A Phase 1 interventional study of C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) and C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, High Grade Glioma and Embryonal Tumor, sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 12 Months to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-03.
Sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
In this study, there are two treatment groups called Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Cohort 1 is for patients with diffuse midline glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, medulloblastoma, or another rare high-grade glioma that expresses GD2. Cohort 2 is for patients with a type of cancer called progressive diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma that expresses GD2.
Because there is no standard treatment at this time, patients are asked to volunteer in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells called T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight infection.
This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat cancer patients. They have shown promise but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Researchers have found from previous research that they can put a new antibody gene into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. GD2 is a protein found on several different cancers. Researchers testing brain cancer cells found that many of these cancers also have GD2 on their surface.
In a study for neuroblastoma in children, a gene called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) was made from an antibody that recognizes GD2. This gene was put into the patients own T cells and given back to 11 patients. The cells did grow for a while but started to disappear from the blood after 2 weeks. The researchers think that if T cells are able to last longer they may have a better chance of killing tumor cells.
In this study, a new gene will be added to the GD2 T cells that can potentially cause the cells to live longer. T cells need substances called cytokines to survive. The gene C7R has been added that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time.
In other studies using T cells researchers found that giving chemotherapy before the T cell infusion can improve the amount of time the T cells stay in the body and therefore the effect the T cells can have. This is called lymphodepletion and it will allow the T cells to expand and stay longer in the body and potentially kill cancer cells more effectively.
After treating 11 patients, the largest safe dose of GD2-CAR T cells given in the vein (IV) was determined. We are now combining an IV infusion with an infusion directly into the brain through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way.
Patients will now be assigned to Cohort 1 and 2 based on their tumor type.
The GD2.C7R T cells are an investigational product not approved by the FDA.
The purpose of this study is to combine infusions into the vein in the first treatment cycle with infusions directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain (intracerebroventricularly) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt for infusions cycles 2-24. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and CSF and what affect they have on brain cancer.
To prepare the brain cancer specific GD2-C7R T cells, research staff will take some blood from the patient. The researchers will grow the GD2.C7R T cells by infecting the T cells with a retroviral vector (a special virus that can carry a new gene into cells) containing one gene that can recognize and kill brain cancer cells GD2.CAR and the new gene called C7R that will help these cells survive longer. After the new genes have been put into the T cells, the cells will be tested to make sure that they kill GD2-positive brain cancer cells.
All patients on this study are required to have an Ommaya catheter in place prior to treatment as a precaution and for infusion of the T cells. This is a special catheter that leads to the tumor, the cavity left in the brain after surgical removal of the tumor, or into the fluid-filled space in the brain. Catheter placement is done by a surgeon and requires anesthesia and is not part of this study. Patients who had a programmable VP shunt placed for other clinical reasons are also eligible.
Because the researchers are growing the cells in the laboratory, blood to test for infectious viruses such as hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) will be collected, and patients will complete a blood donor questionnaire.
The cells generated will be frozen and stored to give back to the patient. Because patients will have received cells with a new gene in them patients will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.
All patients will be given the IV treatment and the dose is adjusted based on body weight and height. Patients in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 will then be assigned a dose of GD2-C7R T cells to be given directly into the brain (intracerebroventricularly ICV) via Ommaya or programmable VP shunt. .
In this study, patients will receive the GD2-C7R cells and also receive cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine in cases of fludarabine shortage). These two drugs are standard chemotherapy medicines and may be given before the T cells to make space in the blood for the T cells to grow after receiving them.
Cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine) will be given intravenously (through an IV needle inserted in a vein or a central line) for 2 days and then fludarabine (or clofarabine) alone on the third day.
Before patients receive IV T cell infusion, patients may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. Patients will receive GD2-C7R cells through an IV. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will be monitored for 5 days.
Treatment for 2nd and subsequent treatment cycles:
Cohort 1: Patients will be given an injection of GD2-C7R T cells intracerebroventricularly (ICV) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. The patient will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Cohort 2: On Day 0, patients will receive an injection of GD2-C7R cells intracebroventricularly through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. Patients will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Patients will be monitored at least 5 days after each infusion and until resolution of CRS and neurotoxicity. Starting with the 3rd treatment cycle the minimum inpatient monitoring can be decreased to 3 days if the prior treatment cycle was tolerated. If the patient develops fevers or other concerning symptoms after discharge from the hospital within the safety observation period of 4 weeks, the patient will be readmitted to the hospital for close monitoring for at least one night.
All patients will have follow-up visits at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8, then at months 3, 6, 9, and 12, and then twice a year for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years for a total of 15 years, with additional neurological evaluations in the first 4 to 6 weeks. The patient will also have scheduled disease evaluations after the T-cell injection between weeks 4 to 6 and then as clinically needed.
After disease re-evaluation, the patient may be eligible to receive up to 24 additional cycles of T cells if the following criteria are met: (1) The disease has not gotten worse and/or it seems the patient may benefit in the future from an additional dose. (2) The patient has not had a severe side effect caused by the infusion of GD2-C7R T cells. The dose will be at the same dose level as the first ICV infusion and separated by at least 4 weeks such that the researchers can make sure there are no severe side effects between infusions. If the patient receives an additional dose of GD2-C7R T-cells, then the patient will need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion as well to monitor for side effects. Starting with the 4th cycle the minimum time in Houston can further be reduced to 1 week if the previous cycles were well tolerated.
Medical tests before treatment--
Before being treated, the patient will receive a series of standard medical tests:
Medical tests during and after treatment--
The patient will receive standard medical tests when they are getting the infusions and afterwards:
Spinal Fluid Tests: Spinal fluid will be drawn from the patient's existing Ommaya reservoir or VP shunt (if clinically feasible) at the time of ICV infusion and at week 1, and 4 and possibly other timepoints if helpful for clinical care. This procedure can be done at the bedside under local anesthesia and 1-10 ml of spinal fluid will be removed. Additional spinal fluid may be removed if the pressure inside the brain is elevated. Additionally, spinal fluid may be removed for clinical reasons, for example testing for a possible infection. Spinal fluid may be used for research purposes, for example to better understand how the infused T cells work, and in future research studies.
To learn more about the way the GD2-C7R T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood will be obtained on the day that chemotherapy starts, the day of the T-cell infusion(s) and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s), 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for the 1st year, every 6 months for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years. The amount of blood taken will be based on weight with up to a maximum of 60 mL (12 teaspoons) of blood to be obtained at any one time. For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 mL (less than 1 teaspoon) per 1 kg of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (has a low red blood cell count).
During the time points listed above, if the GD2-C7R T cells are found in the patient blood at a certain amount, an extra 5 mL (about 1 teaspoon) of blood may need to be collected for additional testing.
If the patient has a procedure where tumor samples are obtained, like a blood is collected or tumor biopsy, a sample will be requested to be used for research purposes.
The patient will receive supportive care for any acute or chronic toxicities, including blood components or antibiotics, and other intervention as appropriate.
119 studies on the registry are indexed under Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma; 39 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 56 is above the median of 30 across 109 interventional studies indexed under Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
Browse Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma studies →Baylor College of Medicine is the lead sponsor of 747 studies on the registry; 110 are open to participants now.
Of its 84 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 45 (54%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Procurement Inclusion Criteria:
Cohort 1:
confirmed, GD2-expressing newly diagnosed DMG/HGG (including pontine) or confirmation of H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. Newly diagnosed is defined as prior to radiographic progression or recurrence.
OR
Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing recurrent, , or progressive DMG/HGG (except pontine) or confirmation of positive H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available.
OR
Recurrent, refractory, or progressive high-grade CNS tumor with confirmed GD2-expression. Examples include: medulloblastoma "CNS embryonal tumors, AT/RT, ependymal tumors, diffuse gliomas or glioneuronal tumors.
Cohort 2:
Recurrent, refractory, or progressive pontine HGG with confirmed GD2-expression or H3K27-altered DMG
Tumors less than 5 cm in maximum dimension at enrollment
Procurement Exclusion Criteria:
Treatment Inclusion Criteria
Cohort 1:
Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing newly diagnosed DMG/HGG (including pontine) or confirmation of H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. Newly diagnosed is defined as prior to radiographic progression or recurrence.
OR
Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing recurrent, refractory, or progressive DMG/HGG (except pontine) or confirmation of positive H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available.
OR
Recurrent, refractory, or progressive high -grade CNS tumor with confirmed GD2-expression. Examples include: medulloblastoma, CNS embryonal tumors, AT/RT, ependymal tumors, diffuse gliomas, or glioneuronal tumors.
Cohort 2:
Recurrent, refractory, or progressive pontine H3K27-altered for DMG or HGG with confirmed GD2-expression.
Tumors less than 5 cm in maximum dimension at enrollment
Organ function:
Treatment Exclusion Criteria
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.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
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.
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.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Relapsed and refractory
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy. In this subsequent phase of the study, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined.
Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)
The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy. In cycles 2-24, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined.
Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)
Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion. Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion. Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles): Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion
Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion. Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion. Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles): Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion
Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) rate
DLT rate is defined as the proportion of subjects with DLT evaluated as per the NCI CTCAE v5.0 with the exception of CRS and neurological toxicities that are related to T cell infusions.
Time frame: 4 weeks post T cell infusion
Response rate according to standard criteria
Anti-tumor response to (C7R)-GD2.CART cell therapy will be evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Time frame: 4-6 weeks post T cell infusion
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Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma →