Nivolumab and Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The purpose of this research study is to determine the acceptable upper limit dose of nivolumab in combination with dasatinib that may be given to patients with relapsed/refractory philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Nivolumab is currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for other cancers, but has not yet been investigated in Ph+ ALL. Dasatinib is currently FDA approved for the treatment of Ph+ ALL, but has not yet been investigated in combination with nivolumab for this disease. There is evidence that dasatinib not only blocks the Philadelphia chromosome or breakpoint cluster region-Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (BCR-ABL) mutation, but also increases the activity of cells in your immune system. Nivolumab increases T cells in your immune system, which allows your immune system to attack the cancer. We think the combination of these drugs will be more effective against your leukemia than either drug used alone.