A Two Step Approach to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies-Increasing GVT Effects Without Increasing Toxicity

This phase II trial studies the how well donor stem cell transplant works in treating patients with high risk hematologic malignancies. Giving total-body irradiation and chemotherapy before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cells in the bone marrow, including normal blood-forming cells (stem cells) and cancer cells. It may also stop the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. When the healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient they may help the patient's bone marrow make stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The donated stem cells may also replace the patient's immune cells and help destroy any remaining cancer cells.