Genetically Modified T-cells in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Malignant Glioma

Phase I Study of Cellular ImmunoTx Using Memory Enriched T Cells Lentivirally Transduced to Express an IL13Rα2-Specific, Hinge-Optimized, 41BB-Costimulatory Chimeric Receptor and a Truncated CD19 for Pts With Rec/Ref MaligGlioma

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of genetically modified T-cell immunotherapy in treating patients with malignant glioma that has come back (recurrent) or has not responded to therapy (refractory). A T cell is a type of immune cell that can recognize and kill abnormal cells in the body. T cells are taken from the patient's blood and a modified gene is placed into them in the laboratory and this may help them recognize and kill glioma cells. Genetically modified T-cells may also help the body build an immune response against the tumor cells.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Recurrent Glioblastoma; Recurrent Malignant Glioma; Refractory Malignant Glioma; Recurrent WHO Grade III Glioma; Recurrent WHO Grade II Glioma; Refractory Glioblastoma; Refractory WHO Grade II Glioma; Refractory WHO Grade III Glioma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Biological: Arm 1: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Biological: Arm 2: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Biological: Arm 3: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Biological: Arm 4: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Biological: Arm 5: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tn/mem cells

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the feasibility and safety of cellular immunotherapy utilizing ex vivo expanded autologous memory-enriched T cells (Arms 1, 2, 3, or 4 = Tcm or Arm 5 = Tn/mem) that are genetically modified using a self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vector to express an interleukin 13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Ra2)-specific, hinge-optimized, 41BB-costimulatory chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), as well as a truncated CD19 (CD19t) for participants with recurrent/refractory malignant glioma in one of the following ways: (1) directly into the tumor (intratumoral), (2) into the tumor cavity (intracavitary), (3) into the lateral ventricles (intraventricular), or (4) into both the tumor/tumor cavity (intratumoral) and into the lateral ventricles (intraventricular) (dual delivery).

II. Determine maximum tolerated dose schedule (MTD)/maximum feasible dose schedule (MFD) and a recommended phase II dosing plan (RP2D) for each arm based on dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the full toxicity profile.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. In research participants who receive the full schedule of three CAR+ T cell doses:

• Estimate disease response rates,
• Estimate median overall survival, and
• Estimate the mean change from baseline in quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30 during and post treatment;

II. Describe cytokine levels (tumor cavity fluid, CSF, peripheral blood) over the study period.

III. Describe CAR T cell and endogenous immune populations (CSF, tumor cavity fluid, peripheral blood) over the study period; and IV. Identify tumor and tumor micro-environment markers associated with response to CAR T cells.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the timing and extent of brain inflammation following CAR T cell administration; II. Evaluate CAR T cell product characteristics; and

III. For research participants who undergo a second resection or autopsy:

• Evaluate CAR T cell persistence in the tumor micro-environment and the location of the CAR T cells with respect to the injection, and
• Evaluate IL13Rα2 antigen expression levels pre and post CAR T cell therapy.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Research subjects will receive an initial low dose (cycle 1) followed by 2 additional infusions at a higher cell dose (cycles 2 and 3) of autologous IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm or Tn/mem, potentially followed by additional cycles at up to the highest tolerated cell dose (cycles 4+). CAR T cells will be administered in one of four ways:

ARM 1: (Intratumoral delivery a/f biopsy): Patients receive IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm directly into the tumor via intratumoral (ICTb) catheter. Patients who progress on intratumoral administration may move to intraventricular catheter for the optional infusions.

ARM 2: (Intratumoral delivery a/f biopsy/Intracavitary a/f resection): Patients receive IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm directly into the tumor via intratumoral (ICTb) catheter, or into the tumor resection cavity via intracavitary (ICTr) catheter. Patients who progress on intratumoral/intracavitary administration may move to intraventricular catheter for the optional infusions.

ARM 3: (Intraventricular delivery): Patients receive IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm via intraventricular (ICV) catheter.

ARM 4: (Dual delivery): Patients receive IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm via ICTb/r catheter and ICV catheter. Based on clinical response after the first 3 infusions, the study principal investigator may decide to continue with the optional infusions at either one or both sites (instead of requiring injections at both sites).

ARM 5: (Dual delivery): Patients receive IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tn/mem via ICTb/r catheter and ICV catheter. Based on clinical response after the first 3 infusions, the study principal investigator may decide to continue with the optional infusions at either one or both sites (instead of requiring injections at both sites).

CAR T cells will be administered at one of three dose schedules:

• Dose Schedule 1: Cycle 1 - 2x106 CAR T cells, Cycle 2 & 3 - 10x106 CAR T cells, Total dose - 22x106 CAR T cells; Optional cycles ≤10x106 CAR T cells
• Dose Schedule 2: Cycle 1 - 10x106 CAR T cells, Cycle 2 & 3 - 50x106 CAR T cells, Total dose - 110x106 CAR T cells; Optional cycles ≤50x106 CAR T cells
• Dose Schedule 3: Cycle 1 - 20x106 CAR T cells, Cycle 2 & 3 - 100x106 CAR T cells, Total dose - 220x106 CAR T cells; Optional cycles ≤100x106 CAR T cells

After completion of the study treatment, patients are followed up at 4 weeks, 3, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months, and then yearly for 15 years.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 65
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Duarte, California, United States, 91010
      • City of Hope Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 12 years to 75 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• SCREENING INCLUSION CRITERIA
• Participant has a prior histologically-confirmed diagnosis of a grade III or IV glioma, or has a prior histologically-confirmed diagnosis of a grade II glioma and now has radiographic progression consistent with a grade III or IV malignant glioma (MG) after completing standard therapy
• Radiographic evidence of progression/recurrence of the measurable disease more than 12 weeks after the end of the initial radiation therapy
• Karnofsky performance status (KPS) >= 60%
• Life expectancy > 4 weeks
• Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control or abstinence) prior to study entry and for six months following duration of study participation; should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is pregnant while participating on the trial, she should inform her treating physician immediately
• City of Hope (COH) Clinical Pathology confirms IL13R alpha 2+ tumor expression by immunohistochemistry (>= 20%, 1+)
• All research participants must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent
• ELIGIBILITY TO PROCEED WITH PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELL (PBMC) COLLECTION
• Research participant must not require more than 2 mg three times daily (TID) of dexamethasone on the day of PBMC collection.
• Research participant must have appropriate venous access
• At least 2 weeks must have elapsed since the research participant received his/her last dose of prior chemotherapy or radiation
• ELIGIBILITY TO PROCEED WITH RICKHAM PLACEMENT
• Creatinine < 1.6 mg/dL
• White blood cell (WBC) > 2,000/dl or
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1,000
• Platelets >= 100,000/dl
• International normalized ratio (INR) < 1.3
• Bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dL
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) < 2.5 x upper limits of normal
• An interval of at least 12 weeks must have elapsed since the completion of initial radiation therapy

• Wash-out requirements (standard or investigational):

  • At least 6 weeks since the completion of a nitrosourea-containing chemotherapy regimen
  • At least 23 days since the completion of Temodar and/or 4 weeks for any other non-nitrosourea-containing cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen; if a patient's most recent treatment was with a targeted agent only, and s/he has recovered from any toxicity of this targeted agent, then a waiting period of only 2 weeks is needed from the last dose and the start of study treatment, with the exception of bevacizumab where a wash out period of at least 4 weeks is required before starting study treatment
• ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLMENT AND TO PROCEED WITH CAR T CELL INFUSION
• Research participant has a released cryopreserved T cell product
• Research participant does not require supplemental oxygen to keep saturation greater than 95% and/or does not have presence of any radiographic abnormalities on chest x-ray that are progressive
• Research participant does not require pressor support and/or does not have symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias
• Research participant does not have a fever exceeding 38.5° Celsius (C); there is an absence of positive blood cultures for bacteria, fungus, or virus within 48-hours prior to T cell infusion and/or there aren't any indications of meningitis
• Research participant serum total bilirubin does not exceed 2 x normal limit
• Research participant transaminases does not exceed 2 x normal limit
• Research participant serum creatinine =< 1.8 mg/dL
• Research participant does not have uncontrolled seizure activity following surgery prior to starting the first T cell dose
• Research participant platelet count must be >= 100,000; however, if platelet level is between 75,000-99,000, then T-cell infusion may proceed after platelet transfusion is given and the post transfusion platelet count is >= 100,000
• Research participants must not require more than 2 mg TID of dexamethasone during T cell therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• SCREENING EXCLUSION CRITERIA
• Research participant requires supplemental oxygen to keep saturation greater than 95% and the situation is not expected to resolve within 2 weeks
• Research participant requires pressor support and/or has symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias
• Research participant requires dialysis
• Research participant has uncontrolled seizure activity and/or clinically evident progressive encephalopathy
• Failure of research participant to understand the basic elements of the protocol and/or the risks/benefits of participating in this phase I study; a legal guardian may substitute for the research participant
• Research participants with any non-malignant intercurrent illness which is either poorly controlled with currently available treatment, or which is of such severity that the investigators deem it unwise to enter the research participant on protocol shall be ineligible
• Research participants with any other active malignancies
• Research participants being treated for severe infection or who are recovering from major surgery are ineligible until recovery is deemed complete by the investigator
• Research participants with any uncontrolled illness including ongoing or active infection; research participants with known active hepatitis B or C infection; research participants with any signs or symptoms of active infection, positive blood cultures or radiological evidence of infections
• Research participants who have confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) within 4 weeks of screening

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm 1 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, Intratumoral a/f biopsy [ICTb]); Arm 1 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, Intratumoral a/f biopsy [ICTb]	Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Correlative studies; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Ancillary studies; Other Names: Quality of Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: 1H- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; MRS; MRS Imaging; MRSI; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI Imaging; Biological: Arm 1: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Given via intratumoral catheter; Other Names: Autologous IL13(EQ)BBzeta/CD19t+ Tcm-enriched T Cells; IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm
Experimental: Arm 2 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, ICTb/r); Arm 2 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, Intratumoral a/f biopsy [ICTb] or Intracavitary a/f resection [ICTr])	Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Correlative studies; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Ancillary studies; Other Names: Quality of Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: 1H- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; MRS; MRS Imaging; MRSI; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI Imaging; Biological: Arm 2: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Given via intratumoral/intracavitary catheter; Other Names: Autologous IL13(EQ)BBzeta/CD19t+ Tcm-enriched T Cells; IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm
Experimental: Arm 3 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, Intraventricular [ICV])	Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Correlative studies; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Ancillary studies; Other Names: Quality of Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: 1H- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; MRS; MRS Imaging; MRSI; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI Imaging; Biological: Arm 3: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Given via intraventricular catheter; Other Names: Autologous IL13(EQ)BBzeta/CD19t+ Tcm-enriched T Cells; IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm
Experimental: Arm 4 (Tcm-derived CAR T cells, Dual delivery: both ICTb/r AND ICV)	Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Correlative studies; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Ancillary studies; Other Names: Quality of Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: 1H- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; MRS; MRS Imaging; MRSI; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI Imaging; Biological: Arm 4: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tcm cells; Given via intratumoral or intracavitary, and via intraventricular catheter; Other Names: Autologous IL13(EQ)BBzeta/CD19t+ Tcm-enriched T Cells; IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tcm
Experimental: Arm 5 (Tn/mem-derived CAR T cells, Dual delivery: both ICTb/r AND ICV)	Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Correlative studies; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Ancillary studies; Other Names: Quality of Life Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: 1H- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; MRS; MRS Imaging; MRSI; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Correlative studies; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI Imaging; Biological: Arm 5: IL13Ra2-specific CAR Tn/mem cells; Given via intratumoral or intracavitary, and via intraventricular catheter; Other Names: Autologous IL13(EQ)BBzeta/CD19t+ Tn/mem-enriched T Cells; IL13Ra2-CAR/CD19t+ Tn/mem

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Grade 3 or Higher Toxicity Related to CAR T Cells	Grade 3 or higher toxicity profile for adverse events probably or definitely related to CAR T cells as assessed by the NCI CTCAE version 4.0.	An average of 11 months
Number of Participants Experiencing a Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT)	Toxicities will be graded using NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. A DLT is defined as events attributable to T-cell infusion (probable or definite) with a few expected events that resolve within a specified time and occurring from the time of initial CAR T cell infusion through 1 week following the last infusion cycle (not including optional cycles) unless otherwise specified in this definition: Two grade 3 toxicities at the same dose with the exception of those grade 3 toxicities listed below.; Any grade 3 Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) toxicity lasting more than 72 hours without intervention; Any grade 3 or higher allergic reaction; Any grade 3 or higher autoimmune reaction; Any grade 4 toxicity	Up to 1 week following the last course, up to a total of 4 weeks (not including optional courses 4-6)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Active Response Determined by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) Criteria	Counts of active response and progression determined by RANO. Participants achieving stable disease (SD), partial remission (PR), or complete remission (CR) are counted as active. RANO: Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all enhancing disease sustained for 4 weeks, stable or improved FLAIR/T2 lesions, no new lesions, off corticosteroids and neurologically stable or improved. Partial Response (PR): At least a 50% decrease of all measurable enhancing lesions sustained for 4 weeks, no progression of non-measurable disease, stable or improved FLAIR/T2 lesions, no new lesions, corticosteroids dose stable or reduced and neurologically stable or improved. Stable Disease (SD): Does not qualify for CR, PR or PD, stable FLAIR/T2 lesions, stable or reduced corticosteroids, clinically stable Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 25% increase in enhancing lesions despite stable or increasing steroid dose, increase in FLAIR/T2 lesions, any new lesions, clinical deteriorations.	Between 4 and 8 weeks post 1st CAR T infusion
Number of Participants Alive at 6 Months	Participants were assessed for vital status up to 6 months post surgery.	From surgery to death from any cause or six months, whichever occurred first

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI); Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Behnam Badie, City of Hope Medical Center

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Brown CE, Alizadeh D, Starr R, Weng L, Wagner JR, Naranjo A, Ostberg JR, Blanchard MS, Kilpatrick J, Simpson J, Kurien A, Priceman SJ, Wang X, Harshbarger TL, D'Apuzzo M, Ressler JA, Jensen MC, Barish ME, Chen M, Portnow J, Forman SJ, Badie B. Regression of Glioblastoma after Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy. N Engl J Med. 2016 Dec 29;375(26):2561-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1610497.
• Brown CE, Hibbard JC, Alizadeh D, Blanchard MS, Natri HM, Wang D, Ostberg JR, Aguilar B, Wagner JR, Paul JA, Starr R, Wong RA, Chen W, Shulkin N, Aftabizadeh M, Filippov A, Chaudhry A, Ressler JA, Kilpatrick J, Myers-McNamara P, Chen M, Wang LD, Rockne RC, Georges J, Portnow J, Barish ME, D'Apuzzo M, Banovich NE, Forman SJ, Badie B. Locoregional delivery of IL-13Ralpha2-targeting CAR-T cells in recurrent high-grade glioma: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med. 2024 Apr;30(4):1001-1012. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-02875-1. Epub 2024 Mar 7.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 18, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 8, 2021
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 8, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 1, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 1, 2014
• First Posted (Estimated): August 5, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 18, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Astrocytoma; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Investigative Techniques; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Spectrum Analysis; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 13384 (Other Identifier: City of Hope Medical Center); P30CA033572 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); NCI-2014-01488 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program)); R01FD005129 (U.S. FDA Grant/Contract)