NCT04223765 · UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
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.
What this study is about
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.
View original scientific description
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.
Interventions
DRUG
CAR.k.28
Three dose levels will be evaluated: Dose level 1 (5x10\^5 cells/kg), Dose level 2 (1x10\^6), and dose level 3 (2x10\^6 cells/kg).
DRUG
Fludarabine
30 mg/m\^2/day IV for 3 consecutive days
DRUG
Cyclophosphamide
500 mg/m\^2/day IV for 3 consecutive days
DRUG
Bendamustine
70 mg/m\^2/day administered over 3 consecutive days.
Primary outcome measures
Number of participants with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability of CAR.κ.28 ATL cells
Time frame: 4 weeks
Toxicity is classified and graded using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 5.0). Grade 1 Mild; asymptomatic or mild symptoms; intervention not indicated. Grade 2 Moderate; minimal, local or noninvasive intervention indicated; limiting instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Grade 3 Severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization indicated; disabling; limiting self care ADL. Grade 4 Life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated. Grade 5 Death related to Adverse Event (AE). Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) symptoms will be graded per American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) ICANS Consensus Grading for Adults (scale from 1-mild to 4-critical) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) symptoms will be graded according to ASBMT CRS Consensus Grading (a scale from 1-mild to 5-death).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- for the Study Unless otherwise noted, subjects must meet all of the following criteria to participate in this study:
- Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information.
- Adults ≥18 years of age.
- 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 central nervous system (CNS) disease will not be excluded as long as it has been stable for 3 months Subjects with bone marrow only involvement are eligible
- Subjects relapsed after autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant are eligible for this study.
- 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.
- 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)
- For indolent lymphomas, subjects must have received at least 2 prior lines of therapy for their lymphoma
- 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
- 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 at the investigator's discretion.
- 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).
- Karnofsky score of \> 60%
- 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 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. 2 Subject is pregnant or lactating. 3 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. 4 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. Eligibility Criteria to be Met Prior to Procurement
- Subject has signed a consent to undergo cell procurement.
- Evidence of adequate organ function as defined by:
- 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 ≤ 2 x ULN
- Imaging results from within 120 days prior to procurement to assess presence of active disease.
- Confirmed kappa-positive expression on lymphoma or CLL/SLL tissue or bone marrow sample (archival or fresh) as confirmed by pathology.
- 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
- 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
- Written informed consent to enroll in the CAR-T cell therapy trial must be obtained prior to lymphodepletion.
- 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 be imaged within 10 days prior to lymphodepletion.
- 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 ≤2 x ULN
- 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
- 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.
- In subjects with CLL/SLL, a bone marrow biopsy within 28 days prior to lymphodepletion.
- In subjects with WM/LPL, a bone marrow biopsy within 90 days prior to lymphodepletion.
- Subjects must have autologous transduced activated T-cells that meet the Certificate of Analysis (CofA) acceptance criteria.
- Has not received any tumor vaccines within the previous six weeks prior to lymphodepletion.
- Has not received investigational agent or cancer-directed therapy within the previous 3 weeks, or 5 half-lives (whichever is shorter), prior to lymphodepletion.
- 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
- Subject is not taking a prohibited or contraindicated medication listed in the protocol. 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.
- No evidence of uncontrolled infection or sepsis. Eligibility Criteria to be Met Prior to Cell Infusion After Lymphodepletion
- No evidence of uncontrolled infection or sepsis.
- Evidence of adequate organ function as defined by:
- Total bilirubin ≤2 × ULN, unless attributed to Gilbert's syndrome
- AST \< 5 × ULN
- ALT \< 5 × ULN
- Creatinine ≤ 3 x ULN
- Subject has no clinical indication of rapidly progressing disease in the opinion of the clinical investigator.
- Subject is a good candidate for treatment with CAR.κ.28 cell product per the clinical investigator's discretion.
Where
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 20, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations