Orca-T

This phase I trial tests the side effects and best dose of total marrow lymphoid irradiation along with chemotherapy, with fludarabine and melphalan, with or without thiotepa, in combination with Orca-T cells for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Total marrow and lymphoid irradiation is a targeted form of total body irradiation that uses intensity-modulated radiation therapy to target marrow, lymph node chains, and the spleen. It is designed to reduce radiation-associated side effects and maximize the radiation therapeutic effect. Giving chemotherapy with medications such as thiotepa, fludarabine, and melphalan before a treatment with stem cells helps kill cancer cells in the body and helps make room in the patient's bone marrow for new blood-forming cells (stem cells) to grow. Orca-T cells take cells from a donor and remove some of the T cells and replace them with partially engineered T cells in order to induce better tolerance in patients. Giving total marrow and lymphoid irradiation and chemotherapy followed by Orca -T cells may be an effective treatment for patients with AML, ALL or MDS.