CATCH T Cells for Solid Cancers
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 1
Recruiting
Sponsor: Baylor College of Medicine
Must not be taking: Systemic steroids
Disqualifiers: HIV, Organ transplant, Uncontrolled infection, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Patients may be considered if the cancer has come back, has not gone away after standard treatment or the patient cannot receive standard treatment. This research study uses special immune system cells called CATCH T cells, a new experimental treatment.
The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancers. This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are types of proteins that protect the body from infectious diseases and possibly cancer. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including cells infected with viruses and tumor cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. They have shown promise, but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Investigators have found from previous research that we can put a new gene (a tiny part of what makes-up DNA and carriesa person's traits) into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them . In the lab, we made several genes called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), from an antibody called GC33. The antibody GC33 recognizes a protein called GPC3 that is found on the hepatocellular carcinoma the patient has. The specific CAR we are making is called GPC3-CAR. To make this CAR more effective, we also added a gene encoding protein called IL15. This protein helps CAR T cells grow better and stay in the blood longer so that they may kill tumors better. The mixture of GPC3-CAR and IL15 killed tumor cells better in the laboratory when compared with CAR T cells that did not have IL 15. This study will test T cells that we have made with CATCH T cells in patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors such as the ones participating in this study.
T cells made to carry a gene called iCasp9 can be killed when they encounter a specific drug called AP1903. The investigators will insert the iCasp9 and IL15 together into the T cells using a virus that has been made for this study. The drug (AP1903) is an experimental drug that has been tested in humans with no bad side-effects. The investigators will use this drug to kill the T cells if necessary due to side effects.
This study will test T cells genetically engineered with a GPC3-CAR and IL15 (CATCH T cells) in patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors.
The CATCH T cells are an investigational product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The purpose of this study is to find the biggest dose of CATCH T cells that is safe , to see how long they last in the body, to learn what the side effects are and to see if the CATCH T cells will help people with GPC3-positive solid tumors.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must stop systemic steroid treatment at least 24 hours before the CAR T cell infusion.
What data supports the effectiveness of the CATCH T cells treatment for solid cancers?
Research shows that T cells engineered to target glypican-3 (GPC3), a protein found on some solid tumors, can effectively kill cancer cells in lab studies and animal models. These engineered T cells have shown promising results in reducing tumor size and improving immune response in various solid tumors, suggesting potential effectiveness for treating GPC3-positive cancers.
12345Is the CATCH T cell treatment generally safe for humans?
Research on similar treatments, like GPC3-CAR T cells, shows they can be effective against certain tumors without causing harmful side effects in animal models. However, it's important to note that these studies are primarily in mice, and human safety data is still limited.
12567What makes the CATCH T cells treatment unique for solid cancers?
CATCH T cells are unique because they are engineered to target glypican-3 (GPC3), a protein found on certain solid tumors, and are enhanced with IL-15 to improve their effectiveness. This approach aims to overcome the challenges of treating solid tumors by boosting the T cells' ability to attack cancer cells and persist in the body, which is not typically achieved with standard CAR T cell therapies.
12358Eligibility Criteria
Adults with certain solid tumors like liver cancer, who have tried standard treatments without success or can't receive them. They must be in relatively good health with a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks and adequate organ function. Pregnant individuals, those with HIV, active infections (except Hepatitis B/C), or history of organ transplant cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
I can care for myself but may need occasional help.
My platelet count is above 25,000, or I can receive a transfusion to reach it.
I can care for myself but may need occasional help.
+20 more
Exclusion Criteria
I am not on high doses of steroids or can stop them 24 hours before CAR T cell therapy.
You have been diagnosed with HIV.
I do not have any active infections, except possibly Hepatitis B or C.
+4 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)
Lymphodepletion Chemotherapy
Participants receive lymphodepletion chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine for 3 days before T-cell infusion
1 week
3 visits (in-person)
Treatment
Participants receive CATCH T cells infusion 48 to 72 hours after completing chemotherapy
1 week
1 visit (in-person)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with blood tests and tumor measurements
15 years
Regular visits every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 4 years, then annually
Participant Groups
The trial is testing CATCH T cells, which are the patient's own immune cells genetically modified to target and kill cancer cells by recognizing a protein called GPC3 on tumor surfaces. The study aims to determine the highest safe dose, how long these cells last in the body, their side effects, and effectiveness against GPC3-positive tumors.
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: CATCH T cellsExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
GPC3-CAR and the IL15 (CATCH T cells) will be administered to patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors.
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Houston Methodist HospitalHouston, TX
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Baylor College of MedicineLead Sponsor
The Methodist Hospital Research InstituteCollaborator
Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of MedicineCollaborator
References
Redirecting T Cells to Glypican-3 with 4-1BB Zeta Chimeric Antigen Receptors Results in Th1 Polarization and Potent Antitumor Activity. [2022]T cells engineered to express CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have shown breakthrough clinical successes in patients with B-cell lymphoid malignancies. However, similar therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells in solid tumors is yet to be achieved. In this study we systematically evaluated a series of CAR constructs targeting glypican-3 (GPC3), which is selectively expressed on several solid tumors. We compared GPC3-specific CARs that encoded CD3ζ (Gz) alone or with costimulatory domains derived from CD28 (G28z), 4-1BB (GBBz), or CD28 and 4-1BB (G28BBz). All GPC3-CARs rendered T cells highly cytotoxic to GPC3-positive hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and malignant rhabdoid tumor cell lines in vitro. GBBz induced the preferential production of Th1 cytokines (interferon γ/granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor) while G28z preferentially induced Th2 cytokines (interleukin-4/interleukin-10). Inclusion of 4-1BB in G28BBz could only partially ameliorate the Th2-polarizing effect of CD28. 4-1BB induced superior expansion of CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo. T cells expressing GPC3-CARs incorporating CD28, 4-1BB, or both induced sustained tumor regressions in two xenogeneic tumor models. Thus, GBBz CAR endows T cells with superior proliferative potential, potent antitumor activity, and a Th1-biased cytokine profile, justifying further clinical development of GBBz CAR for immunotherapy of GPC3-positive solid tumors.
Armored Inducible Expression of IL-12 Enhances Antitumor Activity of Glypican-3-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered T Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. [2020]Adoptive immunotherapy based on chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells has been demonstrated as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in the treatment of malignancies. However, CAR-T cell therapy has shown limited efficacy for the treatment of solid tumors. This is, in part, because of tumor heterogeneity and a hostile tumor microenvironment, which could suppress adoptively transferred T cell activity. In this study, we, respectively, engineered human- or murine-derived-armored glypican-3 (GPC3)-specific CAR-T cells capable of inducibly expressing IL-12 (GPC3-28Z-NFAT-IL-12) T cells. The results showed that GPC3-28Z-NFAT-IL-12 T cells could lyse GPC3+ tumor cells specifically and increase cytokine secretion compared with GPC3-28Z T cells in vitro. In vivo, GPC3-28Z-NFAT-IL-12 T cells augmented the antitumor effect when encountering GPC3+ large tumor burdens, which could be attributed to IL-12 increasing IFN-γ production, favoring T cells infiltration and persistence. Furthermore, in immunocompetent hosts, low doses of GPC3-m28Z-mNFAT-mIL-12 T cells exerted superior antitumor efficacy without prior conditioning in comparison with GPC3-m28Z T cells. Also, mIL-12 secretion decreased regulatory T cell infiltration in established tumors. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that the inducible expression of IL-12 could boost CAR-T function with less potential side effects, both in immunodeficient and immunocompetent hosts. The inducibly expressed IL-12-armored GPC3-CAR-T cells could broaden the application of CAR-T-based immunotherapy to patients intolerant of lymphodepletion chemotherapy and might provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with GPC3+ cancers.
Adoptive immunotherapy using T lymphocytes redirected to glypican-3 for the treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma. [2020]There are unmet medical needs for patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Therefore, in this study, we explored the antitumor potential of third-generation glypican 3 (GPC3)-redirected chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T lymphocytes (CARgpc3 T cells) in tumor models of LSCC. First, we demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) that GPC3 was expressed in 66.3% of LSCC samples and in 3.3% of lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) samples but not in normal lung tissues. In the presence of GPC3-positive LSCC cells, CARgpc3 T cells were highly activated and increased in number. CARgpc3 T cells could specifically lyse GPC3-positive LSCC cells in vitro. In two established LSCC xenograft models, CARgpc3 T cells could almost completely eliminate the growth of GPC3-positive cells. Additionally, the CARgpc3 T cells were able to persist in vivo and efficiently infiltrate the cancerous tissues. Taken together, these findings indicate that CARgpc3 T cells might be a novel potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with LSCC.
An anti-glypican 3/CD3 bispecific T cell-redirecting antibody for treatment of solid tumors. [2018]Cancer care is being revolutionized by immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, engineered T cell transfer, and cell vaccines. The bispecific T cell-redirecting antibody (TRAB) is one such promising immunotherapy, which can redirect T cells to tumor cells by engaging CD3 on a T cell and an antigen on a tumor cell. Because T cells can be redirected to tumor cells regardless of the specificity of T cell receptors, TRAB is considered efficacious for less immunogenic tumors lacking enough neoantigens. Its clinical efficacy has been exemplified by blinatumomab, a bispecific T cell engager targeting CD19 and CD3, which has shown marked clinical responses against hematological malignancies. However, the success of TRAB in solid tumors has been hampered by the lack of a target molecule with sufficient tumor selectivity to avoid "on-target off-tumor" toxicity. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a highly tumor-specific antigen that is expressed during fetal development but is strictly suppressed in normal adult tissues. We developed ERY974, a whole humanized immunoglobulin G-structured TRAB harboring a common light chain, which bispecifically binds to GPC3 and CD3. Using a mouse model with reconstituted human immune cells, we revealed that ERY974 is highly effective in killing various types of tumors that have GPC3 expression comparable to that in clinical tumors. ERY974 also induced a robust antitumor efficacy even against tumors with nonimmunogenic features, which are difficult to treat by inhibiting immune checkpoints such as PD-1 (programmed cell death protein-1) and CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4). Immune monitoring revealed that ERY974 converted the poorly inflamed tumor microenvironment to a highly inflamed microenvironment. Toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys showed transient cytokine elevation, but this was manageable and reversible. No organ toxicity was evident. These data provide a rationale for clinical testing of ERY974 for the treatment of patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors.
[Construction and function of Glypican-3-targeted fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells (secreting IL-7 and CCL19)]. [2020]Adoptive immunotherapy based on chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) is one of the most promising strategies to treat malignant tumors, but its application in solid tumors is still limited. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a meaningful diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The second/third generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells are generated to treat HCC. In order to improve the therapeutic effect, we constructed a fourth-generation lentiviral vector to express GPC3 CAR, human interleukin-7 (IL-7) and CCL19. Then the lentiviral vector and packaging plasmids were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to generate CAR lentiviral particles. Human T lymphocyte cells were transduced with CAR lentiviral to develop the fourth-generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells (GPC3-BBZ-7×19). In vitro, we used cell counting, transwell assay, luciferase bioluminescence assay and flow cytometry to compare the proliferation, chemotaxis, cytotoxicity and subtype distribution between GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells and the second generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells (GPC3-BBZ). In vivo, we established GPC3-positive HCC xenograft model in immunodeficient mice, then untransduced T cells (non-CAR-T) or GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells were injected. Tumor growth in mice was observed by bioluminescence imaging. Results showed that compared with GPC3-BBZ CAR-T, GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells had stronger proliferation, chemotactic ability, and higher composition of memory stem T cells (Tscm) (P values
GPC1 specific CAR-T cells eradicate established solid tumor without adverse effects and synergize with anti-PD-1 Ab. [2021]Current xenogeneic mouse models cannot evaluate on-target off-tumor adverse effect, hindering the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for solid tumors, due to limited human/mouse cross-reactivity of antibodies used in CAR and sever graft-versus-host disease induced by administered human T cells. We have evaluated safety and antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells targeting glypican-1 (GPC1) overexpressed in various solid tumors. GPC1-specific human and murine CAR-T cells generated from our original anti-human/mouse GPC1 antibody showed strong antitumor effects in xenogeneic and syngeneic mouse models, respectively. Importantly, the murine CAR-T cells enhanced endogenous T cell responses against a non-GPC1 tumor antigen through the mechanism of antigen-spreading and showed synergistic antitumor effects with anti-PD-1 antibody without any adverse effects in syngeneic models. Our study shows the potential of GPC1 as a CAR-T cell target for solid tumors and the importance of syngeneic and xenogeneic models for evaluating their safety and efficacy.
Development of T cells carrying two complementary chimeric antigen receptors against glypican-3 and asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [2017]Adoptive immunotherapy leveraging chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells holds great promise for the treatment of cancer. However, tumor-associated antigens often have low expression levels in normal tissues, which can cause on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Recently, we reported that GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells could eradicate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenografts in mice. However, it remains unknown whether on-target, off-tumor toxicity can occur. Therefore, we proposed that dual-targeted CAR-T cells co-expressing glypican-3 (GPC3) and asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1) (a liver tissue-specific protein)-targeted CARs featuring CD3ζ and 28BB (containing both CD28 and 4-1BB signaling domains), respectively, may have reduced on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Our results demonstrated that dual-targeted CAR-T cells caused no cytotoxicity to ASGR1+GPC3- tumor cells, but they exhibited a similar cytotoxicity against GPC3+ASGR1- and GPC3+ASGR1+ HCC cells in vitro. We found that dual-targeted CAR-T cells showed significantly higher cytokine secretion, proliferation and antiapoptosis ability against tumor cells bearing both antigens than single-targeted CAR-T cells in vitro. Furthermore, the dual-targeted CAR-T cells displayed potent growth suppression activity on GPC3+ASGR1+ HCC tumor xenografts, while no obvious growth suppression was seen with single or double antigen-negative tumor xenografts. Additionally, the dual-targeted T cells exerted superior anticancer activity and persistence against single-targeted T cells in two GPC3+ASGR1+ HCC xenograft models. Together, T cells carrying two complementary CARs against GPC3 and ASGR1 may reduce the risk of on-target, off-tumor toxicity while maintaining relatively potent antitumor activities on GPC3+ASGR1+ HCC.
The IgG4 hinge with CD28 transmembrane domain improves VHH-based CAR T cells targeting a membrane-distal epitope of GPC1 in pancreatic cancer. [2023]Heterogeneous antigen expression is a key barrier influencing the activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in solid tumors. Here, we develop CAR T cells targeting glypican-1 (GPC1), an oncofetal antigen expressed in pancreatic cancer. We report the generation of dromedary camel VHH nanobody (D4)-based CAR T cells targeting GPC1 and the optimization of the hinge (H) and transmembrane domain (TM) to improve activity. We find that a structurally rigid IgG4H and CD28TM domain brings the two D4 fragments in proximity, driving CAR dimerization and leading to enhanced T-cell signaling and tumor regression in pancreatic cancer models with low antigen density in female mice. Furthermore, single-cell-based proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of D4-IgG4H-CD28TM CAR T cells reveals specific genes (e.g., HMGB1) associated with high T-cell polyfunctionality. This study demonstrates the potential of VHH-based CAR T for pancreatic cancer therapy and provides an engineering strategy for developing potent CAR T cells targeting membrane-distal epitopes.