Bethesda, MDNCT05003895Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Clinical Trial in Bethesda, MD

Access cutting-edge hepatocellular carcinoma treatment through this phase 1 clinical trial at a research site in Bethesda. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI)

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Expert Care in Bethesda

Access hepatocellular carcinoma specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related hepatocellular carcinoma treatment provided free

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Check if you qualify for this hepatocellular carcinoma clinical trial in Bethesda, MD

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Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Bethesda

    Convenient for MD residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Bethesda site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Hepatocellular Carcinoma Study in Bethesda

Background: A new cancer treatment takes a person s own T cells, modifies them in a laboratory so they can better fight cancer cells, and then gives them back to the person. Researchers want to see if this treatment can help people with a certain types of cancer. Objective: To see if a personalized immune treatment, anti-GPC3 CAR-T cells, is safe. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 years and older who have Glypican-3 (GPC3) positive solid tumor malignancy. Design: Participants will be screened with the following: Blood and urine tests Medical history Physical exam Heart function tests Review of their symptoms and their ability to perform their normal activities Tumor biopsy Imaging scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis Participants will have leukapheresis. They may have an IV (intravenous catheter, a small tube put into an arm vein) inserted into each arm or get a central line. Blood will be removed. A machine will separate the white blood cells from their blood. The rest of their blood will be returned to them. Participants will be admitted to the hospital for about 2 weeks. They will get the chemotherapy drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide by IV for 3 days. Then they will receive the modified white blood cells by IV. Participants will have frequent blood draws. They will give blood and tumor samples for research. Participants will have follow-up visits for the next 15 years. Then they will be contacted by email or phone for the rest of their life. If their disease does not get worse after 5 years, they will continue to be invited to do imaging studies every 6 months.

Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Histopathological confirmation of HCC or other solid tumor malignancy by the NCI Laboratory of Pathology
Participants must:
have progressed on at least 1 prior line of treatment OR --been intolerant of at least 1 prior line of treatment.
Participants must have at least 1 focus of disease that is amenable to mandatory tumor biopsy prior to study treatment initiation to determine tumor GPC3 expression and be willing to undergo this. Ideally, the biopsied lesion should not be one of the target measurable lesions, although this can be up to the discretion of the investigators.
Tumor must have GPC3 positivity of \>= 25% by immunohistochemistry on freshly collected biopsy
Participants must have at least 1 measurable lesion by RECIST version 1.1
Participants must have a disease that is not amenable to potentially curative resection, ablation, or transplantation.
Age \>= 18 years.
Performance status (ECOG) 0-1
Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below: ANC: \>= 1,000/mcL Platelets: \>= 75,000/mcL Hemoglobin: \>= 8 g/dL total bilirubin: If cirrhosis present: Part of Child Pugh requirement If no cirrhosis: bilirubin should be \<= 1.5 x ULN ALT or AST: \<= 5 x ULN. Creatinine OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) (eGFR may also be used in place of CrCl) (A): \< 1.5x institution upper limit of normal OR \>= 50 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for participant with creatinine levels, \>= 1.5 X institutional ULN ALT (SGPT)=alanine aminotransferase (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase); AST (SGOT)=aspartate aminotransferase (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase); GFR=glomerular filtration rate; ULN=upper limit of normal. (A)Creatinine clearance (CrCl) or eGFR should be calculated per institutional standard.
Normal cardiac ejection fraction (\>= 50% by echocardiogram) and no evidence of hemodynamically significant pericardial effusion as determined by an echocardiogram within 4 weeks before treatment initiation.
Room air oxygen saturation of 92% or greater.
Treatment-related toxicities must be resolved to \<= grade 1.
For participants with brain metastases: Participants with \<=3 (three or fewer) brain metastases that have been treated with surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery or other form of treatment are eligible. Lesions that have been treated with stereotactic radiosurgery must be clinically stable for one month before protocol treatment.
The study drugs are harmful to developing human fetus. For this reason, women of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraception (hormonal, intrauterine device (IUD), abstinence, surgical sterilization) at the study entry and up to 12 months after the last dose of combined chemotherapy. Men must agree to use an effective method of contraception (barrier, surgical sterilization, abstinence) at the study entry and up to 4 months after the last dose of study drugs. We also recommend men with partners of childbearing potential ask their partners to be on highly effective birth control (hormonal, IUD, surgical sterilization). Men must not freeze or donate sperm within the same period.
HBV infected participants must be on antivirals and have HBV DNA \< 100IU/mL. HCV infected participants can be enrolled with close HCV RNA level monitoring.
Participants must be able to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent.
For participants that do not have a legally authorized representative in place, one must be identified before study treatment starts

Exclusion Criteria

Prior systemic therapy, an investigational therapy, radiation, and/or surgery within 2 weeks prior to treatment initiation.
Prior administration of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies or other agents that in the opinion of the PI can stimulate immune activity and interfere with an infusion of CAR-T cells within 8 weeks prior to treatment initiation.
Child-Pugh class B or C liver function
Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. Note: Participants with a history of abnormal pulmonary function tests but stable obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease may be eligible per PI discretion.
Any form of primary immunodeficiency (e.g. severe combined immunodeficiency).
HIV-positive participants are excluded because HIV causes complicated immune deficiency and study treatment can pose more risks for these participants.
Participants receiving systemic steroids \>= 0.5 mg prednisone equivalent/kg/day. Steroid creams, ointments, and eye drops are allowed. Dose adjustment or discontinuation of medication must occur at least 24 hours prior to conditioning chemotherapy. Use of CART cell therapy in autoimmune diseases has the potential to be associated with serious safety risk. Given that this is an evolving area of research, caution should be exercised and any decision to include participants with autoimmune diseases should be made on a case-bycase basis.
History of severe immediate hypersensitivity reaction to cyclophosphamide or fludarabine.
Hospitalization within 7 days prior to treatment initiation.
Pregnant women are excluded from this study because study therapy can cause fetal harm. Because there is a potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with study therapy, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with study drugs.
Participants who received live or attenuated vaccine or virus-based vaccine within 30 days before initiation of study therapy
Participants with a history of seizure disorder
Participants with an expected life expectancy of less than 3 months before initiation of study therapy.

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Bethesda?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT05003895) has an active research site in Bethesda, MD that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment Options in Bethesda, MD

If you're searching for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment options in Bethesda, MD, this clinical trial (NCT05003895) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Bethesda research site is actively enrolling participants for this phase 1 clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced hepatocellular carcinoma specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all hepatocellular carcinoma clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

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