Phase 1 Study of Locoregional Injections of Ex Vivo Expanded Natural Killer Cells
Launched by NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · Feb 3, 2020
Trial Information
Current as of July 21, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is testing a new treatment for patients with high-grade gliomas, which are aggressive brain tumors. The treatment involves giving patients special immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells that have been expanded (increased in number) outside the body before being injected back into the tumor site. Each patient will receive this treatment up to 12 times over several weeks, with infusions happening once a week for three weeks, followed by a rest week. The goal is to see how well this therapy works and whether it can help manage the tumor.
To be eligible for the trial, patients must have a recurrent, progressive, or hard-to-treat brain tumor, and they should be able to undergo a specific procedure to place a device that helps deliver the treatment. Other important criteria include having certain levels of physical ability and organ function, and having completed prior cancer treatments within specific time frames. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis:
- • Recurrent, refractory, or progressive malignant CNS tumor
- • Patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of a CNS tumor that is recurrent, progressive, or refractory with the exception of diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG). All tumors must have histologic verification at either the time of diagnosis or recurrence.
- • Patients should be deemed candidate for placement of an Ommaya reservoir placed intra-cavitary/intra-tumoral or a programable VP shunt.
- • Measurable residual tumor after surgery is not required for study entry.
- • Resection cavity needs to be at least 2 cm x 2 cm in two dimensions on imaging for patients deemed as candidates for an intratumoral infusion via an Ommaya reservoir.
- • Performance score: Lansky score of 50 or greater if ≤ 16 years of age or a Karnofsky score of 50 or greater if \> 16 years of age. Participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
- • Adequate bone marrow function, without transfusion or growth factors within 21 days of NK cell administration.
- • Adequate liver function
- • Adequate Renal Function
- • Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio
- • Patients of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception
- • Adequate neurologic function defined
- Prior Therapy:
- • Chemotherapy
- • All patients must have received their last dose of known myelosuppressive anticancer therapy at least 21 days prior to enrollment or at least 42 days of nitrosourea.
- • For patients who have received prior bevacizumab, at least 6 weeks must have elapsed prior to enrollment.
- * Biologic or investigational agent (anti-neoplastic, non-myelosuppressive):
- • Patient must have recovered from any acute toxicity potentially related to the agent and received their last dose of the investigational or biologic agent ≥ 14 days prior to study enrollment.
- • For agents with known adverse events occurring beyond 14 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur.
- • At least 12 weeks since the completion of any immunotherapies or cell therapies.
- • Radiation Therapy
- • Focal radiation therapy \> 6 weeks prior to enrollment.
- • Craniospinal irradiation \>12 weeks.
- • Stem Cell Transplant.
- Patient must be:
- • ≥ 6 months since allogeneic stem cell transplant prior to enrollment with no evidence of active graft vs. host disease.
- • ≥ 3 months since autologous stem cell transplant prior to enrollment.
- • • Growth Factors
- • Patients must be off all colony- forming growth factor(s) for at least 1 week prior to enrollment (e.g., filgrastim, sargramostim or erythropoietin).
- • 2 weeks must have elapsed if patients received long-acting formulations.
- • • Corticosteroids
- • Patients who are receiving dexamethasone must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least 1 week prior to enrollment.
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • Patients with intra- or extra-CNS metastasis or multi-focal disease.
- • Patients with diffuse midline gliomas or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (primary or recurrent).
- • Pregnant or lactating patients.
- • Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.
- • Evidence of active uncontrolled infection or unstable or severe intercurrent medical conditions.
- • Any medical condition that precludes surgery.
- • Patients with a known disorder that affects their immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or an auto- immune disorder requiring systemic cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy are not eligible.
- • Evidence of bleeding diathesis or use of anticoagulant medication or any medication which may increase the risk of bleeding.
- • Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are not eligible.
- • History or current diagnosis of any medical or psychological condition that in the Investigator's opinion, might interfere with the subject's ability to participate
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Nationwide Children's Hospital is a leading pediatric healthcare institution dedicated to advancing child health through innovative clinical research and trials. As a prominent sponsor, the hospital leverages its expertise in pediatric medicine to design and conduct rigorous clinical studies aimed at improving treatment outcomes for children. Committed to excellence in research and patient care, Nationwide Children's Hospital collaborates with a network of healthcare professionals and institutions to translate scientific discoveries into effective therapies, ensuring that the latest advancements in pediatric healthcare are accessible to young patients across the nation.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Sara Khan, MD
Principal Investigator
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported
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