Phase 1 study of base edited CAR7 T cells to treat T cell malignancies (TvT CAR7)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Phase 1 study of base edited CAR7 T cells to treat T cell malignancies (TvT CAR7)

  • IRAS ID

    1004379

  • Contact name

    Waseem Qasim

  • Contact email

    w.qasim@ucl.ac.uk

  • Eudract number

    2021-004312-25

  • ISRCTN Number

    ISRCTN15323014

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    TBC

  • Research summary

    In this phase 1 clinical trial, we are testing an experimental medicine for the first time in children aged 6m up to 16 years with T cell leukaemia, which has come back (relapsed) or is not responding to chemotherapy (refractory).
    The new product is made from white blood cells (T cells) collected from a healthy donor and changed so they can kill other T cells, including leukaemia cells. These ‘ready-made’ CAR T cells have been made using a new technique called Base Editing to modify their DNA code and have been given the code name ‘BE CAR-7’. This technique allows them to work after chemotherapy and also disarms them to prevent effects against normal cells.
    The main purpose of this study is to assess the safety of the ‘BE CAR-7’ therapy and to see if ready-made CAR T cells can get rid of T cell leukaemia ahead of a planned bone marrow transplant that will hopefully prevent the leukaemia from returning. Up to 10 patients will be included in this trial that will take place at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
    Patients will undergo careful screening to confirm that this treatment is adequate for them. If they join the study, we will need to wipe out their existing immune system with chemotherapy prior to BE CAR-7 infusion, as past research indicates that this improves the ability of T-cells to establish and grow.
    Patients will then receive a single infusion of the BE CAR-7 cells. They will be closely monitored via blood and bone marrow tests for safety and to check the levels of BE CAR-7 and leukaemia cells. We expect patients to be in hospital for 4-6 weeks for the BE CAR-7 therapy and the transplant will be scheduled 2-4 weeks after the end of BE CAR7 if leukaemia cells are no longer detectable.
    Patients will be monitored for 1 years every month for the first three months and then every 6 months.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/LO/0001

  • Date of REC Opinion

    25 Mar 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion