NCT07672483 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
IL-12 Genetically Engineered Myeloid Cells in Participants With Relapsed, Refractory Solid Tumors
What this study is about
Background: Myeloid cells are a type of immune cell found in most tumors. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a protein that helps the immune system kill tumor cells. Researchers want to know if myeloid cells that have been genetically engineered to produce IL-12 (IL-12 GEMys) can activate the immune system to attack cancer cells in solid tumors. Objective: To test IL-12 GEMys in people with cancer.
View original scientific description
Background: Myeloid cells are a type of immune cell found in most tumors. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a protein that helps the immune system kill tumor cells. Researchers want to know if myeloid cells that have been genetically engineered to produce IL-12 (IL-12 GEMys) can activate the immune system to attack cancer cells in solid tumors. Objective: To test IL-12 GEMys in people with cancer. Eligibility People aged 18 years and older with cancer that returned or failed to respond to treatment. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will have tests of their heart and lung function. They will have imaging scans of their tumors. A sample of tumor tissue may be taken. Participants will have daily injections for few days to prepare them to undergo leukapheresis: Blood will be taken from the body through a needle inserted into a vein. The blood will pass through a machine that separates out stem cells. The remaining blood will be returned to the body through a different needle. The collected stem cells will be modified in a lab to create IL-12 GEMys. Participants will check in to the hospital. They will receive drugs for 5 days to prepare their body for the treatment. Then they will have their own IL-12 GEMys infused through a needle inserted into a vein. They will stay in the hospital until they are well enough to go home. This may be 7 to 14 days or longer. Some participants may receive a second treatment with IL-12 GEMys within 2 years after the first. Participants will have follow-up visits for about 5 years. These will include imaging scans and blood tests.
Interventions
BIOLOGICAL
IL-12 GEMys
Cell therapy generated from autologous CD34+ cells. Administered on Day 0 as an IV infusion not to exceed 20ml/kg or 40ml/kg depending on DMSO levels.
DRUG
Cyclophosphamide
Lymphodepletive chemotherapy administered as 30 mg/kg IV infusion over 1 hour daily on days -6 and -5.
DRUG
Fludarabine
Lymphodeleptive chemotherapy administered as 25 mg/m\^2 IV infusion over 30 minutes on days -6 through -2.
DRUG
Cetuximab
Administered as IV infusion at 500 mg/m\^2, if needed.
Primary outcome measures
Part A (Escalation): Determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of IL-12
Time frame: 0-28 Days
Maximum dosage of GEMys IL-12 with which no more than 1 participant experience dose limiting toxicity as assessed by grade of adverse event
Part B (Expansion): Assess whether IL-12 or IFNy levels, or both increase in tumors post treatment at the RP2D
Time frame: 1 week
Increased IL-12 and/or IFNy levels and IL-12 production as measured by ELISA, using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test
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
- Relapsed or refractory solid tumor malignancies for whom standard measures do not exist or are no longer effective. Must have histologic confirmation of original diagnosis or relapse.
- Participants must have evaluable (measurable or not measurable) disease.
- Part B only: Participants must:
- be willing to undergo mandatory pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies. Tumor tissue should either be taken from non-target lesions or from target lesions where sampling can be done without impacting lesion measurement and --have disease amenable to biopsy to allow to perform pre- and post-tumor biopsies.
- Participants with treated brain metastases are eligible if follow-up brain imaging after central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy and close monitoring for over 3 months shows no active progression.
- At least one prior cancer treatment when upfront standard therapy exists. Note: There is no limit to the number or type of prior treatment regimens.
- The indicated time must have elapsed since any systemic anti-cancer therapy prior to leukapheresis.
- Age \>= 18 years.
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status \<= 2. Note: Participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are able to maintain supine position independently in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of performance status.
- Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:
- Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1000/mm\^3
- Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) \>= 8 g/dL (transfusion independent)
- Prothrombin time (PT) \<= 1.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (Part B only, participants undergoing biopsy)
- Creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/minute/1.73m\^2 (calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) \<= 3 X institutional ULN
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) \<= 3 X institutional ULN
- Total bilirubin \<= 1.5 institutional ULN. Note: In the case of Gilbert's syndrome total bilirubin \<= 3 X ULN
- Serum albumin \>= 2.7 g/dL
- Ejection fraction of \>= 45% and no evidence of hemodynamically significant pericardial effusion as determined by an echocardiogram (ECHO).
- QTc interval \< 480 msec
- Oxygen saturation \>92% on room air at rest
- Participants with a clinical history of prolonged smoking (\>= 10 pack-years), lung disease, or current or recent history of respiratory symptoms must have a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) \> 50%.
- Participants seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) must have an undetectable HIV viral load.
- Participants seropositive for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) must have an undetectable HCV viral load
- Participants positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) must have an undetectable Hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral load.
- Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) 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. Note: WOCBP is defined as any woman who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful surgical sterilization or who is not postmenopausal. Men able to father a child must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception (surgical sterilization, abstinence or man may request that partner uses the highly effective form of contraception to fulfill this requirement) at the study entry and up to 7 months after the last dose of study drugs. Men able to father a child must not freeze or donate sperm within the same period.
- Nursing participants must be willing to discontinue nursing from study treatment initiation through 12 months after the last dose of the study drug(s).
- Ability and willingness of participant to enroll on protocol 15-C-0028, Follow-Up Evaluation for Gene-Therapy Related Delayed Adverse Events after Participation in Pediatric Oncology Branch Clinical Trials after 5 years.
- Ability of the participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
Exclusion criteria
- Participants with history of primary CNS tumors or leptomeningeal disease.
- History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, IL-12, or other agents used in the study.
- Concurrent untreated opportunistic infections as evidenced by history, blood test or imaging at screening.
- Active systemic infections requiring anti-infective treatment.
- Any form of primary immunodeficiency (such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease) or secondary/acquired immunodeficiency requiring steroids or other non-steroid immunosuppressive agents.
- History of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) or myelodysplasia/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
- Participants with symptomatic pleural effusions requiring intervention or with recent history (within 3 months) of pleural effusions that required intervention.
- Participants with ischemic symptoms (may include chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and/or pain in the neck, shoulder, jaw or arm) confirmed by stress test OR a history of coronary revascularization (unless the participant has a normal cardiac stress test after revascularization and within 12 months prior to leukapheresis).
- Any form of diagnosed autoimmune disease requiring immune suppression as well as participants with active autoimmune skin diseases such as psoriasis or any history of active systemic autoimmune disease (e.g., Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus) requiring systemic immunosuppression/systemic disease-modifying agents within the last 2 years. Exceptions will be allowed for vitiligo and hypothyroidism that has been stable on thyroid replacement medications for \> 6 weeks prior to leukapheresis.
- Any participant who developed autoimmunity (\>= grade 3 per CTCAE v. 6.0) with checkpoint inhibitor use. Note: Exceptions will be allowed for vitiligo and hypothyroidism that has been stable on thyroid replacement medications for \> 6 weeks prior to leukapheresis.
- Participants who have a major surgical procedure, other than for diagnosis, within 4 weeks prior to leukapheresis or anticipated to need a major surgical procedure during the study.
- History of prior solid organ transplantation.
- Participants that require urgent therapy due to tumor mass effects or spinal cord compression within 2 weeks prior to leukapheresis.
- Any investigational therapy within 2 weeks prior to leukapheresis.
- Pregnancy confirmed with Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-HCG) serum or urine pregnancy test in WOCBP at screening. Note: In case of a suspected false-positive serum or urine test result, additional evaluation must be done to rule out pregnancy.
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness or medical condition(s) evaluated by medical history, physical exam, or situations that would unacceptably increase risk for the participant or impair the ability to evaluate the endpoints of the study.
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
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