granulocyte-augmented cord blood transplantation

Granulocyte-augmented cord blood transplantation is an experimental cellular therapy protocol developed by the University of Manchester for young adults (aged 16-55) with very poor-risk or treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment involves a T-replete umbilical cord blood transplant (CBT) following a standardized conditioning regimen, supplemented by daily infusions of irradiated granulocytes starting on the day of transplant. This approach is designed to trigger a controlled inflammatory response—often manifesting as fever and rash—which is believed to drive the expansion of donor lymphocytes and significantly enhance the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect. The protocol is currently being evaluated in the Phase I/II GRACE trial to establish safety, optimal granulocyte dosing, and preliminary efficacy in preventing relapse in high-risk patients.

Other names

granulocytes-University of Manchester-acute myeloid leukemiaGranulocyte-augmented CBTGranulocyte-augmented cord blood transplant