NCT06609928 · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
FH-FOLR1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Treating Pediatric Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
What this study is about
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of FH-FOLR1 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in treating pediatric patients with FOLR1+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or has not responded to previous treatment (refractory).
View original scientific description
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of FH-FOLR1 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in treating pediatric patients with FOLR1+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). CAR T-cell therapy is a type of treatment in which a patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell) are changed in the laboratory so they will attack cancer cells. T cells are taken from a patient's blood. Then the gene for a special receptor that binds to a FOLR1 on the patient's cancer cells is added to the T cells in the laboratory. The special receptor is called a chimeric antigen receptor. Large numbers of the CAR T cells are grown in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion for treatment of certain cancers. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, are given to a patient before the manufactured FH-FOLR1 CAR T cells are infused back into the patient to assist in the CAR T cell activity in the patient. The trial is evaluating if giving FH-FOLR1 CAR T cell therapy is safe and tolerable for pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory AML.
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
- Subject age ≤ 6 years.
- Weight ≥ 7 kilograms.
- AML that expresses FOLR1 by flow cytometry as assessed by Hematologics, Inc. Laboratory and meets one of the below definitions:
- For subjects who have previously received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), any evidence of AML re-emergence post HCT detectable by flow cytometry.
- First relapse of AML ≤ 6 months from initial diagnosis.
- First relapse of AML \> 6 months from initial diagnosis with minimal residual disease (MRD) ≥ 0.05% by flow cytometry after at least one re-induction attempt (one cycle of therapy).
- Second or greater relapse of AML.
- Refractory AML, defined as ≥ 0.1% leukemic cells determined by flow cytometry or \> 1% on biopsy after 2 cycles of chemotherapy.
- Able to tolerate apheresis.
- Life expectancy ≥ 8 weeks.
- Has an appropriate stem cell donor source identified.
- Lansky performance status score of ≥ 50. Subjects who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for purposes of assessing performance status.
- The subject must discontinue all anticancer agents and radiotherapy and, in the opinion of the investigator, have fully recovered from significant acute toxic effects of all prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy:
- Chemotherapy and biologic agents: All chemotherapy and biologic therapy not specifically mentioned below must be discontinued ≥ 14 days prior to enrollment, with the exception of intrathecal chemotherapy for which there is not a required washout period.
- Steroid use: All corticosteroid therapy (unless physiologic replacement dosing) must be discontinued ≥ 7 days prior to enrollment, unless being used to treat graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (if being used to treat GVHD see requirements).
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) use: All TKIs must be discontinued ≥ 3 days prior to enrollment.
- Hydroxyurea: must be discontinued ≥ 1 day prior to enrollment.
- FOLR1 targeting therapy must be discontinued within 30 days prior to enrollment.
- Gene modified cellular therapy:
- Must be at least 30 days from most recent gene modified cell therapy infusion and document no evidence of modified cells in the peripheral blood OR
- Must be at least 60 days from most recent gene modified cell therapy.
- Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN) based on the following:
- Age 1 to \< 2 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.6 mg/dL for male and 0.6 mg/dL for female.
- Age 2 to \< 6 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL for male and 0.8 mg/dL for female.
- Age 6 to \< 10 years: maximum serum creatinine 1 mg/dL for male and 1 mg/dL for female.
- Total bilirubin ≤ 3 times ULN for age OR conjugated bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤ 5 times ULN.
- Shortening fraction ≥ 28% OR ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% as measured by echocardiogram.
- Oxygen saturation ≥ 92% on room air without supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
- Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) ≥ 100 cells/uL.
- Virology testing negative within 3 months prior to enrollment, to include:
- HIV antigen \& antibody.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen.
- Hepatitis C antibody OR if positive, hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is negative.
- Subject and/or legally authorized representative has signed the informed consent form for this study.
Exclusion criteria
- Active malignancy other than acute myeloid leukemia.
- History of symptomatic non-AML central nervous system (CNS) disease or ongoing symptomatic CNS disease requiring medical intervention, including paresis, aphasia, cerebrovascular ischemia/hemorrhage, severe brain injury, dementia, cerebellar disease, organic brain syndrome, psychosis, coordination or movement disorder (subjects with non-febrile seizure disorder controlled on anti-epileptic medication and without seizure activity within 1 month are eligible).
- CNS AML involvement that is symptomatic and in the opinion of the investigator, cannot be controlled during the interval between enrollment and T cell infusion.
- If history of allogeneic stem cell transplant: active GVHD or receiving immunosuppressive therapy for treatment or prevention of GVHD within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
- If history of allogeneic stem cell transplant and patient has received donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) the subject is \< 8 weeks from DLI infusion.
- Presence of active severe infection, defined as:
- Positive blood culture within 48 hours of enrollment, OR
- Fever above 38.2 degrees Celsius (C), AND clinical signs of infection within 48 hours of enrollment.
- Primary immunodeficiency syndrome.
- Subject has received prior virotherapy.
- Subject and/or legally authorized representative unwilling to provide consent/assent for participation in the 15-year follow-up period, required if FH-FOLR1 CAR T cell therapy is administered.
- Presence of any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prohibit the subject from undergoing treatment under this protocol.
- Considered by the investigator to be unable to tolerate a lymphodepleting regimen.
Where
- Seattle, Washington
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 12, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations