Study of Kappa Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Lymphocytes Co-Expressing the Kappa and CD28 CARs for Relapsed/Refractory Kappa+ Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma.

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2038-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study will combine both T cells and antibodies in order to create a more effective treatment. The treatment tested in this study uses modified T-cells called Autologous T Lymphocyte Chimeric Antigen Receptor (ATLCAR) cells targeted against the kappa light chain antibody on cancer cells. For this study, the anti-kappa light chain antibody has been changed so instead of floating free in the blood, a part of it is now joined to the T cells. Only the part of the antibody that sticks to the lymphoma cells is attached to the T cells. When an antibody is joined to a T cell in this way, it is called a chimeric receptor. The kappa light chain chimeric (combination) receptor-activated T cells are called ATLCAR.κ.28 cells. These cells may be able to destroy lymphoma cancer cells. They do not, however, last very long in the body so their chances of fighting the cancer are unknown.

Previous studies have shown that a new gene can be put into T cells to increase their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. A gene is a unit of DNA. Genes make up the chemical structure carrying your genetic information that may determine human characteristics (i.e., eye color, height and sex). The new gene that is put in the T cells in this study makes an antibody called an anti-kappa light chain. This anti-kappa light chain antibody usually floats around in the blood. The antibody can detect and stick to cancer cells called lymphoma cells because they have a substance on the outside of the cells called kappa light chains.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether receiving the ATLCAR.κ.28 cells is safe and tolerable and learn more about the side effects and how effective these cells are in fighting lymphoma. Initially, the study doctors will test different doses of the ATLCAR.κ.28, to see which dose is safer for use in lymphoma patients. Once a safe dose is identified, the study team will administer this dose to more patients, to learn about how these cells affect lymphoma cancer cells and identify other side effects they might have on the body.

This is the first time ATLCAR.κ.28 cells are given to patients with lymphoma. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has not approved giving ATLCAR.κ.28 as treatment for lymphoma. This is the first step in determining whether giving ATLCAR.κ.28 to others with lymphoma in the future will help them.

• Phase: Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Treatments: Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Cyclophosphamide; Fludarabine; Fludarabine phosphate

Criteria

SUBJECT ELIGIBILITY

Note: During the period of cell procurement and CAR.κ.28 T cell production, subjects are allowed to receive additional standard of care chemotherapy to stabilize their disease if the treating physician feels it is in the subject's best interest. For subjects requiring bridging chemotherapy while awaiting manufacture of their CAR.κ.28 T-cells, details regarding treatment(s) administered including dose, frequency, number of cycles, etc. will be collected.

Inclusion Criteria for the Study

Unless otherwise noted, subjects must meet all of the following criteria to participate in this study:

1. Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information.

2. Adults ≥18 years of age.

3. Diagnosis of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma OR histologically confirmed B-cell NHL, including the following types defined by WHO 2016:

Aggressive Lymphomas:

• DLBCL not otherwise specified (NOS)

• T cell/histiocyte rich large B cell lymphoma; primary cutaneous DLBCL, leg type; EBV-positive DLBCL NOS; DLBCL associated with chronic inflammation; Lymphomatoid granulomatosis; Large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement; Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma; ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma

• Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma

• High grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement; high grade B-cell lymphoma, NOS

• B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between DLBCL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma

• Transformation of indolent lymphoma or CLL to DLBCL will also be included

• Burkitt lymphoma

Indolent Lymphomas:

• Follicular lymphoma grade 1-3b

• Splenic marginal zone lymphoma

• Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

• Nodal marginal zone lymphoma

• Mantle cell lymphoma

• Subjects with CNS disease will not be excluded as long it has been stable for 3 months

Subjects with bone marrow only involvement are eligible

4. Subjects relapsed after autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant are eligible for this study.

5. Subjects who have received prior CD19-directed CAR therapies for relapsed/refractory disease are eligible for this study. However, at least 3 months must have passed since the subject received CD19 CAR-T cells.

6. Patients with aggressive lymphomas must have relapsed or refractory disease after having received at least 2 prior lines of systemic therapy, including, at a minimum:

• An anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

• An anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimen (if eligible)

• An autologous stem cell transplant (if eligible)

7. For indolent lymphomas, subjects must have received at least 2 prior lines of therapy for their lymphoma

8. Subjects with specifically relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma must have received at least 2 prior therapy regimens which can include, but not limited to:

• A combination of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and an alkylating agent, OR

• A Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, OR

• A BCL-2 inhibitor in combination with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

9. Subjects with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.

10. Kappa-positive expression on lymphoma or CLL/SLL tissue sample, or kappa restriction on flow cytometry (archival or fresh) as confirmed by institutional hematopathology standard (result must be confirmed at the time of cell procurement).

11. Karnofsky score of > 60% (see Appendix C).

12. Female subjects of childbearing potential must be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study, and for 6 months after the study is concluded. Female subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year. The two birth control methods can be composed of: two barrier methods or a barrier method plus a hormonal method to prevent pregnancy. Female subjects of childbearing potential will also be instructed to tell their male partners to use a condom.

Exclusion Criteria for the Study

Subjects meeting any of the following exclusion criteria will not be able to participate in this study (procurement, lymphodepletion and cell infusion):

1. A diagnosis of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma.

2. A history of intolerance to bendamustine or fludarabine. Note: subjects with known history of intolerance to bendamustine may be considered for lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine at the discretion of the clinical investigator.

3. Subject is pregnant or lactating.

4. Tumor in a location where enlargement could cause airway obstruction.

5. Current use of systemic corticosteroids at doses ≥10 mg prednisone daily or its equivalent; those receiving <10 mg daily may be enrolled at discretion of investigator.

6. Active infection with HTLV, HCV (can be pending at the time of cell procurement; only those samples confirming lack of active infection will be used to generate transduced cells) defined as not being well controlled on therapy as well as no history of HIV. Subjects are required to have negative HIV antibody, negative HTLV1 and HTLV2 antibodies, negative hepatitis B surface antigen, and negative HCV antibody or viral load.

7. Subjects who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (can be pending at the time of cell procurement; only those samples confirming lack of active infection will be used to generate transduced cells) are excluded. Subjects who are hepatitis B surface antigen negative but hepatitis B core antibody positive must have their hepatitis B viral load checked. These subjects will be excluded if their viral load is positive at baseline (when tested during screening for procurement). Subjects who are core antibody positive and viral load negative at baseline will be considered eligible.

Eligibility Criteria to be Met Prior to Procurement

1. Subject has signed a consent to undergo cell procurement.

2. Evidence of adequate organ function as defined by:

• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (transfusion independent for 2 weeks prior to enrollment)

• Total bilirubin <1.5 × ULN (subjects with Gilbert's syndrome may be enrolled despite a total bilirubin level >1.5 mg/dL if their conjugated bilirubin is <1.5 × ULN)

• AST and ALT < 5x ULN

• Pulse oximetry of >90% on room air

• Creatinine ≤1.5x ULN or Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) >60 mL/min per Cockcroft and Gault (see Appendix F).

3. Imaging results from within 120 days prior to procurement to assess presence of active disease.

4. Confirmed kappa-positive expression on lymphoma or CLL/SLL tissue or bone marrow sample (archival or fresh) as confirmed by pathology.

5. Subject has adequate cardiac function, defined as:

• No ECG evidence of acute ischemia

• No ECG evidence of active, clinically significant conduction system abnormalities

• Prior to study entry, any ECG abnormality at screening not felt to put the subject at risk has to be documented by the investigator as not medically significant

• No uncontrolled angina or severe ventricular arrhythmia

• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40% as measured by ECHO, with no additional evidence of decompensated heart failure, performed within 30 days prior to procurement

6. In women of child-bearing potential, negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to procurement or documentation that the subject is post-menopausal. Post-menopausal status must be confirmed with documentation of absence of menses for > 1 year.

Eligibility Criteria to be Met Prior to Lymphodepletion

1. Written informed consent to enroll in the CAR-T cell therapy trial must be obtained prior to lymphodepletion.

2. The last bridging therapy should be completed at least 3 weeks prior to lymphodepletion. Subjects who have received bridging therapy will be reassessed with imaging within 5 days prior to lymphodepletion and at least 3 weeks after bridging therapy. If a patient did not receive bridging chemotherapy, they will e imaged within 10 days prior to lymphodepletion.

3. Adequate organ function per the following criteria are required prior to lymphodepletion:

• Adequate bone marrow function, as defined by:

• ANC >1.0 × 109/L

• Platelets >50 × 109/L unless related to lymphoma involvement (independent of transfusion within 7 days of lymphodepletion)

• Total bilirubin ≤1.5× ULN (subjects with Gilbert's syndrome may be enrolled despite a total bilirubin level >1.5 mg/dL if their conjugated bilirubin is <1.5× ULN)

• AST and ALT ≤ 5× ULN

• Pulse oximetry of > 90% on room air

• Creatinine <1.5x ULN or Creatinine clearance (CrCl) >60 mL/min per Cockcroft and Gault (see Appendix F),

4. If subjects display any clinical signs or symptoms of cardiac dysfunction after receiving bridging chemotherapy, they will undergo repeat ECG and ECHO to reassess their cardiac function and status

5. In female subjects of childbearing potential, a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to l ymphodepletion or documentation that the subject is post-menopausal or has been surgically sterilized.

Post-menopausal status must be confirmed with documentation of absence of menses for > 1 year.

6. In subjects with CLL/SLL, a bone marrow biopsy within 28 days prior to lymphodepletion.

7. Subjects must have autologous transduced activated T-cells that meet the Certificate of Analysis (CofA) acceptance criteria.

8. Has not received any investigational agents or received any tumor vaccines within the previous six weeks prior to lymphodepletion.

9. Has not received chemotherapy or immunotherapy within the previous 3 weeks prior to lymphodepletion.

10. Subjects may not be receiving strong inhibitors of CYP1A2 (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin) up through

72 hours after the last dose of bendamustine, as these may increase plasma concentrations of bendamustine, and decrease plasma concentrations of its metabolites. See http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/ddis/ for an updated list of strong inhibitors of CYP1A2 (additionally, see Appendix I: Prohibited Medications or Those to Use with Caution) 11 Subject is not taking a prohibited or contraindicated medication listed in Section 5.12 and Appendix I: Prohibited Medications or Those to Use with Caution prior to lymphodepletion. Contraindicated medications should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to the scheduled lymphodepletion or by at least 5 half-lives of the contraindicated medication, whichever is shorter. 12 No evidence of uncontrolled infection or sepsis.

Eligibility Criteria to be Met Prior to Cell Infusion After Lymphodepletion

1. No evidence of uncontrolled infection or sepsis.

2. Evidence of adequate organ function as defined by:

1. Total bilirubin ≤2 × ULN, unless attributed to Gilbert's syndrome

2. AST < 5 × ULN

3. ALT < 5 × ULN

4. Creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN or Creatinine clearance (CrCl) >60 mL/min per Cockcroft and Gault (see Appendix F)

3. Subject has no clinical indication of rapidly progressing disease in the opinion of the clinical investigator.

4. Subject is a good candidate for treatment with CAR.κ.28 cell product per the clinical investigator's discretion.