Allogenic CD19-targeting CAR-γδT Cell Therapy in r/r NHL

Sponsor

Chinese PLA General Hospital (Other)

Overall Status

Recruiting

CT.gov ID

NCT05554939

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Locations

Arm

36.7

Anticipated Duration (Months)

Patients Per Site

0.4

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

CD19-CAR-γδT cell therapy is a cellular immunotherapy targeting CD19 to perform CAR modification on allogeneic γδT cells. In this study, a second-generation anti-CD19 CAR prototype was constructed, bearing murine FMC63 single-chain variant fragment (scFv) together with intracellular 4-1BB co-stimulatory and CD3ζ signaling domains linked by a CD8α sequence comprising the hinge and transmembrane domains. The cells were derived from the patient's relative donors or unrelated healthy donors. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -mismatched or partially matched or full matched are acceptable.

This is a single center, prospective, open-label, single-arm, phase 1/2 study. A total of around 30 patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) will be enrolled in the study and receive allogeneic CD19-CAR-γδT cell infusion. Phase 1 (n=9 to 12) is dose escalation part, and phase 2 (n=15 to 20) is expansion cohort part. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic CD19-CAR-γδT cell therapy in patients with r/r B-cell NHL.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma	Biological: Allogenic CD19-CAR-γδT cell Drug: Fludarabine Drug: Cyclophosphamide	Phase 1/Phase 2

Detailed Description

Phase 1 (dose escalation)

In phase 1, 9-12 subjects will be enrolled. Subjects will receive 3 doses of CD19-CAR- γδ T cell therapy (2 × 10^{6 cells/kg、6× 10}6 cells/kg、1.8 × 10^7 cells/kg) increases from low dose to high dose according to the "3 + 3" principle:

Three patients were enrolled in the lowest dose group.
Subsequent patients were enrolled according to the following rules:
If the incidence of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was 0/3, 3 patients were enrolled in the next high-dose group.
If the incidence of DLT was 1/3, 3 patients were enrolled at the same dose; If the incidence of DLT was 1/3 + 0/3, 3 patients were enrolled in the next high-dose group. If the incidence of DLT was 1/3 + 1/3, this dose was defined as maximum tolerated dose (MTD); If the incidence of DLT was 1/3 + 2/3 or 1/3 + 3/3, the previous dose was MTD.
If the incidence of DLT was 2/3 or 3/3, the previous dose was MTD.

To ensure the safety of the subjects, the first subject in each dose group was observed for at least 28 days after the cell infusion. If no DLT occurred, the remaining two subjects could be enrolled and treated at the same dose level. The safety data of all subjects in each dose group until day 28 should be reviewed and tolerated before proceeding to the next dose group trial. No dose escalation was allowed for the same subject during the trial. If a subject drop out during the observation period due to non-DLT reasons, new subjects should be enrolled to make up for the number of subjects who drop out.

Phase 2 (expansion cohort)

In phase 2, 15 to 20 subjects will be enrolled and receive CD19-CAR-γδ T cell infusion at dose of RP2D, which will be determined based on the MTD, occurrence of DLT, the obtained efficacy results, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and other data according to the phase 1.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the phase 1 were to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and determine recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The primary purpose of the phase 2 study was to evaluate the efficacy.

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Anticipated Enrollment :

30 participants

Allocation:

N/A

Intervention Model:

Single Group Assignment

Masking:

None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

Allogenic CD19-targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor γδT Cells Therapy in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Actual Study Start Date :

Dec 11, 2022

Anticipated Primary Completion Date :

Dec 31, 2024

Anticipated Study Completion Date :

Dec 31, 2025

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Patients with refractory or relapsed B-cell NHL A conditioning chemotherapy regimen of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide will be administered followed by investigational treatment, allogenic targeting CD19 chimeric antigen receptor γδT cells. Post leukapheresis, administration of short half-life chemo-agents, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) and/or dexamethasone should be considered to bridge the following FC regimen in patients with bulky tumor burden, rapidly aggressive progression, and/or indications of imperious symptom control.	Biological: Allogenic CD19-CAR-γδT cell Phase 1 dose escalation (3+3) : dose 1 (2 × 10^6 cells/kg) , dose 2 (6 × 10^6 cells/kg), dose 3 (1.8 × 10^7 cells/kg); Phase 2 : dose of RP2D. Drug: Fludarabine Intravenous fludarabine 40 mg/m^2/day on days -5, -4, and -3. Other Names: Fludarabine Phosphate for Injection Drug: Cyclophosphamide Intravenous cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m^2/day on days -5, -4, and -3. Other Names: Cyclophosphamide for Injection

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Experimental: Patients with refractory or relapsed B-cell NHL

A conditioning chemotherapy regimen of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide will be administered followed by investigational treatment, allogenic targeting CD19 chimeric antigen receptor γδT cells. Post leukapheresis, administration of short half-life chemo-agents, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) and/or dexamethasone should be considered to bridge the following FC regimen in patients with bulky tumor burden, rapidly aggressive progression, and/or indications of imperious symptom control.

Biological: Allogenic CD19-CAR-γδT cell

Phase 1 dose escalation (3+3) : dose 1 (2 × 10^6 cells/kg) , dose 2 (6 × 10^6 cells/kg), dose 3 (1.8 × 10^7 cells/kg); Phase 2 : dose of RP2D.

Drug: Fludarabine

Intravenous fludarabine 40 mg/m^2/day on days -5, -4, and -3.

Other Names:

Fludarabine Phosphate for Injection

Drug: Cyclophosphamide

Intravenous cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m^2/day on days -5, -4, and -3.

Other Names:

Cyclophosphamide for Injection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Phase 1: Incidence of Adverse Events (AEs) [12 months]
AE is defined as any adverse medical event from the date of randomization to 12 months after CD19-CAR-γδT cells infusion. Among them, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were graded according to American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) criteria, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) according to criteria defined by the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium. Other AEs were graded according to common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) v5.0.
Phase 1: Incidence of Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) [First infusion date of CD19-CAR-γδT cells up to 28 days]
DLT was defined as CD19-CAR-γδT cells-related events with onset within first 28 days following infusion: The development of Grade (G) III-IV acute GVHD according to the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium criteria; The development of G3 or higher grade CRS lasting > 2 weeks; Any CD19-CAR-γδT cells-related AE requiring intubation; All G4 non-hematologic toxicities. Symptoms of GVHD include but are not limited to skin rash, enterocolitis with diarrhea, liver dysfunction with jaundice, fever, weight loss, etc.
Phase 1: Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) [12 months]
MTD is defined as the highest dose level of less than or equal to 2 DLT among the 6 subjects finally determined.
Phase 1: Recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) [12 months]
The recommended dose for phase 2 was determined through phase 1 study.
Phase 2: Best objective Response Rate [12 months]
The incidence of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD), or unevaluable (UE) as the best response to treatment assessed by investigators and based on the Lugano 2014 assessment criterion.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Phase 2: Overall Survival (OS) [12 months after the first infusion of CD19-CAR-γδT cells]
OS is defined as the time from CD19-CAR-γδT cells infusion to the date of death. Subjects who have not died by the analysis data cutoff date will be censored at their last contact date.
Phase 2: Progression Free Survival (PFS) [12 months after the first infusion of CD19-CAR-γδT cells]
PFS is defined as the time from the CD19-CAR-γδT cells infusion date to the date of disease progression assessed by investigators and based on the Lugano 2014 assessment criterion, or death any cause. Participants not meeting the criteria for progression by the analysis data cutoff date were censored at their last evaluable disease assessment date.
Phase 2: Time to response (TTR) [12 months]
TTR is defined as the time from CD19-CAR-γδT infusion to first assessed CR or PR by investigators and based on the Lugano 2014 assessment criterion.
Phase 2: Duration of Response (DOR) [12 months]
DOR is defined as the date of their first CR or PR (which is subsequently confirmed) to PD assessed by investigators and based on the Lugano 2014 assessment criterion for r/r B-cell NHL, or death regardless of cause.
Pharmacokinetics: Number and copy number of CD19-CAR-γδT cells (phase 1 and phase 2) [12 months]
Number and copy number of CD19-CAR-γδT cells were assessed by number in peripheral blood. Blood samples were collected before and one year after cell infusion (until CD19-CAR-γδT cells were not detected for two consecutive times) to detect the number and copy number of CD19-CAR-γδT cells, and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of CD19-CAR-γδT.
Pharmacokinetics: Persistence of CD19-CAR-γδT (phase 1 and phase 2) [12 months]
Persistence of CD19-CAR-γδT cell assessed by number in peripheral blood.
Pharmacodynamics: Peak level of cytokines in serum (phase 1 and phase 2) [Up to 28 days after infusion]
The cytokines mainly include interleukin-2 (IL-2 ), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C reactive protein (CRP), ferritin. Peak was defined as the maximum post-baseline level of the cytokine.
Immunogenicity: Proportion of subjects with anti drug antibody (ADA) (phase 1) [12 months]
ADAs include anti-donor γδT antibody or anti-CD19 CAR single-chain variable fragment antibody.

Other Outcome Measures

Relationship between infusion dose of CD19-CAR-γδT cells and efficacy [12 months]
The relationship between the number of CD19-CAR-γδT cells, copy number, cytokines level, GVHD response, and anti-tumor effect of CD19-CAR-γδT cells was analyzed. Peripheral blood was collected at the day of infusion (day 1), day 4, day 7, day 11, day 14, day 28, at least once every month after 28 days, at least once every three months after half a year, and at least once every six months after a year. The number of CAR-γδT cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the copy number was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Dynamics characteristic of CAR-γδT cells and key molecular and cellular mechanisms of B-cell tumor resistance in vivo after infusion [12 months]
The dynamic changes of the number and copy number of CAR-γδT cells in patients after CD19-CAR-γδT treatment were analyzed. The peak, expansion pattern and continuous expansion time of CAR-γδT cells in vivo were studied, and the evolution of CAR-γδT cells in vivo was summarized. To analyze the expansion of CAR-γδT cells in peripheral blood of patients with primary or acquired resistance after CD19-CAR-γδT treatment, the evolution of CD19 antigen and other changes at the cellular or molecular level after treatment, and to summarize the key cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria for patients:

Age 18-75 (inclusive).
Patients with histologically confirmed CD19-positive B-cell NHL, including the following types defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016:

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS), including Activated B-cell type (ABC）/Germinal center B-cell type（GCB）;
Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL);
Transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL);
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBCL);
Follicular lymphoma (FL);
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) (pathologically confirmed, with documentation of monoclonal B cells that have a chromosome translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) and/or overexpress cyclin D1);
Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), including nodal or splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Relapse after treatment with ≥2 lines systemic therapy for all the above disease types, or refractory disease for aggressive types (DLBCL-NOS, PMBCL, TFL and HGBCL). Relapse disease is defined as disease progression after last regimen. Refractory disease is defined as no CR to first-line therapy:

PD as best response to first-line therapy, or
SD as best response after at least 4 cycles of first-line therapy (eg,4 cycles of R-CHOP), or
PR as best response after at least 6 cycles and biopsy-proven residual disease or disease progression ≤ 6 months of therapy, or
Refractory post-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) i. Disease progression or relapsed less than or equal to 12 months of ASCT (must have biopsy proven recurrence in relapsed individuals) ii. If salvage therapy is given post-ASCT, the individual must have had no response to or relapsed after the last line of therapy.

Individuals must have received adequate prior therapy:

For MCL, prior therapy must have included:
Anthracycline or bendamustine-containing chemotherapy and
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (unless investigator determines that tumor is CD20-negative) and
Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi)
For other types, prior therapy must have included:
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (unless investigator determines that tumor is CD20-negative) and
Anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimen.
For individual with transformed FL must have relapse or refractory disease after transformation to DLBCL.

The estimated survival time is over 3 months.
The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score is 0-2.
According to Lugano response criteria 2014, there should be at least one evaluable tumor focus. Evaluable tumor focus was defined as that with the longest diameter of intranodal focus > 1.5cm, the longest diameter of extranodal focus > 1.0cm assessed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Subjects must be willing to undergo either excised or large-needle lymph node or tissue biopsy, or provide formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block or freshly cut unstained slides.
Functions of important organs meet the following requirements: Echocardiography showed left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. Serum creatinine ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal range (ULN) or endogenous creatinine clearance ≥45mL/min (cockcroft-gault formula); Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤3 times ULN, Total bilirubin ≤1.5× ULN; Pulmonary function: ≤CTCAE grade 1 dyspnea and oxygen saturation of blood (SaO2) ≥91% in indoor air environment.
Blood routine (normal values shall not be obtained with growth factors, and hemocytopenia caused by lymphoma invasion of bone marrow is not subject to conditions below): hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥80g/L, neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1×10^{6/L, platelet (PLT)
≥75×10}9/L.
Pregnancy tests for women of childbearing age shall be negative; Both men and women agreed to use effective contraception during treatment and during the subsequent 1 year.
Toxicity from previous antitumor therapy ≤ grade 1 (according to CTCAE version 5.0) or to an acceptable level of inclusion/exclusion criteria (other toxicities such as alopecia and vitiligo considered by the investigator to pose no safety risk to the subject).
No obvious hereditary diseases.
Able to understand the requirements and matters of the trial, and willing to participate in clinical research as required.
Informed consent must be signed.

Exclusion Criteria for patients:

During the screening period, there was central nervous system (CNS) invasion or a history of clinically significant central nervous system diseases, such as epilepsy and cerebrovascular diseases.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who do not agree to use effective contraception during treatment and during the subsequent 1 year.
History of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or organ transplantation.
History of other malignancies that have not been in remission.
Patients with primary immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppressive therapy.
Received radiotherapy within 3 months before enrollment.
Received immunotherapy drugs within 4 weeks before enrollment, such as anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody, anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, CD19/CD3-bispecific antibody, and so on.
Patients who received any immunocellular therapy within 6 months before enrollment.
Confirmed evidence showing positiveness of anti-CD19 scFv reaction in patient serum.
Patients who participated in other clinical trials within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
Uncontrolled infectious diseases or other serious illnesses, including but not limited to infections [e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acute or chronic active hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) infection], congestive heart failure, unstable angina, arrhythmias, or that pose an unpredictable risk in the opinion of the attending physician.
The presence of uncontrollable serous membrane fluid, such as massive pleural effusion or ascites.
A history of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 3 months prior to enrollment.
Major surgery or trauma occurred within 28 days prior to enrollment, or major side effects have not been recovered.
Received allogeneic cell therapy within 6 weeks prior to enrollment, such as donor lymphocyte infusion.
History of allergies to any of the ingredients in cell products.
Conditions in which a known mental or physical illness interferes with cooperation with the requirements of the study or disrupts the results or interpretation of the results and, in the opinion of the therapeutic investigator, makes the patient unfit for study participation.
There is the situation that the researcher's judgment will interfere with the whole study participation; Situations where there is significant risk to the subject; Or interferes with the interpretation of research data.
Inability to understand or unwillingness to sign informed consent.
Researchers believe that other reasons are not suitable for clinical trials.