Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Using Exablate Magnetic Resonance-Guided Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound With Microbubbles in Combination With T-Cell Infusion in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Midline Glioma (LIFT) (LIFT)

A Safety and Feasibility Study to Evaluate Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Using Exablate MR-Guided Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound With Microbubbles in Combination With Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma (PRAME), Survivin, and Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1)-Targeting Tumor Associated Antigen-specific T-Cell Infusion in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Midline Glioma (LIFT)

This is an open-label phase 1 safety and feasibility study evaluating a novel combination therapy for Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an aggressive brain tumor with a very poor prognosis - an average one-year overall survival. This study combines blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption (BBBD) using low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) and microbubble treatment, and intravenous infusion of autologous, tumor multi-antigen associated specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (TAA-T) therapy. The TAA-T cell investigational product in this protocol is manufactured to target Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma (PRAME), Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1), and survivin.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma; Pontine Diffuse Midline Glioma; Thalamic Diffuse Midline Glioma
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: TAA-T Cell; Device: BBB Disruption

Detailed Description

This is an open-label phase 1 safety and feasibility study evaluating a novel combination therapy for Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), studying blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) which is accomplished by utilizing the Exablate 4000 Type 2 system consisting of low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) paired with microbubbles. The term "microbubbles" refers specifically to DEFINITY® (perflutren lipid microsphere), an FDA-approved ultrasound contrast agent. In this study, however, DEFINITY® is being used as a mechanical resonator, and is investigational in this context. BBBD will be combined with TAA-T cell infusion and this combination is being referred to as "LIFT therapy". Each LIFT treatment consists of the LIFU-mediated BBBD procedure followed by TAA-T infusion, administered intravenously 30 minutes to 4 hours post BBBD on Day 0, with a strong preference for infusion as early as feasible within this window. Following each LIFT treatment, participants will undergo a safety monitoring period for a minimum of 28 days to a maximum of 70 days. Each LIFT treatment together with its respective safety monitoring period constitutes one cycle. The total duration of protocol therapy will include up to three cycles, depending on the number of TAA-T cells available and the participant's clinical status.

By opening the BBB, the investigators aim to increase the infiltration of the TAA-T cells into the tumor, and by leveraging the effects of FUS, also to modify the tumor immune-microenvironment to become more favorable to immune infiltration. LIFT therapy presents a novel opportunity to not only enhance T-cell delivery but potentially enhance the immune response. Correlative biological studies will measure anti-tumor immunologic effects and will also assess potential biomarkers.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 45
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Fahmida Hoq, MBBS; Phone Number: 202-476-3634; Email: FHoq@childrensnational.org
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Luca Szalontay, MD; Phone Number: 202-476-1725; Email: LSZALONTAY@childrensnational.org

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria for Screening and Procurement:

• Age ≥ 3 and ≤ 25 years

• Diagnosis of pontine or thalamic DMG

  • Group A: newly diagnosed pontine DMG after completion of standard radiation therapy; radiographic diagnosis is defined as tumors with a pontine epicenter and diffuse intrinsic involvement of the pons - tissue diagnosis is not required
  • Group B: newly diagnosed thalamic DMG after completion of standard radiation therapy; tissue diagnosis is required NOTE: Tumor extending outside of the pons or the thalamus can remain eligible if the LIFU treatment is not contraindicated based on the neurosurgeon's assessment and the tumor does not meet any of the exclusion criteria below
• The first procurement blood draw must occur between 4 and 14 weeks after completion of radiation therapy for Group A, and between 4 and 22 weeks after completion of radiation therapy for Group B
• Lansky/Karnofsky rating ≥ 60 (participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for purposes of assessing performance status)
• Head circumference ≥ 49 cm

• Organ function:

  • Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL, unsupported
  • Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥750/μL
  • Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) >500/μL
  • Platelets ≥75K, unsupported
  • Total Bilirubin ≤3x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • AST/ALT ≤5x ULN
  • Serum creatinine ≤1.0 mg/dL or ≤1.5x ULN for age (whichever is higher)
  • Pulse oximetry >90% on room air
• If the participant is on corticosteroids, the dose must be stable or decreasing for at least 7 days prior to procurement, and the treating investigator must anticipate that steroids can be weaned to ≤ 0.4 mg/m2/day of dexamethasone or equivalent by the start of the first LIFT protocol therapy cycle
• Deemed to be of sufficient size (≥10 kg) to provide the necessary blood volume for TAA-T generation with no contra-indications to research blood draw, as determined by the treating PI/Sub-I
• Adult participant or LAR of minor participant demonstrates willingness to have intracerebroventricular access device placed prior to initiation of LIFT protocol therapy, if a suitable Rickham, Ommaya, or accessible VP shunt is not already in place at study entry
• For females of childbearing potential (FOCBP): negative pregnancy test within 7 days prior to procurement (urine or serum)
• Adult participant or LAR of minor participant capable of providing informed consent. When appropriate, pediatric participants ≥7 years of age will participate in an age-appropriate discussion and provide assent, unless an IRB-approved waiver of assent applies and documentation of the participant's eligibility for the waiver is maintained

Inclusion Criteria for BBBD Procedure and TAA-T Infusion:

• Lansky/Karnofsky rating ≥ 60 (participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for purposes of assessing performance status)
• Group A: must have their initial planned LIFU and TAA-T infusion within 20 weeks from completion of radiation therapy; Group B: must have their initial planned LIFU and TAA-T infusion within 28 weeks from completion of radiation therapy
• For participant with a history of prior intracranial surgery, at least 14 days must have elapsed since surgery and the participant must have fully recovered from acute surgical effects
• For participant with a history of bevacizumab (Avastin) exposure, at least 28 days must have elapsed since the last dose
• If on steroids, stable or decreasing dose ≤ 0.4 mg/m2/day of dexamethasone or equivalent on the date of eligibility confirmation for LIFT treatment
• Stable or improving neurological status for ≥14 days prior to the date of eligibility confirmation for the first LIFU and TAA-T infusion, and for ≥7 days prior to the date of eligibility confirmation for subsequent cycles
• Intracerebroventricular access device (such as an Ommaya or Rickham reservoir and catheter) or VP shunt present, and in a location that does not interfere with Exablate BBBD procedure

• Organ function:

  • Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL, unsupported
  • Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥750/μL
  • Platelets ≥75K, unsupported
  • Normal coagulation studies: PT (<14 sec) or PTT (<36 sec), and INR (<1.2)
  • Total Bilirubin ≤3x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • AST/ALT ≤5x ULN
  • Serum creatinine ≤1.0mg/dL or ≤1.5x ULN for age (whichever is higher)
  • Pulse oximetry >90% on room air
• For FOCBP: negative pregnancy test (urine or serum)
• Agree to use contraceptive measures for at least 6 months following final TAA-T infusion (when age appropriate)
• Suitability for prolonged anesthesia for LIFU procedure, in the opinion of treating PI or qualified Sub-I
• Agree to a brief course of steroids or bevacizumab or anti-cytokine agent/s if the treating investigator deems it clinically necessary in the context of clinical deterioration that may be attributed to the LIFT protocol therapy
• Adult participant or LAR of a minor participant capable of providing informed consent. When appropriate, pediatric participants ≥7 years of age will participate in an age-appropriate discussion and provide assent, unless an IRB-approved waiver of assent applies and documentation of the participant's eligibility for the waiver is maintained
• Adult participant or LAR of a minor participant must attest to the participant's ability to remain in close geographic proximity to CNH (within 60-mile radius) for the initial dose limiting toxicity (DLT) monitoring period, and for the first 14 days after each subsequent infusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria for Screening and Procurement:

• Tumor not visible on any pre-LIFT therapy imaging
• Previous participation in other conventional or investigational chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy, or immunotherapy (Exceptions: Temozolomide during radiation in Group B patients is allowed; Bevacizumab use is allowed)
• Disseminated disease
• Primary disease in the spinal cord
• Clinical or radiologic evidence of increased intracranial pressure
• For a participant with a ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt or similar device: presence of a device that, in the judgment of the institutional neurosurgeon (based on a technical evaluation of the screening non-contrast CT imaging and Exablate system target mapping), would interfere with safe delivery of the Exablate BBBD procedure
• Previous or current uncontrolled infection/s
• Known HIV infection
• Pregnant or lactating females
• Prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation (patients who have received autologous stem cell infusions will remain eligible)
• Unable to fit comfortably into the MRI scanner (generally greater than 114 kg)
• History of a bleeding disorder or clinically significant coagulopathy at treating PI/Sub-I's discretion
• Cerebral or systemic vasculopathy, including intracranial thrombosis, vascular malformation, cerebral aneurysm, or vasculitis
• Known hypersensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents that, in the judgment of the PI or Sub-I in consultation with Radiology, is not expected to be safely mitigated with standard premedication and supportive care measures
• Known hypersensitivity to DEFINITY®, or its components (e.g., polyethylene glycol), or to other perflutren microsphere agent/s
• History of severe allergy or hypersensitivity to a study product excipient (e.g., DMSO) that, in the judgment of the PI or Sub-I, cannot be adequately managed with standard supportive measures and would pose an unacceptable risk to the participant

• Cardiac disease, anomalies, or unstable hemodynamics

  • Left ventricular ejection fraction below the lower limit of normal, as defined by age per institutional standards
  • History of a hemodynamically unstable cardiac arrhythmia

• The planned sonication pathway to the tumor involves:

  • More than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway is covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp
  • Clips, or other non-MRI compatible metallic implanted objects in the skull or the brain, except for shunts

• "Overly bulky tumor", defined as follows:

  • Group A: tumor >5 cm in a single maximal dimension, or clinically significant swallowing dysfunction/dysphagia or prominent medullary dysfunction as determined by the clinical investigator;
  • Group B: tumor >6 cm in a single maximal dimension, or tumor causing uncal herniation

• Tumor presenting with the following imaging characteristics:

  • Edema and/or mass effect that causes hydrocephalus
  • Necrosis within the tumor and the neurosurgeon cannot ensure that all areas of necrosis within the ultrasound sonication beam path can be avoided
  • Evidence of a significant new hemorrhage following radiation therapy. Area of microhemorrhage (defined as less than 5 mm in diameter) in the treatment area can be acceptable but requires the review of the neurosurgeon

Exclusion Criteria for BBBD Procedure and TAA-T Infusion:

• Tumor not visible on most recent pre-LIFT therapy imaging
• Previous participation in other conventional or investigational chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. (Exceptions: Temozolomide during radiation in Group B patients is allowed; Bevacizumab use is allowed)
• Disseminated disease
• Clinical and radiographic evidence of increased intracranial pressure
• For a participant with a ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt or similar device: presence of a device that, in the judgment of the institutional neurosurgeon (based on a technical evaluation of the screening non-contrast CT imaging and Exablate system target mapping), would interfere with safe delivery of the Exablate BBBD procedure

• "Overly bulky tumor", defined as follows:

  • Group A: tumor >5 cm in a single maximal dimension, or clinically significant swallowing dysfunction/dysphagia or prominent medullary dysfunction as determined by the clinical investigator;
  • Group B: tumor >6 cm in a single maximal dimension, or tumor causing uncal herniation
• Tumor presenting with the following imaging characteristics:
• Edema and/or mass effect that causes hydrocephalus.
• Necrosis within the tumor and the neurosurgeon cannot ensure that all areas of necrosis within the ultrasound sonication beam path can be avoided
• Evidence of a significant new hemorrhage following radiation therapy. Area of microhemorrhage (defined as less than 5 mm in diameter) in the treatment area can be acceptable but requires the review of the neurosurgeon
• Containing calcifications in the focused ultrasound sonication beam path and system tools cannot tailor the treatment around these calcification spots.
• Confirmed radiographic progressive disease (for subsequent cycles, participants with pseudoprogression may continue to be eligible if they demonstrate radiographic stability relative to prior indeterminate scan)
• The sonication pathway to the tumor involves:
• More than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway is covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp
• Clips, or other non-MRI compatible metallic implanted objects in the skull or the brain, except for shunts
• Anti-coagulant therapy, or medications known to increase risk of hemorrhage, (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid [ASA/aspirin], non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], statins) within washout period prior to treatment (There is no required washout for eligibility assessment, but patients should be off agents for at least 3 days at the time of LIFU procedure or until 5 half-lives of the agent, whichever is longer)
• Immunosuppression (corticosteroids to prevent/treat brain edema are permitted)
• Active seizure disorder or epilepsy (clinically significant seizures despite medical treatment) for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to first cycle/Exablate BBBD procedure captured by history
• Evidence of cranial or systemic infection
• Known HIV infection
• For participants for whom PI or medically licensed sub-I have suspicion of changed cardiac function since their prior pre-treatment echocardiogram/ECG: Repeat echo/ECG is indicative of cardiac disease, anomalies, or unstable hemodynamics (including left ventricular ejection fraction below the lower limit of normal, as defined by age per institutional standards OR hemodynamically unstable cardiac arrhythmia)
• History of a bleeding disorder or clinically significant coagulopathy at treating PI/Sub-I's discretion
• Cerebral or systemic vasculopathy, including intracranial thrombosis, vascular malformation, cerebral aneurysm, or vasculitis
• Known hypersensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents that, in the judgment of the PI or Sub-I in consultation with Radiology, is not expected to be safely mitigated with standard premedication and supportive care measures
• Known hypersensitivity to DEFINITY®, or its components (e.g., polyethylene glycol), or to other perflutren microsphere agent/s
• History of severe allergy or hypersensitivity to a study product excipient (e.g., DMSO) that, in the judgment of the PI or Sub-I, cannot be adequately managed with standard supportive measures and would pose an unacceptable risk to the participant
• Pregnant or lactating females

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

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Patients with newly diagnosed pontine DMG (Group A); Participants will be patients, ages 3 to 25 years, with newly diagnosed pontine DMG (Group A) who have undergone irradiation as part of their upfront therapy. Participants must not have received prior conventional or investigational chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, except bevacizumab. Biopsy is not required.	Biological: TAA-T Cell; Intravenous tumor associated antigen specific T cell (TAA-T) infusion.; Device: BBB Disruption; BBB disruption using the Exablate 4000 Type 2 System with DEFINITY microbubbles.
Experimental: Participants with newly diagnosed thalamic DMG (Group B); Participants will be patients, ages 3 to 25 years, with newly diagnosed thalamic DMG (Group B) who have undergone irradiation as part of their upfront therapy. With the exception of temozolomide administered concurrently with radiation and bevacizumab, participants must not have received prior conventional or investigational chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Biopsy is required.	Biological: TAA-T Cell; Intravenous tumor associated antigen specific T cell (TAA-T) infusion.; Device: BBB Disruption; BBB disruption using the Exablate 4000 Type 2 System with DEFINITY microbubbles.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety Evaluation	Number of participants with adverse events (graded by the CTCAE Version 6.0), serious adverse events, laboratory abnormalities, changes in vital signs, and changes in neurologic examination after the first LIFT therapy cycle and after subsequent cycles.	Within 28 days from last treatment
Feasibility evaluation	Clinical feasibility will be measured as the proportion of participants with successfully manufactured TAA-T cell product who receive LIFT therapy as intended and are evaluable throughout the DLT period. Clinical feasibility will be considered met if ≥70% of such participants complete at least one cycle of planned LIFT therapy.	Within 28 days from last treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Feasibility of multiple cycles	Of participants who received at least one cycle of LIFT therapy and have TAA-T cell product remaining for subsequent cycle/s, the proportion of participants who remain eligible and receive all three planned LIFT therapy cycles, and those who receive two of the three planned cycles, will be assessed. Clinical reasons for discontinuation will be described.	Ends when all planned LIFT treatment cycles completed
Treatment efficacy	Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival are defined as the interval of time between the date of diagnosis and the earliest date of documentation of progressive disease, or death (for any reason), respectively.	Within 3 years of last treatment
Treatment response based on the iRANO/RAPNO criteria	Overall disease response assessment: incidence of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), minimal response (MR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD) following LIFT therapy.	Within 3 years of last treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Children's National Research Institute
• Collaborators: Focused Ultrasound Foundation
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Luca Szalontay, MD, Children's National Research Institute

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2031
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2032

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 24, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): August 31, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 31, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 27, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: T cell therapy; Low-intensity focused ultrasound; LIFU; microbubble treatment; blood-brain barrier disruption; TAA-T cell therapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Glioma; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Nervous System Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms; Brain Stem Neoplasms; Infratentorial Neoplasms; Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00001962

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: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes