Loc3CAR: Locoregional Delivery of B7-H3-CAR T Cells for Pediatric Patients With Primary CNS Tumors

NCT ID: NCT05835687

Last Updated: 2026-01-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 48 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-04-27
• Study Completion Date: 2028-03-31

Brief Summary

Loc3CAR is a Phase I clinical trial evaluating the use of autologous B7-H3-CAR T cells for participants ≤ 21 years old with primary CNS neoplasms. B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via a CNS reservoir catheter. Study participants will be divided into two cohorts: cohort A with B7-H3-positive relapsed/refractory non-brainstem primary CNS tumors, and cohort B with diffuse midline gliomas (DMG). Participants will receive four (4) B7-H3-CAR T cell infusions over a 4 week period. The purpose of this study is to find the maximum (highest) dose of B7-H3-CAR T cells that are safe to give patients with primary brain tumors.

Primary objectives

• To determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) for the locoregional delivery of autologous B7-H3-CAR T cells in patients ≤ 21 years of age with recurrent/refractory B7-H3+ primary CNS tumors (Cohort A) or DMG (Cohort B).

Secondary objectives

• To assess the efficacy, defined as sustained objective response, a partial response (PR) or complete response (CR) observed anytime on active treatment with B7-H3-CAR T cells in patients with relapsed/refractory B7-H3+ primary CNS tumors (Cohort A) or DMG (Cohort B).
• To characterize and monitor neurologic toxicities in patients while on study (Cohort A and B).

Detailed Description

Treatment on this study includes four (4) B7-H3-CAR T cell infusions over a 4 week period. B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via a CNS reservoir catheter without lymphodepleting chemotherapy. The study will evaluate the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of B7-H3-CAR T cells using a 3+3 study design and a 4 week evaluation period. Follow up will occur on this protocol for 1 year after the final B7-H3-CAR T cell infusion and then continue on an institutional long-term follow up protocol to complete 15 years post-infusion.

Conditions

Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor; Diffuse Midline Glioma, H3 K27M-Mutant; Ependymoma; High Grade Glioma; Glioblastoma; Medulloblastoma

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Arm A (relapsed/refractory CNS tumors)

Patients with B7-H3-positive relapsed/refractory non-brainstem primary CNS tumors.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

B7-H3-CAR T cells

Intervention Type: DRUG

Autologous T cells transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing a B7-H3-CAR with a CD28z signaling domain and 41BB ligand (B7-H3-CAR T cells). Four (4) infusions of B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via CNS reservoir catheter.

Arm B (diffuse midline gliomas [DMG])

Patients with DMG.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

B7-H3-CAR T cells

Intervention Type: DRUG

Autologous T cells transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing a B7-H3-CAR with a CD28z signaling domain and 41BB ligand (B7-H3-CAR T cells). Four (4) infusions of B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via CNS reservoir catheter.

Interventions

B7-H3-CAR T cells

Autologous T cells transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing a B7-H3-CAR with a CD28z signaling domain and 41BB ligand (B7-H3-CAR T cells). Four (4) infusions of B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via CNS reservoir catheter.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age ≤ 21 years of age

2. Primary CNS tumor

3. For Cohort A, must have evidence of relapsed or refractory non-brainstem CNS tumor

4. For Cohort B, must meet one of the following criteria:

• Adequate tumor tissue from primary tumor resection or biopsy for central pathology review (i.e., B7-H3 expression evaluation by immunohistochemistry [IHC] or H3K27M mutation if pontine lesion)
• Has a diagnosis of diffuse midline glioma that harbors a mutation associated with this entity (e.g. H3K27M)
• Has presumptive/suspected brainstem high-grade neoplasm with available imaging for central imaging review

5. Life expectancy of > 12 weeks

6. Adult patient, parent or legal guardian can understand and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines

1. Age ≤ 21 years of age

2. Primary CNS tumor with measurable or evaluable disease and meets criteria for either Cohort A or B:

• Cohort A: relapsed/refractory non-brainstem CNS primary tumor AND tumor is B7-H3 positive
• Cohort B: Diffuse midline glioma AND tumor is:

• B7-H3 positive if non-pontine
• OR H3K27-altered diffuse midline pontine glioma
• OR radiographically-confirmed classic/typical DIPG

3. Estimated life expectancy of >12 weeks

4. Karnofsky or Lansky performance score ≥50

5. Participant of childbearing/child-fathering potential agrees to use contraception

6. For females of childbearing age:

• Not pregnant with negative serum pregnancy test
• Not lactating with intent to breastfeed

7. Chemotherapy/biologic therapy must be discontinued ≥ 7 days prior to enrollment

8. The last dose of antibody therapy (including check point inhibitor) must be at least 3 half-lives or 30 days, whichever is shorter, from the time of enrollment

9. At least 30 days from most recent cell infusion prior to enrollment.

10. All systemically administered corticosteroid therapy must be stable or decreasing for ≥1 week prior to enrollment, with a maximum dexamethasone dose of 2.8 mg/m^2/day

11. Meets eligibility for apheresis, or has an apheresis product previously collected at a FACT-accredited program

12. Adult patient, parent or legal guardian can understand and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines

Cohort A

• Relapsed/refractory non-brainstem CNS primary tumor
• Tumor must be considered B7-H3 positive

Cohort B

• Diffuse Midline Glioma - Must meet one of the following criteria

• Tumor is considered B7-H3 positive
• H3K27-altered diffuse midline pontine glioma
• Radiographically-confirmed classic/typical DIPG
• Must complete standard radiation prior to Loc3CAR treatment and be a minimum of 6 weeks post-completion of radiation therapy

All participants

1. Age ≤ 21 years old

2. Primary CNS tumor with measurable or evaluable disease

3. Available autologous T-cell product that has met GMP release criteria

4. Participant has a CNS reservoir catheter (e.g., Ommaya) or programmable shunt

5. First CAR T cell infusion is planned/scheduled ≥ 5 days from CNS surgery, including catheter placement

6. The following treatments must be discontinued for the specified duration prior to treatment enrollment:

• Radiation therapy: ≥ 6 weeks
• Bevacizumab: ≥ 28 days
• Cytotoxic chemotherapy: ≥ 21 days
• Biologic agents: ≥ 7 days
• Antibody therapy: ≥ 3 half-lives or 30 days (whichever is shorter)
• Cellular therapy: ≥ 30 days
• Investigational agent: ≥ 3 half-lives or 30 days (whichever is shorter)
• Corticosteroids: All systemically administered therapy must be stable or decreasing for ≥ 1 week prior to enrollment, with a maximum dexamethasone dose of 2.8 mg/m^2/day. Corticosteroid physiologic replacement therapy for management of pituitary/adrenal axis insufficiency and/or topical administration (e.g. inhaled or dermatologic) is allowed.

7. Estimated life expectancy of >8 weeks

8. Karnofsky or Lansky performance score ≥ 50

9. Echocardiogram with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%

10. Adequate renal function defined as calculated creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73m^2.

11. Adequate pulmonary function defined as forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥50% of predicted value or pulse oximetry ≥90% on room air.

12. Total Bilirubin ≤3 times the upper limit of normal for age.

13. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤5 times the upper limit of normal for age.

14. Hemoglobin >8.0 g/dL (can be transfused).

15. Platelet count >50,000/mm^3 (can be transfused).

16. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1000/uL.

17. Taking anti-seizure medication, or agrees to initiate anti-seizure medication prior to starting study therapy.

18. Has recovered from all NCI CTAE grade III-IV, non-hematologic acute toxicities from prior therapy.

19. Male participants of child-fathering potential agree to use contraception

20. Female participants of childbearing potential:

• Negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to infusion
• Not lactating with intent to breastfeed
• If sexually active, agrees to use birth control until 3 months after T-cell infusion. Male partners should use a condom

21. Adult patient, parent or legal guardian can understand and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participant has other clinically significant medical disorders (e.g. serious infections or significant cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, psychiatric, or other organ dysfunction) that could compromise their ability to tolerate protocol therapy or would interfere with study procedure.

1. Known primary immunodeficiency or acquired immunodeficiency.

2. Known HIV positivity

3. Severe intercurrent bacterial, viral or fungal infection (e.g. active hepatitis B or C infection or adenovirus infection).

4. Rapidly progressive disease

5. Known underlying medical condition for which participation in this trial would not be in the best interest of the participant or that could prevent, limit or confound protocol assessments.

6. Adult patient, Parent, or legal guardian is unwilling or unable to provide consent for participation in a 15 year long-term follow up study.

1. Participant has a non-programmable ventricular shunt that could compromise study therapy

2. Participant has a reservoir catheter or shunt in a location that could compromise study therapy or patient safety

3. Known primary immunodeficiency or acquired immunodeficiency.

4. Known HIV positivity

5. Severe intercurrent bacterial, viral or fungal infection

6. Myocardial infarction, unstable angina, New York Heart Association class III and IV congestive heart failure, myocarditis, or ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication within 6 months prior to study entry

7. Receiving therapy as outlined above during the 'wash-out' period

8. Rapidly progressing disease

9. Received any live vaccines within 30 days

10. Known underlying medical condition for which participation in this trial would not be in the best interest of the participant or that could prevent, limit or confound protocol assessments

11. Adult patient, Parent, or legal guardian is unwilling or unable to provide consent for participation in a 15 year long-term follow up study

12. Evidence of uncontrolled hypertension. Anti-hypertensive medications are permitted if on a stable dose.

13. Uncontrolled seizures

• Maximum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Christopher DeRenzo, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Kelsey Bertrand, MD, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Giedre Krenciute, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Locations

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Tabatha E. Doyle, RN

Role: CONTACT

tabatha.doyle@stjude.org

901-595-2544

Facility Contacts

Tabatha E. Doyle, RN

Role: primary

tabatha.doyle@stjude.org

901-595-2544

Related Links

http://www.stjude.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

http://www.stjude.org/protocols

Clinical Trials Open at St. Jude

http://www.stjude.org/research/clinical-trials.html#c671955e2f6ffa4a5f9cd8cf39931465e1f28ef99042...

St. Jude Brain Tumor Studies

Other Identifiers

NCI-2023-02484

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

Loc3CAR

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id