Phase I/II Thymus Transplantation With Immunosuppression #950 (#950)

March 23, 2022 updated by: Enzyvant Therapeutics GmBH

Phase I/II Trial of Thymus Transplantation With Immunosuppression, #950

The study purpose is to determine if cultured thymus tissue implantation (CTTI) (previously described as transplantation) with tailored immunosuppression based on the recipient's pre-implantation T cell population is a safe and effective treatment for complete DiGeorge anomaly. This study will also evaluate whether cultured thymus tissue implantation and parathyroid transplantation with immunosuppression is a safe and effective treatment for complete DiGeorge anomaly and hypoparathyroidism.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Complete DiGeorge anomaly is a congenital disorder characterized by athymia. Without successful treatment, children remain immunodeficient and usually die by age 2 years. In infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly and no T cells, cultured thymus tissue implantation (CTTI) without immunosuppression resulted in diverse T cell development and good T cell function. Some infants with no thymus have some T cells that presumably developed extrathymically; these T cells can reject a thymus graft.

The purpose of this study is to tailor immunosuppression use for complete DiGeorge anomaly subjects who have some T cells and different T cell function levels. This protocol includes tailored immunosuppression regimens to allow subjects with different T cell function levels to be suppressed adequately.

Patients with complete DiGeorge often have hypoparathyroidism, a life threatening condition. Successful CTTI does not result in improvement of the hypoparathyroidism. The patients must go to the clinic for frequent calcium levels and to the hospital for calcium infusions. These infants are at risk for seizures from low calcium. This study had a parental parathyroid transplant arm for subjects with hypoparathyroidism who require calcium replacement.

Whether or not a subject was enrolled in the parathyroid arm, the immunosuppression regimen the subject received was dependent on the immune findings as stated in the clinical protocol.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

14

Phase

  • Phase 2
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

    • North Carolina
      • Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
        • Duke University Medical Center

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

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Thymus Transplantation Inclusion:

  • Must have 1 of following: 22q11 or 10p13 hemizygosity; hypocalcemia requiring replacement; congenital heart defect; CHARGE association or CHD7 mutation; or abnormal ears plus mother w/diabetes (type I, type II, gestational).
  • <50 CD3+ T cells/cumm or <50 CD3+ T cells/cumm that are CD62L+ CD45RA+ (cluster of differentiation 45RA) (naïve phenotype), or <5% of CD3+ count being CD62L+ CD45RA+

Atypical DiGeorge:

  • Must have, or have had, a rash. If rash present, rash biopsy must show T cells in skin. If rash & adenopathy resolved, must have >50/cumm T cells & naive T cell must be <50/cumm or <5% of T cells.

Typical DiGeorge:

  • CD3+ CD45RA+ CD62L+ T cells <50/mm3 or <5% of total T cells

Parathyroid Transplantation Additional Inclusion:

  • 2 studies in recipient which PTH<5 pg/ml when ionized calcium <1.1 mmol/L. Can be done anytime pre-tx; 1 must be done while at Duke Hospital.
  • Parent(s) willing & eligible to be donors

Thymus Transplantation Exclusion:

  • Heart surgery <4 wks pre-tx
  • Heart surgery anticipated w/in 3 months after proposed tx
  • Rejection by surgeon or anesthesiologist as surgical candidate
  • Lack of sufficient muscle tissue to accept transplant of 4 grams/m2 BSA
  • HIV infection
  • Prior attempts at immune reconstitution, such as bone marrow tx or previous thymus tx
  • CMV(>500 copies/ml blood by PCR on 2 tests)
  • Ventilator dependence

Parathyroid Donor Inclusion:

  • >18 years of age
  • Serum calcium in normal range
  • Normal PTH function
  • HLA typing consistent with parentage
  • Not on anticoagulation or can come off
  • Parent chosen will share HLA-DR allele with thymus donor that was not inherited by the recipient. If no HLA matching at all, then either parent is acceptable if the parent meets other criteria.

Parathyroid Donor Exclusion:

  • <18 years old
  • Hypoparathyroidism-low PTH in presence of low serum calcium & high serum phosphate
  • Hyperparathyroidism(or history)-elevated PTH in presence of high serum calcium and low serum phosphate.
  • History of cancer
  • Donor only living involved parent/guardian of recipient
  • Evidence of HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-1, HTLV-2, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, West Nile virus, or Chagas disease
  • Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD)
  • Elevated liver function studies: AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase >3x upper normal limit
  • Receipt of xenograft or risk factors for SARS, CJD and/or smallpox exposure. {If CJD risk factors but not active disease, parent may give permission for parathyroid use.}
  • Urine CMV positive
  • Positive CMV IgM
  • Positive IgM anti-EBV VCA
  • On blood thinners and cannot stop for parathyroid donation
  • Elevated PT or PTT (>ULN)
  • Platelets<100,000
  • Positive Toxoplasma IgM
  • Donor will receive a history and physical; may be excluded based on PI's medical judgment.
  • Hemoglobin <9g/dl
  • Infectious head or neck lesion
  • Goiter on ultrasound
  • Abnormal fiberoptic laryngoscopy of vocal cords
  • HLA inconsistent with parentage
  • Pregnancy
  • Positive HSV IgG isn't exclusion; post-tx prophylaxis needed for recipient if donor is HSV IgG+.
  • Positive VZV IgG isn't exclusion; post-tx prophylaxis needed if donor is VZV IgG+.
  • Medical concern of independent otolaryngologist.
  • Concern by medical psychologist/social worker that potential donor isn't competent or does not understand risks.
  • Questionnaire responses can lead to exclusion.

Mother of DiGeorge Inclusion:

• Provides consent to use blood/buccal sample. No exclusions except unwillingness to consent; or, provide blood/buccal sample.

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cultured Thymus Tissue Implantation (CTTI) w/immunosuppression
Patients with complete DiGeorge Anomaly (cDGA) undergo cultured thymus tissue implantation (previously described as transplantation) with tailored immunosuppression based on the subject's pre-implantation T cell numbers and function.
Potential thymus recipient subjects are screened for eligibility. Thymus donor (unrelated donor), and thymus donor's birth mother are screened for safety. CTTI is done under general anesthesia in the operating room. Cultured thymus tissue is implanted into the subject's quadriceps. Two to three months post CTTI, if medically stable, the subject undergoes allograft biopsy. At the time of implantation and biopsy, a skin biopsy is done. Immunosuppression is weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • Thymus Tissue Transplant
  • CTTI
Birth mothers of Thymus Recipients are asked to participate in the study and undergo phlebotomy to allow testing of T cell identity in the Complete DiGeorge subjects. If blood is not obtainable then a buccal swab may be done.
Other Names:
  • Venipuncture
Three doses of 2 mg/kg IV (through a central venous catheter) prior to CTTI. Each dose of Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATGAM) is given over 12 hours. RATGAM is usually given on days-5, -4, and -3 prior to CTTI or CTTI and parathyroid transplantation. Medications (diphenhydramine, steroids, and acetaminophen) are given with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin.
Other Names:
  • thymoglobulin
  • RATGAM

In addition to RATGAM, subjects with typical cDGA with PHA responses >50,000 cpm, or atypical cDGA with PHA response <75,000cpm (when not on immunosuppression) or <40,000 cpm to PHA while on immunosuppression, are started on cyclosporine (Csa) as soon as cDGA is diagnosed. Csa is continued with target trough levels of 180 to 220 ng/ml. If subject cannot tolerate Csa, Csa may be changed to tacrolimus (FK506) with target trough level 7 to 10 ng/ml. When trough levels are outside of range, dosing is modified appropriately.

Csa may be given every 8 to 12 hours enterally or IV before and after CTTI. The Csa dose is dependent on T cell numbers and the target Csa trough levels. Csa is weaned as per protocol.

Other Names:
  • Csa
If unable to tolerate cyclosporine, then tacrolimus is given. Tacrolimus may be given every 8 to 12 hours enterally or IV before and after the CTTI transplant. Tacrolimus dose is dependent on the T cell numbers and the target tacrolimus trough levels. Tacrolimus is weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • FK506
Steroids IV or enterally may be given before and after CTTI or CTTI and parathyroid transplantation. Administration and dosage depends on T cell numbers and symptoms. Pre-transplant steroids may be used when pre-transplant T cells >4,000cumm. Steroids are weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • Steroids
In addition, subjects with Atypical DiGeorge with PHA responses >75,000cpm while on no immunosuppression or PHA responses >40,000cpm while on immunosuppression, Daclizumab 1 mg/kg single dose IV may be given depending on T cell counts. Administration of Daclizumab depends on T cell numbers and T cell activation. A single dose may be given after the administration of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin and before CTTI. If Daclizumab is not given before CTTI, and, depending on the T cell numbers and T cell activation, a single dose of Daclizumab may be given 3-5 days after CTTI.
Other Names:
  • Zenapax
In addition, subjects with Atypical DiGeorge with PHA responses >75,000cpm while on no immunosuppression or PHA responses >40,000cpm while on immunosuppression, Mycophenolate mofetil 15 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours IV or enterally may be given depending on T cell counts. Mycophenolate mofetil may be given if the T cell count remains elevated 5 days after CTTI. If MMF is given, the dose is 15 mg/kg IV. MMF may be stopped at 35 days after CTTI or continued for up to six months after CTTI.
Other Names:
  • CellCept
  • MMF
Experimental: CTTI with Parathyroid Transplantation w/immunosuppression
Patients with complete DiGeorge Anomaly (cDGA) undergoes cultured thymus tissue thymus implantation (previously described as transplantation) with tailored immunosuppression based on the subject's pre-implantation T cell numbers and function. If the patient has hypoparathyroidism, and is eligible, the patient may also receive a parathyroid transplant.
Birth mothers of Thymus Recipients are asked to participate in the study and undergo phlebotomy to allow testing of T cell identity in the Complete DiGeorge subjects. If blood is not obtainable then a buccal swab may be done.
Other Names:
  • Venipuncture
Three doses of 2 mg/kg IV (through a central venous catheter) prior to CTTI. Each dose of Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATGAM) is given over 12 hours. RATGAM is usually given on days-5, -4, and -3 prior to CTTI or CTTI and parathyroid transplantation. Medications (diphenhydramine, steroids, and acetaminophen) are given with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin.
Other Names:
  • thymoglobulin
  • RATGAM

In addition to RATGAM, subjects with typical cDGA with PHA responses >50,000 cpm, or atypical cDGA with PHA response <75,000cpm (when not on immunosuppression) or <40,000 cpm to PHA while on immunosuppression, are started on cyclosporine (Csa) as soon as cDGA is diagnosed. Csa is continued with target trough levels of 180 to 220 ng/ml. If subject cannot tolerate Csa, Csa may be changed to tacrolimus (FK506) with target trough level 7 to 10 ng/ml. When trough levels are outside of range, dosing is modified appropriately.

Csa may be given every 8 to 12 hours enterally or IV before and after CTTI. The Csa dose is dependent on T cell numbers and the target Csa trough levels. Csa is weaned as per protocol.

Other Names:
  • Csa
If unable to tolerate cyclosporine, then tacrolimus is given. Tacrolimus may be given every 8 to 12 hours enterally or IV before and after the CTTI transplant. Tacrolimus dose is dependent on the T cell numbers and the target tacrolimus trough levels. Tacrolimus is weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • FK506
Steroids IV or enterally may be given before and after CTTI or CTTI and parathyroid transplantation. Administration and dosage depends on T cell numbers and symptoms. Pre-transplant steroids may be used when pre-transplant T cells >4,000cumm. Steroids are weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • Steroids
For subjects w/ hypoparathyroidism, the subject may receive CTTI and parathyroid transplant. For parathyroid transplant, parental parathyroid donors are screened. Parathyroid is harvested from the parent who shares the most Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) alleles with the thymus donor. Parathyroid gland is minced and placed in quadriceps muscle; there is no dose. Parathyroid donors are monitored as outpatients until recipients' discharge. Recipients' calcium and PTH levels are monitored indefinitely. Potential thymus recipient subjects are screened for eligibility. Thymus donor (unrelated donor), and thymus donor's birth mother are screened for safety. CTTI is done under general anesthesia in the operating room. Cultured thymus tissue is implanted into the subject's quadriceps. Two to three months post CTTI, if medically stable, the subject undergoes allograft biopsy. At the time of CTTI and biopsy, a skin biopsy is done. Immunosuppression is weaned as per protocol.
Other Names:
  • Thymus and Parathyroid Transplant
  • CTTI and Parathyroid Transplant

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Survival at 1 Year Post-CTTI
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
Survival at 1 year post cultured thymus tissue implantation was assessed using the Kaplan Meier Estimated Survival. This mathematical function estimates the survival for a certain length of time.
1 year post-CTTI

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Survival at 2 Years Post-CTTI
Time Frame: 2 years post-CTTI
Survival at 2 years post cultured thymus tissue implantation was assessed using the Kaplan Meier Estimated Survival. This mathematical function estimates the survival for a certain length of time.
2 years post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Total CD3 T Cells
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
The development of total CD3 T cells at one year as measured using flow cytometry
1 year post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Total CD4 T Cells
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
The development of total CD4 T cells at one year as measured using flow cytometry
1 year post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Total CD8 T Cells
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
The development of total CD8 T cells at one year as measured using flow cytometry
1 year post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Naive CD4 T Cells
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
The development of total naive CD4 T cells at one year as measured using flow cytometry
1 year post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Naive CD8 T Cells
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
The development of total naive CD8 T cells at one year as measured using flow cytometry
1 year post-CTTI
Immune Reconstitution Efficacy - Response to Mitogens
Time Frame: 1 year post-CTTI
Measurement of the T cell proliferative response to the mitogen phytohemagglutin (PHA).
1 year post-CTTI
Thymus Allograft Biopsy
Time Frame: 2 to 3 months post-CTTI
Evidence, on biopsy of the thymus tissue implanted in muscle, that shows the development of new T cells.
2 to 3 months post-CTTI

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: M. Louise Markert, MD, PhD, Duke University Medical Center, Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunology

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

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)

December 19, 2005

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

December 31, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 20, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 20, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

December 24, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 23, 2022

Last Verified

March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Pro00011583
  • R01AI047040 (NIH)
  • R01AI054843 (NIH)
  • R56 Bridge R01AI4704011A1 (OTHER_GRANT: [NIH American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009])
  • 2R01AI047040-11A2 (NIH)
  • 5K12HD043494-09 (NIH)
  • 950 (Duke)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

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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