NCT07676877 · Nathan Denlinger
Lymphodepletion With Low Dose Total Body Irradiation Before Standard of Care Tisagenlecleucel for the Treatment of Relapsed and Recurrent Large B-cell Lymphoma
What this study is about
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of total body irradiation (TBI) in combination with the usual treatment lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine before tisagenlecleucel (Tisa-cel) and how well the combination works in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). TBI is a common treatment that sends radiation (for example, through x-rays) to the entire body. Lymphodepleting chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, along with TBI helps kill cancer cells in the body and helps prepare the body for the Tisa-cel infusion. Tisagenlecleucel is made using a patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell). A gene for a special receptor called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is added to the T cells in the laboratory. These changed T cells called CAR T cells are grown in large numbers in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion. Tisa-cel binds to a protein called CD19, which is found on some leukemia and lymphoma cells. This helps the body's immune system kill cancer cells. Tisa-cel is a type of CAR T-cell therapy. Giving low dose TBI in combination with the usual treatment lymphodepletion therapy and Tisa-cel may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) LBCL.
View original scientific description
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of total body irradiation (TBI) in combination with standard of care lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine before tisagenlecleucel (Tisa-cel) and how well the combination works in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). TBI is a common treatment that sends radiation (for example, through x-rays) to the entire body. Lymphodepleting chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, along with TBI helps kill cancer cells in the body and helps prepare the body for the Tisa-cel infusion. Tisagenlecleucel is made using a patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell). A gene for a special receptor called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is added to the T cells in the laboratory. These changed T cells called CAR T cells are grown in large numbers in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion. Tisa-cel binds to a protein called CD19, which is found on some leukemia and lymphoma cells. This helps the body's immune system kill cancer cells. Tisa-cel is a type of CAR T-cell therapy. Giving low dose TBI in combination with standard of care lymphodepletion therapy and Tisa-cel may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) LBCL.
Interventions
PROCEDURE
Biospecimen Collection
Undergo blood sample collection
PROCEDURE
Computed Tomography
Undergo PET/CT or CT
DRUG
Cyclophosphamide
Given IV
DRUG
Fludarabine
Given IV
PROCEDURE
Leukapheresis
Undergo leukapheresis
PROCEDURE
Positron Emission Tomography
Undergo PET/CT
BIOLOGICAL
Tisagenlecleucel
Given IV
RADIATION
Total-Body Irradiation
Undergo low dose TBI
Primary outcome measures
Dose-limiting toxicities
Time frame: Up to 30 days after infusion
Adverse events will be graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 5.0. Cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome are graded using American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Consensus grading.
Maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D)
Time frame: Up to 30 days after infusion
Will define the dose as the RP2D for which the isotonic estimate of the toxicity rate is closest to the targeted toxicity rate (i.e., 25%). If there is a tie, the higher dose level when the isotonic estimate is lower than the targeted toxicity rate; and will choose the lower dose level when the isotonic estimate is greater than the targeted toxicity rate.
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
- Eligible for standard of care anti-CD19 CAR-T treatment with Tisa-cel
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Biopsy-confirmed relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after 2 lines of prior therapy
- Qualitative CD19 expression by either immunohistochemistry (IHC) or flow cytometry
- Measurable disease prior to lymphodepletion as determined by Lugano criteria
- Non-RT bridging therapy allowed, but requires re-staging prior to lymphodepletion (LD) to confirm measurable disease
- Adequate performance status Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≤ 2
- Platelets above 75K
- Hemoglobin above 8.0 g/dL without transfusion within 1 week
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) above 1,000 without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) within 1 week
- Total bilirubin \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =\< 3 x ULN
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \> 60 ml/min calculated by the Cockcroft - Gault formula
- Oxygen saturation (SpO2) \> 92% without supplemental oxygen
- Ejection fraction more than 45%
- Patients must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
- For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use a contraceptive method with a failure rate of \< 1% per year during the treatment period and for at least 12 months after Tisa-cel and until CAR T-cells are no longer present by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on two consecutive tests
- A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is postmenarcheal, has not reached a postmenopausal state (\< 12 continuous months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause), and has not undergone surgical sterilization (removal of ovaries and/or uterus). Examples of contraceptive methods with a failure rate of \< 1% per year include bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, hormonal contraceptive s that inhibit ovulation, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices, and copper intrauterine devices
- The reliability of sexual abstinence should be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, or postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception
- For men: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive measures, and agreement to refrain from donating sperm, as defined below:
- With female partners of childbearing potential, men must remain abstinent or use a condom plus an additional contraceptive method that together result in a failure rate of \< 1% per year during the treatment period and for at least 12 months after Tisa-cel infusion and until CAR T-cells are no longer present by qPCR on two consecutive tests. Men must refrain from donating sperm during this same period
- With pregnant female partners, men must remain abstinent or use a condom during the treatment period and for at least 6 months after Tisa-cel infusion to avoid potential embryonal or fetal exposure. The reliability of sexual abstinence should be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, or postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception
- For patients with prior irradiation: the study radiation oncologist co-investigator will review the patient's prior history of radiation to confirm that the investigational low dose total body irradiation is feasible and safe to respect the maximum cumulative organ radiation exposure
Exclusion criteria
- Active central nervous system (CNS) disease at screening or prior to lymphodepletion
- Prior therapy with autologous or allogenic CAR-T or CAR-natural killer (NK) cell therapy
- Prior anti-CD19 therapies (such as, but not limited to tafasitamab or loncastuximab)
- Prior allogeneic stem cell transplant
- Bridging therapy with radiation not allowed
- Any contra-indications to receive low-dose TBI, standard of care lymphodepleting chemotherapy or Tisa-cel per treating physician
- A minimum of 28 days must have elapsed between prior treatment with investigational agent(s) and start of lymphodepletion
- Uncontrolled major medical problem as infections
- Active malignancy, other than non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ (e.g. cervix, bladder, breast). Patients 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 (e.g. low Gleason score prostate cancer)
- Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary abnormalities or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women are excluded from this study because CAR-T cell therapy may be associated with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test. Because there is an unknown, but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with CAR-T cells, breastfeeding should be discontinued. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study
- Evidence of myelodysplasia or cytogenetic abnormality indicative of myelodysplasia on any bone marrow biopsy prior to initiation of therapy
- Active hepatitis B or C as indicated by serology (for details please refer to Novartis Leukapheresis Reference Manual version \[v\] 4)
- Patients with history of clinically relevant CNS pathology such as epilepsy, seizure disorders, paresis, aphasia, uncontrolled cerebrovascular disease, severe brain injuries, dementia and Parkinson's disease
- History of autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) with requirement of systemic immunosuppressive medication within 6 months
- Live vaccines given in 28 days prior to lymphodepleting chemotherapy
- Active substance use disorders
Where
- Columbus, Ohio
Collaborators
Novartis
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 Oct 9, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations