Study of ATLCAR.CD138 Cells for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma Clinical Trial

Official title: Phase I Study of Autologous CAR T-Cells Targeting the CD138 Antigen for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancer. This research study combines two different ways of fighting disease: antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are proteins that protect the body from disease caused by bacteria or toxic substances. Antibodies work by binding those bacteria or substances, which stops them from growing and causing bad effects. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including tumor cells or cells that are infected. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat subjects with cancers. They both have shown promise, but neither alone has been sufficient to cure most subjects. This study is designed to combine both T cells and antibodies to create a more effective treatment. The treatment that is being researched is called autologous T lymphocyte chimeric antigen receptor cells targeted against the CD138 antigen (CAR138 T cells).

In previous studies, it has been shown that a new gene can be put into T cells that will increase their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. A gene is a unit of DNA. Genes make up the chemical structure carrying the subject's genetic information that may determine human characteristics (i.e., eye color, height and sex). The new gene that is put in the T cells in this study makes a piece of an antibody called anti-CD138. This antibody floats around in the blood and can detect and stick to cancer cells called multiple myeloma cells because they have a substance on the outside of the cells called CD138. Anti-CD138 antibodies have been used to treat people with multiple myeloma, but have not been strong enough to cure most subjects. For this study, the anti-CD138 antibody has been changed so that instead of floating free in the blood part of it is now joined to the T cells. Only the part of the antibody that sticks to the multiple myeloma cells is attached to the T cells instead of the entire antibody. When an antibody is joined to a T cell in this way it is called a chimeric receptor. These CD138 chimeric (combination) receptor-activated T cells seem to kill some of the tumor, but they do not last very long in the body and so their chances of fighting the cancer are unknown.

Clinical Trial Description

Cell Procurement Up to 300 mL total of peripheral blood (up to 3 collections) will be obtained from subjects for cell procurement. In subjects with a low CD3 count in the peripheral blood (less than 200/μl by flow cytometry), a leukopheresis may be performed to isolate sufficient T-cells. The parameters for pheresis will be 2 blood volumes.

CAR138 T-cell Administration Autologous CAR138 T-cells will be administered 2-14 days following lymphodepletion. The lymphodepletion regimen will consist of Cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m^2 and Fludarabine 30 mg/m^2 IV each given daily over 3 consecutive days.

Duration of Therapy Autologous CAR138 T-cells will be administered 2-14 days following lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine by a licensed provider (oncology registered nurse or physician) via intravenous injection over 5-10 minutes through either a peripheral or central line. The expected volume is 1-50cc.

Treatment with one infusion will be administered unless:

• The subject decides to withdraw from the study, OR

• General or specific changes in the subject's condition render the subject unacceptable for further treatment in the judgment of the investigator.

Duration of Follow-up Subjects will be followed for up to 15 years for replication-competent retrovirus evaluation or until death, whichever occurs first. Subjects removed from study for unacceptable adverse events will continue follow up for evaluation of progression free survival, overall survival and replication-competent retrovirus monitoring.

Subjects who experience disease progression after receiving a cell infusion will still be required to complete abbreviated follow up procedures.

Arms and Interventional ArmTitle : CAR138 T cells Description: The first 3 subjects enrolled in the study will receive 5x10^6 CAR138 T-cells/m^2 via infusion. The number of cells for the infusion will be increased to 1x10^7 CAR138 T-cells/m^2 and then, 2.5x10^7 CAR138 T-cells/m^2, 5x10^7 CAR138 T-cells/m^2, 1x10^8 CAR138 T-cells/m^2 and 2x10^8 CAR138 T-cells/m^2 in subsequent cohorts of 3 subjects provided no dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) are observed within 4 weeks of the cell infusion. Cohort enrollment will be staggered, requiring each subject to complete at least 2 weeks of safety monitoring following CAR138 T-cell infusion at the designated dose level for the cohort before another subject is allowed to enroll in the cohort. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Immune System Diseases
• Multiple Myeloma
• Neoplasms, Plasma Cell

• NCT number: NCT03672318
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Contact: Catherine Cheng
• Phone: 919-445-4208
• Email: catherine_cheng@med.unc.edu
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: January 14, 2019
• Completion date: June 2028