Bone Marrow Transplant

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not a certain type of stem-cell transplant (non-myeloablative), is effective in treating patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Non-myeloablative stem-cell transplants use lower doses of chemotherapy and radiation than conventional stem-cell transplants.

Study participants will receive the drug fludarabine together with radiation therapy before undergoing donor stem-cell transplant. Participants will also receive the drug Rituximab just before and after the transplant. This study is for patients whose disease did not respond to previous treatment with fludarabine alone or have poor-risk chromosomes.

Treatment will last about 3 1/2 months, but could be longer. We plan for most of the treatment to occur at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance outpatient clinic. If hospitalization is needed, the participant will be admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center.

1. Diagnosis of one of the following: 

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
• CLL that progresses to prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) 
• T-cell CLL or PLL

2. Disease that did not adequately respond (according to study guidelines) to prior therapy that included fludarabine (or similar drug), or disease returned after therapy with fludarabine. Also, patients with (deletion 17p) chromosomal abnormaility will be eligible for enrollment.

3. Suitable HLA-matched related or unrelated donor.

Other eligibility criteria may apply.

1. HIV-positive or other active infection

2. Active diagnosis of central nervous system involvement with CLL

3. Pregnancy or breastfeeding

4. Severe heart, liver, kidney or lung disorders

Other exclusion criteria may apply.