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Gene Editing Therapy

Genetically-Engineered Immune Cells for Lung Cancer (CheckCell-2 Trial)

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Emil Lou, MD, PhD
Research Sponsored by Intima Bioscience, Inc.
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Clinical performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1 and an estimated life expectancy of ≥ 6 months
Measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 with at least one lesion identified as resectable for cell therapy manufacturing and at least one other lesion meeting the RECIST criteria for measurable disease
Must not have
History of Grade ≥ 2 pneumonitis or active interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis requiring treatment with systemic steroids
Concurrent opportunistic infection
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 3.5 years
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing a new way to treat lung cancer using genetically-engineered immune cells. The goal is to see if this new treatment is safe and effective.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 18-70 with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), either PD-L1 negative or positive, who are candidates for first-line anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy with chemo. They must have good organ function, agree to use contraception, and can stay near the treatment site for follow-ups. Exclusions include those with certain medical conditions, prior malignancies within 3 years, severe allergies to specific drugs, recent live vaccines, active infections or coagulation disorders.
What is being tested?
The trial is testing genetically-engineered Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) where CISH has been inactivated using CRISPR gene editing. This is combined with standard treatments like Pembrolizumab and chemotherapy to see if it's safe and effective against metastatic NSCLC.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects may include immune reactions due to genetic engineering of T cells, infusion-related responses from TIL therapy or Pembrolizumab administration; effects from high-dose aldesleukin such as low blood pressure; plus typical chemotherapy side effects like nausea and hair loss.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am mostly active and my doctors believe I have 6 or more months to live.
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I have at least one tumor that can be surgically removed and another that can be measured.
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I am between 18 and 70 years old.
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My lung cancer is confirmed as non-small cell type, with any PD-L1 status.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have had serious lung inflammation or currently have lung disease needing steroids.
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I am currently dealing with an opportunistic infection.
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I do not have any active infections, bleeding disorders, or serious illnesses.
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I have had another type of cancer in the last 3 years.
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My cancer has a mutation that responds to specific approved treatments.
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I have a history of heart problems.
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I haven't had cell therapy or an organ transplant in the last 20 years.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~3.5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 3.5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Phase I: Safety and Initial Efficacy
Phase II: Objective Response Rate (ORR)
Secondary study objectives
Clinical Benefit Rate
Duration of Response (DoR)
Overall Survival (OS)
+3 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: CISH CRISPR TIL plus pembrolizumab / Phase I ArmExperimental Treatment5 Interventions
Dose Expansion with Maintenance Therapy Cohort Non-myeloablative, lymphodepleting preparative regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine +escalating doses of CISH inactivated TIL + high-dose aldesleukin Maintenance pembrolizumab during follow-up
Group II: CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase II Arm PD-L1 Positive CohortExperimental Treatment5 Interventions
PD-L1 positive is defined as tumors with a PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥ 1%. Non-myeloablative, lymphodepleting preparative regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine +recommended phase II dose (from phase I) of CISH inactivated TIL + high-dose aldesleukin May include maintenance pembrolizumab during follow-up
Group III: CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase II Arm PD-L1 Negative CohortExperimental Treatment5 Interventions
Non-myeloablative, lymphodepleting preparative regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine +recommended phase II dose (from phase I) of CISH inactivated TIL + high-dose aldesleukin May include maintenance pembrolizumab during follow-up
Group IV: CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase I ArmExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Dose Escalation/Expansion Cohort Non-myeloablative, lymphodepleting preparative regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine +escalating doses of CISH inactivated TIL + high-dose aldesleukin
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Fludarabine
2012
Completed Phase 4
~1860
Pembrolizumab
2017
Completed Phase 3
~3150
Cyclophosphamide
2010
Completed Phase 4
~2310
Aldesleukin
2012
Completed Phase 4
~1610

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Intima Bioscience, Inc.Lead Sponsor
1 Previous Clinical Trials
20 Total Patients Enrolled
Emil Lou, MD, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorDivision of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota
1 Previous Clinical Trials
20 Total Patients Enrolled
Erminia Massarelli, MD, PhD, MSPrincipal InvestigatorDepartment of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope

Media Library

CISH Inactivated TIL (Gene Editing Therapy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05566223 — Phase 1 & 2
Lung Adenocarcinoma Research Study Groups: CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase II Arm PD-L1 Positive Cohort, CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase II Arm PD-L1 Negative Cohort, CISH CRISPR TIL / Phase I Arm, CISH CRISPR TIL plus pembrolizumab / Phase I Arm
Lung Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial 2023: CISH Inactivated TIL Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05566223 — Phase 1 & 2
CISH Inactivated TIL (Gene Editing Therapy) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05566223 — Phase 1 & 2
~21 spots leftby Nov 2025