Cytokine-induced Memory-like NK Cells in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

This phase I/2 trial studies the side effects and best dose of activated natural killer cells in treating patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Giving chemotherapy before a donor natural killer cell infusion helps stop the growth of cancer cells and stops the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's natural killer cells. Modified natural killer cells may help the body build an immune response to kill cancer cells. Aldesleukin (interleukin-2) may stimulate the white blood cells (including natural killer cells) to kill leukemia cells. In the phase II and pediatric portion of the study, the investigators intend to use maximal tolerated or tested (MT/TD) CIML NK cell dose as determined from the phase I part of this study. The phase II portion of the study also replaces IL-2 with ALT-803. The rationale for this change is to support the donor derived NK cells in vivo after adoptive transfer. With amendment 16, the decision was made to return to the use of rhIL-2 support instead of ALT-803.