ClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT03283631INTERCEPTUpdated Apr 5, 2021

Intracerebral EGFR-vIII CAR-T Cells for Recurrent GBM

A Phase 1 interventional study of EGFRvIII-CARs in Recurrent Glioblastoma and Recurrent Gliosarcoma, sponsored by Gary Archer Ph.D.. Terminated at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-04-05.

Sponsored by Gary Archer Ph.D. · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
We are halting enrollment of this study.

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was Sep 2019, 7 years 1 month ago, and no results have been posted to the registry.
Phase
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
2
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
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Study summary

The goal of this protocol is to transfer autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transduced with genes encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognizes epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) tumor-specific antigen into patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The CAR used is targeted to a tumor-specific mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFRvIII, which is expressed on a subset of patients. Normal PBMCs derived from patients with GBM are genetically engineered with a viral vector encoding the CAR and infused directly into the patient's tumor with the aim of mediating regression of their tumors. Despite our CAR being targeted to a tumor specific antigen, given the prior toxicity using CARs that were not targeted to tumor-specific antigens, the investigators elected to begin with very low doses of cells. Enrollment on this study was suspended in April 2020 while an amendment to reduce the anticipated number of participants was under review and approved. The decision to terminate the study was made in January, 2021 to shift toward the next iteration of a related CAR T cell trial.

Read the detailed description

Patients with evidence of radiographic recurrence who expressed EGFRvIII on their original tumor diagnosis had autologous PBMCs harvested by leukapheresis. These autologous PBMCs were transduced with a retrovirus containing the sequences for the EGFRvIII CAR and sent to the Duke Radiopharmacy for radiolabeling with 111Indium (111In). Within 2-3 weeks of leukapheresis, on Day -4 to -2, patients had a BrainLab MRI to prepare for biopsy and catheter placement. On Day -1, the patient underwent standard of care (SOC) stereotactic biopsy under local anesthesia to confirm tumor recurrence. At the time of biopsy, prior to catheter insertion and administration of study drug, the presence of recurrent tumor was confirmed by histopathology. If tumor recurrence was confirmed, a catheter was placed intratumorally for delivery of EGFRvIII-CARs by Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED).

SRS will took place on Day 0 (+1 day) and 111In-labeled EGFRvIII-CARs were infused on the same day over a 6 to 6.5 hour period immediately after SRS.

On days 1 and 2 after 111In-labeled EGFRvIII-CAR infusion, whole planar imaging followed by Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Computed Tomography (CT) imaging assessed the intracerebral and systemic localization of the 111In-labeled EGFRvIII-CARs that described the distribution of EGFRvIII-CARs within the brain and systemically.

This protocol was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a novel, tumor-specific treatment with autologous EGFRvIII-CARs. The proposed starting dose was 2.5 x 10\^8 of 111In-labeled cells in 3 milliliters (mL). The infusion flow rate was fixed at 0.5 mL/hr.

Enrollment on this study was suspended in April 2020 while an amendment to reduce the anticipated number of participants was under review and approved. Upon approval of this amendment, the enrollment suspension remained due to a change in access to necessary equipment for CAR manufacturing. The decision to terminate the study was made in January, 2021 to shift toward the next iteration of a related CAR T cell trial. The knowledge gained from this study experience is directing our next CAR T-cell platform and will be used to secure additional funding.

02

Conditions studied

  • Recurrent Glioblastoma
  • Recurrent Gliosarcoma

Keywords

  • Malignant Glioma
  • INTERCEPT
  • Pro00083828
  • Adult
  • Chimeric Antigen Receptor
  • CAR T cell
  • EGFRvIII
03

In context

Glioblastoma

2,132 studies on the registry are indexed under Glioblastoma; 464 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 2 is below the median of 36 across 1,753 interventional studies indexed under Glioblastoma.

Browse Glioblastoma studies →

Lead sponsor

Gary Archer Ph.D. is the lead sponsor of 5 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Disease progression or recurrence of a supratentorial World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV malignant glioma (GBM or gliosarcoma) based on imaging studies with . At the time of , prior to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and administration of the EGFRvIII-CARS, the presence of recurrent tumor must be confirmed by histopathological analysis.
  2. Adults ≥ 18 years old.
  3. Performance Status (KPS) score ≥ 70.
  4. EGFRvIII, the target antigen, must be identified on tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), i.e. EGFRvIII positive via pathology report.
  5. ≥ 9.0 g/dl, (ANC) ≥ 1,000 cells/µl, ≥ 125,000 cells/µl (prior to biopsy).
  6. Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dl, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (), and ≤ 1.5 times (prior to biopsy).
  7. Signed approved by the Institutional Review Board.
  8. Female patients must not be pregnant or breast-feeding. Female patients of (defined as \< 2 years after last menstruation or not surgically sterile) must use a highly effective method (allowed methods of birth control, [i.e. with a failure rate of \< 1% per year] are implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, intra-uterine device [IUD; only hormonal], sexual abstinence or vasectomized partner) during the trial and for a period of > 6 months following the last administration of trial drug(s). Female patients with an intact uterus (unless amenorrhea for the last 24 months) must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to starting SRS.
  9. Fertile male patients must agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method (allowed methods of birth control [i.e. with a failure rate of \< 1% per year] include a female partner using implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, IUDs [only hormonal], sexual abstinence or prior vasectomy) during the trial and for a period of > 6 months following the last administration of trial drugs.
  10. Meet eligibility requirements for SRS: able to get MRI; the patient must have a lesion that, in the opinion of the study radiation oncologist, can safely receive SRS to the entire tumor; must not be abutting optic apparatus or brainstem and catheter tip will be at least 5mm away from the ventricle; and must be able to be secured and positioned in a stereotactic U-frame mask.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Pregnant or breast-feeding.
  2. Patients with known potentially anaphylactic allergic reactions to gadolinium-DTPA.
  3. Patients who cannot undergo MRI with contrast or SPECT/CT.
  4. Patients with evidence of tumor in the brainstem, cerebellum, optic apparatus, or spinal cord, radiological evidence of actively growing multifocal disease, or .
  5. Patients \< 12 weeks from the end of radiation therapy, unless they have two progressive scans at least 4 weeks apart, have progression outside of the radiation field, or have histologic confirmation of progression.
  6. Severe, active comorbidity, including any of the following:

    1. Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization;
    2. Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months;
    3. Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of study initiation;
    4. exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy;
    5. Known hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects;
    6. Known disorder, such as ;
    7. Major medical illnesses or psychiatric impairments that, in the investigator's opinion, will prevent administration or completion of protocol therapy;
    8. Active connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma that, in the opinion of the treating physician, may put the patient at high risk for radiation toxicity.
  7. Co-medication that may interfere with study results; e.g. immuno-suppressive agents other than .
  8. Prior, unrelated requiring current active treatment with the exception of cervical carcinoma in situ and adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin;
  9. Current, recent (within 4 weeks of the administration of this study agent), or planned participation in another experimental therapeutic drug study.
  10. Patients may not have received chemotherapy or bevacizumab ≤ 4 weeks [except for nitrosourea (6 weeks) or metronomic dosed chemotherapy such as daily etoposide or cyclophosphamide (1 week)] prior to unless patients have recovered from side effects of such therapy.
  11. Patients with an active infection requiring intravenous treatment or having an unexplained febrile illness (Tmax > 99.5 F, 37.5 C).
  12. Patients on greater than 4 mg per day of dexamethasone within the 2 weeks prior to CAR T Cell infusion.
  13. Prior therapy targeted to EGFRvIII.
  14. Prior history of brain SRS, (patients who have received external beam radiation per standard of care are allowed).
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(18)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Measurable disease

The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.

The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.

Biopsy and archival tissue

A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.

Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.

Karnofsky performance status (KPS)

A 0–100 scale of how well someone can carry out everyday activities. 100 is no complaints and no signs of illness; 70 is able to look after yourself but not to work or keep up normal activity; 50 is needing considerable help and frequent medical care.

Studies often ask for 60 or 70 and above. Your doctor gives the score.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.

It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.

Platelets

Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

Bilirubin

A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.

Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.

ULN (upper limit of normal)

The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.

“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Leptomeningeal disease

Cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges, the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid between them. It is not the same as brain metastases.

Criteria often treat it separately, and many studies leave it out even where treated brain metastases are allowed.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Autoimmune disease

A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.

Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

Cancer (malignancy)

Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.

Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
2 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    EGFRvIII-CARs

    Gamma-retroviral MSGV1 139 scFv EGFRvIII CAR gene-modified T cells

    Biological: EGFRvIII-CARs

Interventions

  • BiologicalEGFRvIII-CARs

    Gamma-retroviral MSGV1 139 scFv EGFRvIII CAR gene-modified T cells

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Determination of Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)

    MTD of EGFRvIII-CAR gene-modified T cells when administered intracerebrally by CED after SRS in patients with recurrent GBM

    Time frame: 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assessment of T Cell trafficking within the brain tumor

    Change in volume of distribution and maximal percentage of enhanced tumor volume covered

    Time frame: 2 days

  2. Assessment of T cell trafficking systemically

    Change in the volume of distribution of 111In-labeled EGFRvIII-CARs present in each body area (neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities)

    Time frame: 2 days

  3. Median survival

    The time between SRS / CAR treatment and death or last follow-up

    Time frame: 1 year

  4. Median progression-free survival

    The time between SRS / CAR treatment and first failure (death or disease progression)

    Time frame: 1 year

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Duke University Medical Center
    Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
08

References and documents

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from May 2018 to primary completion in Sep 2019, 15 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Sep 13, 2017
First posted
Sep 14, 2017
StartActual
May 30, 2018
Primary completionActual
Sep 19, 2019
CompletionActual
Jun 30, 2020
Last update
Apr 5, 2021
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 5, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03283631
Lead sponsor
Gary Archer Ph.D.
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI), Duke Cancer Institute
Responsible party
Gary Archer Ph.D. (Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Duke University) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Sep 14, 2017
Start date
May 30, 2018
Primary completion
Sep 19, 2019
Completion
Jun 30, 2020
Last update
Apr 5, 2021

Study contacts

Daniel Landi, MD
principal investigator · Duke University
David Ashley, MBBS, FRACP, PhD
principal investigator · Duke University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is terminated, as verified in Apr 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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