iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs/Refractory or Metastatic GD2-positive Sarcoma and Neuroblastoma

Overview

The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-T cells (also called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs) in combination with a varicella zoster vaccine and lymohodepleting chemotherapy. Additionally, we will learn what the side effects of this treatment are and to see whether this therapy might help patients with advanced osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma. Because there is no standard treatment for recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma at this time or because the currently used treatments do not work fully in all cases, patients are being asked to volunteer to take part in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells. 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 a new gene can be put into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. Investigators now want to see if a new gene can be put in these cells that will let the T cells recognize and kill sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells. The new gene is called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and consists of an antibody called 14g2a that recognizes GD2, a protein that is found on sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells (GD2-CAR). In addition, it contains parts of the CD28 and OX40 genes which can stimulate T cells to make them live longer. Investigators have found that CAR-T cells can kill some of the tumor, but they don't last very long in the body and so the tumor eventually comes back. T cells that recognize the virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster virus (VZV), remain in the bloodstream for many years especially if they are stimulated or boosted by the VZV vaccine. Investigators will therefore insert the GD2-CAR gene into T cells that recognize VZV. These cells are called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-specific T cells but are referred to as GD2-T cells for simplicity.

Patients give blood to make GD2-T cells that are grown and frozen. To get the GD2-CAR to attach to the surface of the T-cell, a gene is inserted into the T-cell. As described in the Brief Summary, the gene contains the GD2-CAR. This is done using part of a virus (known as a retrovirus) that has been put into a vector made for this study and that will carry the antibody gene into the T cell. This retrovirus vector also helps identify the T cells in the patient's blood after they have been injected. Because the patients have received cells with a new gene in them they will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer. When enrolled on this study, patients will be assigned to one of three groups of different doses of GD2-T cells. The first group of patients will receive a lower dose of GD2-T cells. Once that dose schedule proves safe, the next group of patients will be started at the higher dose. Patients will receive treatment with with cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) and fludarabine for 3 days before receiving the T-cell infusion. These drugs will decrease the numbers of your own T cells before we infuse the GD2-T cells. Patients will receive the GD2-T cells by an intravenous line. Before patients receive the injection, they may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. The injection will take between 1 and 25 minutes. The research team will follow patients in the clinic after the injection for 1 to 4 hours. Two weeks after receiving the dose of GD2-T cells, patients will receive a dose of the VZV vaccine. This will be given as an injection under the skin that will take less than a minute. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital or Houston Methodist Hospital. Patients may need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion so the research team can monitor patients for side effects. The research team will follow patients in the clinic or through communication with their primary doctor after the GD2-T-cell injection. Medical tests before treatment-- Before being treated, patients will receive a series of standard medical tests: * Physical exam and History * Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function * A urine pregnancy test. If you a patient is pregnant, both the patient and her parents will be informed of the pregnancy * Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies. We will use the imaging study that was used before to follow the patient's tumor (Computer Tomogram (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Positron Emission Tomography(PET/CT) Medical tests during and after treatment-- Patients will receive standard medical tests when they are getting the infusions and afterwards: * Physical exams * Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function * Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies at 6 weeks after the infusion To learn more about the way the GD2-T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood, based on the patient's weight, up to a maximum of 60 ml (12 teaspoons) of blood will be taken on the day of the GD2-T- cell infusion(s), (before and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s)), 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for 1 year, at 15 months and 18 months, then every 6 months for 4 years, then yearly for a total of 15 years. One additional blood sample might be drawn 3 to 4 days after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s); this is optional. Blood may be drawn at additional time points based on the patient's response to the treatment. During the time points listed above, if the Tcells are found in patient's blood at a certain amount, an extra 5ml of blood may need to be collected for additional testing. For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 ml (less than 1 teaspoon) per 2.2 pounds of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (have a low red blood cell count).