University of Kentucky Center for Cancer and Metabolism (Pilot Project - Gerhard Hildebrandt): Metabolic Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment option for a variety of hematological malignancies. Interactions between the donor immune system and the patient tissue result in graft versus host disease (GVHD). The benefit of HSCT relies in its ability to suppress and/or eradicate leukemia cells, the so called “graft versus leukemia” effect (GVL), which reduces the relapse risk and prolongs the chances for disease free survival and cure. However, its benefits are countered by the risk of GVHD, which as its major complication results in significant morbidity and mortality. On our ongoing Medical Institutional Review Board bio-repository protocol, blood as well as fluid from oral and throat rinses has and will be obtained from patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. In this study we will Characterize lipid and glucose metabolites in the blood and oral and throat rinse of hematological malignancy patients after allogeneic HSCT and identify their association with transplant outcomes and other complications. Targeting specific metabolic pathways with new treatments will move transplant medicine closer towards the goal of personalized management and towards improved outcome after allo-HSCT.The results generated from this study will be key preliminary data for a future R01 proposal to the NCI. This study is directly applicable for cancer care, as it tries to mitigate cancer therapy related toxicity of a cancer treatment modality, which often is the only potentially curable option for our hematological malignancy patients.