NCT03802695 · Orca Biosystems, Inc.
A Phase 1 Study of Orca-Q in Recipients Undergoing Allogeneic Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies
What this study is about
This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of engineered donor grafts ("OrcaGraft"/"Orca-Q") in participants undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
View original scientific description
This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of engineered donor grafts ("OrcaGraft"/"Orca-Q") in participants undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age at the time of enrollment:
- For MAC with fully matched donor (Arm A with 8/8 donor and Arm C) and NMA/RIC: Age ≥ 12 and ≤ 78 years
- For MAC with mismatched donors (Arm A with 7/8 donor and Arm B): Age ≥ 12 and ≤ 65 years
- Diagnosed acute myeloid, lymphoblastic or mixed phenotype leukemia, or high or very high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) either in complete remission (CR) or with ≤ 10 percent of blast cells in bone marrow (BM)
- Indicated for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHCT)
- Matched to a 8/8 or 7/8 related or unrelated donor, or to a related haploidentical donor
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \> 50 mL/minute (MAC with tacrolimus) or \> 30 mL/minute (NMA/RIC or MAC without tacrolimus)
- Cardiac parameters: Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 45 percent (MAC) or ≥ 40 percent (NMA/RIC)
- Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (adjusted for hemoglobin) ≥ 50 percent for MAC or ≥ 40 percent for NMA/RIC
- Liver function: Total bilirubin \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (MAC) or \< 3 times ULN (NMA/RIC); alanine transaminase (ALT)/aspartate transaminase (AST) \< 3 times ULN (MAC) or \< 5 times ULN (NMA/RIC)
- Participants enrolling on NMA/RIC-alloHCT arms must be deemed unfit for a myeloablative alloHCT per assessment of the principal investigator (PI) Key
Exclusion criteria
- Prior alloHCT
- Currently receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy except for approved disease-specific therapy for the patient's underlying hematologic malignancy. Topical corticosteroids or oral systemic corticosteroid doses less than or equal to 10 mg/day are allowed
- Planned donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI)
- Planned pharmaceutical in vivo or ex vivo T cell depletion, e.g., post-transplant cyclophosphamide (Cy) or alemtuzumab
- Positive anti-donor HLA antibodies against a mismatched allele in the selected donor
- Low performance score: For MAC: Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) \< 70 percent, For NMA/RIC: \<60 percent
- High HCT-specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI): For MAC \> 4, For NMA/RIC \>6
- Uncontrolled bacterial, viral or fungal infections (currently taking antimicrobial therapy and with progression or no clinical improvement) at time of enrollment
- Seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or -2, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1 or -2 or Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) or anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab)
- Any uncontrolled autoimmune disease requiring active immunosuppressive treatment
- Concurrent malignancies or active disease within 1 year, except non-melanoma skin cancers that have been curatively resected. Patients with concurrent indolent hematologic malignancies that do not require active treatment and are under active surveillance only (such as CLL, low-grade lymphomas, smoldering MM, MZL) may be included with the approval of Medical Monitor
- History of idiopathic or secondary myelofibrosis
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Where
- Duarte, California
- Sacramento, California
- Stanford, California
- Tampa, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Hackensack, New Jersey
- New York, New York
- Columbus, Ohio
- Houston, Texas
- Seattle, Washington
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 1, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations