PolyTreg Immunotherapy in Islet Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta (β)-cells, resulting in absolute deficiency of insulin. To date, clinical islet transplantation is an accepted modality to treat select patients who exhibit frequent hypoglycemic events and severe glycemic liability. The "Edmonton Protocol" became a milestone by reporting sustained C-peptide production and high rates of insulin-independence after transplant in patients with T1DM. Due to the challenges associated with allo- and autoimmunity in islet transplantation, appropriate immunosuppression is necessary to prevent acute and/or long-term rejection. Current immunosuppression protocols used in Edmonton and many other international sites for islet transplantation consist of a combination of induction, anti-inflammatory and maintenance therapy, accounting for higher success rates of islet transplantation. In spite of the strengths of the current immunosuppression regimen described above, it has failed to enhance single-donor success rates (15%), with the majority of patients requiring 2 or more islet transplants to achieve insulin independence. In Edmonton, clinical trials are designed to improve islet isolation, engraftment and long-term graft survival. The need for life-long, high-dose immunosuppression is associated with substantial side effects, and continues to limit application of islet transplantation earlier in the course of the disease. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a small subset of CD4+ T cells that depend on the FOXP3 transcription factor for their lineage differentiation and function. Tregs have emerged as the major contributor to self-tolerance through suppression of activation and effector function of other immune cells. Tregs function by preventing the initiation of unwanted immune activation and by suppressing ongoing immune responses to limit bystander tissue destruction. It has been suggested that infusion of Tregs before extensive graft damage may improve long-term graft outcomes. Unlike generalized immunosuppressive regimens, Tregs are long-lived and can function in a dominant and antigen-specific manner. Thus, therapeutic infusion of Tregs has the potential to induce long-term donor-specific tolerance without impeding desired immune responses to pathogens and tumors in transplant patients. In terms of diabetes, both animal and human studies demonstrate the central role of Tregs in preserving β-cell function. Infusion of Tregs prevents and even reverses diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. It has been demonstrated in animal studies that infused Tregs migrate to the allograft site shortly after transplantation and can induce stable islet graft survival without immunosuppression. Recent human studies report functional defects of Tregs in T1DM, which appear to be reversible. This clinical trial is collaboration between Dr. Shapiro's Clinical Islet Transplantation Program team in Edmonton, Alberta with Drs. Tang and Bluestone's teams at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Drs. Tang and Bluestone have been instrumental in developing PolyTreg technology, providing an opportunity for this exciting collaboration in a clinical trial of Treg infusion in islet transplantation. Dr. Tang's team focuses on translating knowledge on mechanisms of immune tolerance into novel therapeutics for treating autoimmune diabetes and preventing transplant rejection. They have demonstrated the efficacy of Tregs at multiple levels to halt tissue destruction in diabetic mouse models by subverting fully differentiated effector T-cells. Dr. Bluestone's research over the past 25 years has focused on understanding the basic processes that control T-cell activation and immune tolerance in autoimmunity and organ transplantation including a special emphasis on Tregs. Dr. Bluestone has demonstrated that PolyTreg immunotherapy can be safely administered in adult patients with new onset T1DM. Drs. Tang and Bluestone have abundant experience in Treg isolation and production and Treg immunotherapy, and bring strong technical and scientific support to this project. The investigators expect that this collaboration will integrate the strengths of both Treg immunotherapy and the standard treatment for islet transplant. Hence, this trial is to investigate the safety and efficacy of Treg infusion incorporated into the current protocol for islet transplantation, in the hope of finding more effective alternatives to the current immunosuppression regimen in islet transplantation. TRIAL DESIGN Based on existing pre-clinical and clinical findings, the investigators hypothesize that Tregs protect from both auto and allorejection of transplanted islets, thereby improving insulin independent durability and C-peptide function over time in adults with T1DM. Primary Objective To assess the safety and feasibility of intravenous infusion of ex vivo-selected and ex vivo-expanded autologous polyTregs in islet transplant patients. Primary Outcome Measure/Endpoint Adverse events Laboratory abnormalities Signs of toxicity Infusion reactions Complications related to infection Secondary Objective To assess effects on endogenous insulin secretion: Assess the effect of Tregs on b cell function in islet transplant patients. Secondary Outcome Measure/Endpoint C-peptide response during MMTTs Insulin use HbA1C Exploratory Objective Surrogate markers of diabetes immune response: Measure the effect of PolyTregs on the pathologic autoimmune and allo-immune responses. Exploratory Outcome Measure/Endpoint Multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) to assess effect on immune profile (pre- infusion, 1, 2, 4 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months post-infusion) Autoantibodies and autoreactive T cell using tetramer/or ELISA spot assay (pre-infusion, and 3, 6 and 12 months post infusion). Persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs in blood using deuterium labelling (Days 1, 7, 14, 28, 3 months,6 months and 12 months after infusion) This trial design will allow determination of the following specific aims: To demonstrate the safety of PolyTreg immunotherapy in islet transplantation in Type 1 diabetic patients. To assess the immunological impact of PolyTreg immunotherapy on patients receiving islet transplant. To assess the efficacy and to establish the optimal dose for PolyTreg immunotherapy. The investigators propose that PolyTregs will protect/dampen both auto and allo-rejection, thereby improving insulin independent durability and C-peptide function over time. In this trial, the investigators propose low level Tac/Sirolimus immunosuppression, the investigators hope that less early exposure and long-term exposure to high dose tacrolimus will lead to marked improvement in Beta cell function, less renal dysfunction, less opportunistic infections, less Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). The long-term goal is to develop and optimize PolyTreg dosing for a subsequent Phase 2 efficacy/safety randomized controlled trial (RCT). STUDY PROCEDURES Study participants will undergo a screening evaluation for this study. This will include the screening for standard of care islet transplant. For women of child bearing potential, the investigators will ask to confirm they are not pregnant with a blood test. If the patient is eligible and has consented to take part, he / she will be assigned into either the control group or treatment group at the investigator's discretion. The only difference between the two groups will be that the treatment group will receive PolyTregs infusion and the control group will not receive PolyTregs infusion. The investigators will collect certain details from his / her medical records, including age, sex, ethnicity and medical information. If the patient is assigned into the treatment group, a blood sample of 400 mL will be collected for PolyTregs manufacturing, which will be infused back to the patient at week 6 after islet transplant. The investigators will enrol two participants in the control group at first and will proceed with further enrolment for both groups if the procedure appears safe in the first two patients. For treatment group: Study visit 1: Pre-islet transplant Before initiation of islet transplant induction therapy, a total of 400 ml whole blood will be collected and immediately transported to the UCSF for PolyTregs manufacturing. Study visit 2: Islet transplant At this visit, participants will undergo islet transplant according to the current standard procedures at the University of Alberta Hospital. The only difference will be the use of lower doses of Tacrolimus/Sirolimus for immunosuppression. Study visit 3: 30 days ± 7 days post-islet transplant At visit 2, participants will have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH). These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review participants' insulin usage /blood glucose records. In addition, a blood sample will be collected for the testing of immune profiles, antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 4: PolyTreg infusion (6 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant) The participant will be admitted to UAH at week 6 post-islet transplantation for PolyTregs infusion. He / she will stay at the UAH for 24 hours for monitoring after the infusion. A blood sample will be collected to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs while the participant stays in the hospital. Study visit 5: 1 week ± 2 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at Day 7 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs and participants' immune profiles. Study visit 6: 2 weeks ± 4 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at Day 14 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs and participants' immune profiles. Study visit 7: 4 weeks ± 7 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at Day 28 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs and participants' immune profiles. Study visit 8: 6 weeks ± 7 days post-PolyTregs infusion (12 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant) At this visit, participants will have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the CIU at the UAH. These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review participants' insulin usage /blood glucose records. Study visit 9: 12 weeks ± 7 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at week 12 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs, immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 10: 26 weeks ± 30 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at week 26 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs, immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 11: 52 weeks ± 30 days post-PolyTregs infusion A blood sample will be collected at UAH at week 52 after PolyTregs infusion to assess the persistence and stability of infused PolyTregs, immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Participants will also have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the CIU at UAH. These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review participants' insulin usage /blood glucose records. Long-term Standard of Care Follow-up After study visit 11, participants will be followed by the standard of care schedule for islet transplant. For control group: Study visit 1: Islet transplant At this visit, participants will undergo islet transplant according to the current standard procedures at the University of Alberta Hospital. The only difference will be the use of lower doses of Tacrolimus/ Sirolimus for immunosuppression. Study visit 2: 30 days (± 7 days) post-islet transplant At visit 2, participants will have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH). These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review patient's insulin usage /blood glucose records. In addition, a blood sample will be collected for the testing of immune profiles, antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 3: 7 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant At visit 3, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles. Study visit 4: 8 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant At visit 4, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles. Study visit 5: 10 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant At visit 5, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles. Study visit 6: 12 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant At this visit, participants will have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH). These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review patient's insulin usage /blood glucose records. Study visit 7: 18 weeks ± 7 days post-islet transplant At visit 7, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 8: 32 weeks ± 30 days post-islet transplant At visit 8, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Study visit 9: 58 weeks ± 30 days post-islet transplant At visit 9, a blood sample will be collected at UAH to assess participants' immune profiles and antibodies and T cell function. Study participants will also have standard of care metabolic testing and blood samples taken in the CIU at UAH. These tests assess the function of transplanted islets and include an arginine-stimulated c-peptide test and an Ensure test. Blood samples will be taken at various time intervals over approximately 90 minutes and will test for: HbA1c, c-peptide, insulin and glucose. The investigators may also ask to review participants' insulin usage /blood glucose records. Long-term Standard of Care Follow-up After study visit 9, participants will be followed by the standard of care schedule for islet transplant.