Study of Factors Regulating Mast Cell Proliferation

June 5, 2026 updated by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Regulation of the Proliferation and Survival of Normal and Neoplastic Human Mast Cells

This study will examine growth factors that promote and inhibit mast cell proliferation resulting in mastocytosis, a disease of excessive mast cells in the body. These cells can release chemicals that cause itching, blisters, flushing, bone pain and abdominal pain.

Patients up to 80 years of age with mastocytosis may be eligible for this 1-day study. Participants will have one visit at NIH lasting up to 8 hours, during which they will undergo the following tests and procedures:

  • Medical history and physical examination.
  • Laboratory studies, if medically indicated.
  • Blood tests to identify genetic changes important in the growth, development, and functioning of mast cells.
  • Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

For the bone marrow procedure, the skin over the hipbone and the outer surface of the bone itself are numbed with local anesthesia. Then, a special needle is inserted into the hipbone and about 1 tablespoon of bone marrow is drawn into a syringe. Another needle is inserted into the same area to collect a small piece of the bone marrow. Additional procedures may include allergen testing, urinalysis, and 24-hour urine collection.

Participants will receive an evaluation of their mastocytosis.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

This protocol is designed to examine those growth potentiating and inhibiting factors which regulate mast cell number and survival in patients with mastocytosis, and to explore the molecular basis of the disease process in hopes of improving therapy. Patients will carry the diagnosis of mastocytosis based on abnormal bone marrow biopsy and aspirate, abnormal skin biopsy, presence of urticaria pigmentosa, and if available, elevated serum tryptase level > 20 ng/ml and the presence of aberrant mast cell morphology and surface markers of CD2 and CD25. Mastocytosis patients will include children and adults from zero years to 80 years of age. Unaffected relatives (age 2 to 80 years) may also be enrolled. The protocol is designated for up to a 1-year enrollment period; with only a small number of enrolled patients that will stay on study for more than one visit, based on investigator assessment of contribution to study objectives. Participants will undergo standard physical exam, medical history review, and blood collection for clinical and research laboratory evaluations. We will collect clinical data and biological specimens for research evaluation from individuals undergoing clinically indicated diagnostic procedures. Some patients may participate in research evaluations including buccal swab collection, dietary intake assessment, stool collection, exercise challenge, microbiome studies, and activity tracking. These studies are optional. Patients may be asked to re-enter this protocol at a later time for further follow-up.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

600

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • Recruiting
        • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
        • Contact:
          • For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR)
          • Phone Number: TTY dial 711 800-411-1222
          • Email: ccopr@nih.gov

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 80 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

primary clinical

Description

  • PATIENT PARTICIPANT INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Participants with mastocytosis zero to 80 years of age may participate in telehealth visits, and two to 80 years of age may participate on-site at NIH Clinical Center.

Histologic evidence of increased mast cell number by bone marrow and/or skin biopsy or documentation of mastocytosis in the skin

supported with a photograph of diagnostic skin lesions

Must be under the care of a primary care physician to be enrolled.

Ability to provide informed consent.

PATIENT PARTICIPANT EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Anemia with hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL, hematocrit less than 24.

Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator contraindicates participation in this study.

RELATIVE INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Two to 80 years of age.

A biological relative without the diagnosis of mastocytosis by skin examination or histologic evidence in a skin or bone marrow biopsy

Participant has a primary medical care provider outside the NIH

Ability to provide informed consent.

RELATIVE EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator contraindicates participation in this study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Adult Relatives
Relatives of patient with mastocytosis
Adults with Mastocytosis
Adults with documented mastocytosis
Pediatric Patients with Mastocytosis
Pediatric patients with documented mastocytosis
Pediatric Relatives
Pediatric relatives of patients with mastocytosis

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To obtain normal and neoplastic human mast cells from the bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with mastocytosis in order to study the regulation of the proliferation and survival of these cells, and to assess the extent and classificati...
Time Frame: Patients return to NIH as necessary
continuing collection of cells from subjects with mastocytosis for ongoing experimentation in laboratory
Patients return to NIH as necessary

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Hirsh D Komarow, M.D., National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 18, 2002

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 17, 2002

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2002

First Posted (Estimated)

August 19, 2002

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 5, 2026

Last Verified

August 29, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 020277
  • 02-I-0277

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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