or to any product which may interfere with the treatment.
  • Presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) to the umbilical cord blood unit and for cohort 1, to the haplo-identical donor.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 1 / Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Sequential assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
37 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    1

    CordIn is a cryopreserved stem/progenitor cell-based product of purified CD133+ cells composed of ex vivo expanded allogeneic UCB cells.

    Biological: Omidubicel (former CordIn) · Device: Miltenyi CliniMACS(R) CD34 Reagent System

Interventions

  • BiologicalOmidubicel (former CordIn)

    Stem/progenitor cell-based product of purified CD133+ cells composed of ex vivo expanded allogeneic umbilical/unrelated cord blood (UCB) cells. CordIn(TM) comprises: 1) cord blood-derived ex vivo expanded CD133+ cells (CordIn (TM) cultured fraction (CF)); and 2) the non-cultured cell fraction (CD133-) of the same CBU (CordIn(TM) Non-cultured Fraction (NF)). Both fractions, i.e. CordIn(TM) CF and CordIn(TM) NF are kept frozen until they are infused on the day of transplantation.

  • DeviceMiltenyi CliniMACS(R) CD34 Reagent System

    The CliniMACS CD34 Reagent System is a medical device system that is designed for the in vitro enrichment of CD34+ target cells from heterogeneous hematologic cell populations. The process of CD34+ cell selection results in simultaneous passive depletion of donor lymphocytes, potentially obviating the need for immunosuppressive drugs to prevent GVHD.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Cord engraftment

    Cord engraftment

    Time frame: At or before day 100

Secondary outcomes

  1. Treatment related mortality (TRM), and standard transplant outcome variables such as non-hematologic toxicity, incidence and severity of acute and chronic GVHD, and relapse of disease

    treatment related mortality

    Time frame: 100 day and 200 day

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
    Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
    • For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR) · Contact · prpl@cc.nih.gov · 800-411-1222
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Minor edits
Nothing that changes what the study is or who can join. Edited: verification date
1 update, last Oct 1, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Oct 1, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: verification date

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03173937
Lead sponsor
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 2, 2017
Start date
Jun 13, 2017
Primary completion
Apr 28, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Mar 1, 2032 (estimated)
Last update
Oct 1, 2026

Study contacts

Melissa M Spencer, R.N.
Contact
melissa.spencer@nih.gov
(301) 402-5609
Richard W Childs, M.D.
Contact
childsr@nhlbi.nih.gov
(301) 768-9433
Richard W Childs, M.D.
principal investigator · National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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