Patients with relapsed leukemia often develop resistance to chemotherapy. For this reason, we are attempting to use a patient's own T cells, which can be genetically modified to expresses a chimeric antigen receptor(CAR). The CAR enables the T cell to recognize and kill the leukemic cells though the recognition of CD19, a protein expressed on the surface of the majority of pediatric ALL. This is a phase I study designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of the CAR+ T cells and define the toxicity of the treatment. As a secondary aim, we will be looking at the efficacy of the T cells on eradicating the patient's leukemic cells.
Upon meeting the eligibility requirements and enrolling on study, subjects will undergo a blood draw to obtain the T cells for the generation of the CD19 CAR+ T cells. The T cells are isolated from the blood, transduced with a lentivirus to express the CD19 CAR, and expanded in culture over a three week period. During the process of cell generation, subjects will continue to be cared for by their primary oncologist and may undergo additional treatment directed at the leukemia during this time. After the CAR+ T cells have been generated, the subject undergoes a disease assessment and will be admitted to the hospital to receive 2 days of cyclophosphamide for lymphodepletion and reduction of disease burden. Several days later, the subject will receive an infusion of the CAR+ T cells. Following treatment with the CAR+ T cells, subjects will be intensely followed for 6 weeks with serial blood testing and re-evaluation of disease status with bone marrow aspirates. After 6 weeks, the subjects clinical care will be resumed by their primary oncologist, and it is possible that they would receive additionally chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant. Upon completion of the study, subjects will be followed at least annually with a either a medical history, physical exam and blood tests or a phone call/questionnaire for 15 years. This follow up will help to determine if the subject develops any long-term health problems related to the CAR+ T cells including a new cancer.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
6
Autologous T cell modified to express a CD19 specific CAR and a truncated EGFRt tag
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, United States
Number of Participant with Adverse Events
The safety of the T cell infusion will be described and the maximum tolerated dose determined.
Time frame: 42 days
Persistence of the CD19 CAR+ T cells
Patients will be followed for 42 days to determine if the transferred T cells remain detectable in the blood and bone marrow
Time frame: 42 days
Determine if there is anti-leukemic activity of the CD19 CAR+ T cells
Patients will have their bone marrow assessed following the T cell infusion to determine if their disease responded to the treatment
Time frame: 42 days
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