OsteosarcomaPhase 1VEGASNCT01953900
iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs/Refractory or Metastatic GD2-positive Sarcoma and Neuroblastoma
A Phase 1 study testing GD2 T cells, VZV vaccine and Fludarabine in people with Osteosarcoma and Neuroblastoma, run by Baylor College of Medicine at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-T cells (also called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs) in combination with a varicella zoster vaccine and lymohodepleting chemotherapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Osteosarcoma, Neuroblastoma
- What is being tested?
- GD2 T cells, VZV vaccine and Fludarabine
- Type of treatment
- Vaccines, Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- Apr 2014to 31 Oct 2034
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Procurement:
- Diagnosis of relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma OR relapsed or refractory high risk neuroblastoma not responsive to standard treatment.
- Either previously infected with varicella zoster virus(VZV; chicken pox) or previously vaccinated with VZV vaccine
- Karnofsky/Lansky score of greater than or equal to 50
- Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given copy of informed consent
- Treatment:
Show all 14Show fewer
- Diagnosis of relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma OR relapsed or refractory high risk neuroblastoma not responsive to standard treatment.
- Recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior chemotherapy
- Karnofsky/Lansky score of greater than or equal to 50
- Bilirubin less than or equal to 3x upper limit of normal, AST less than or equal to 5x upper limit of normal, Serum creatinine less than or equal to 2x upper limit of normal, Hgb greater than or equal to 7.0 g/dl, ANC>500/uL, platelets > 50,000/uL
- Pulse oximetry of greater than or equal to 90% on room air
- Sexually active patients must be willing to utilize one of the more effective birth control methods for 6 months after the CTL infusion. Male partner should use a condom.
- Available autologous transduced cytotoxic T lymphocytes with greater than or equal to 20% expression of GD2 CAR and killing of GD2-positive targets greater than or equal to 20% in cytotoxicity assay
- Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given copy of informed consent
Who cannot join
- Procurement:
- Known primary immune deficiency or HIV positivity
- Treatment:
- Severe intercurrent infection
- Known primary immune deficiency or HIV positivity
- Pregnant or lactating
- History of hypersensitivity reactions to murine protein-containing products
- Known allergy to VZV vaccine
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030
About this study
Official title: Vaccination to Enhance the Anti-Tumor Activity of GD2 Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing, VZV-Specific T Cells in Subjects With Advanced Sarcomas and Neuroblastoma (VEGAS)
The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-T cells (also called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs) in combination with a varicella zoster vaccine and lymohodepleting chemotherapy. Additionally, we will learn what the side effects of this treatment are and to see whether this therapy might help patients with advanced osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma. Because there is no standard treatment for recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma at this time or because the currently used treatments do not work fully in all cases, patients are being asked to volunteer to take part in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells.
The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancers. This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are types of proteins that protect the body from infectious diseases and possibly cancer. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including cells infected with viruses and tumor cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. They have shown promise, but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Read more
Investigators have found from previous research that a new gene can be put into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. Investigators now want to see if a new gene can be put in these cells that will let the T cells recognize and kill sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells. The new gene is called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and consists of an antibody called 14g2a that recognizes GD2, a protein that is found on sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells (GD2-CAR). In addition, it contains parts of the CD28 and OX40 genes which can stimulate T cells to make them live longer.
Investigators have found that CAR-T cells can kill some of the tumor, but they don't last very long in the body and so the tumor eventually comes back. T cells that recognize the virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster virus (VZV), remain in the bloodstream for many years especially if they are stimulated or boosted by the VZV vaccine. Investigators will therefore insert the GD2-CAR gene into T cells that recognize VZV. These cells are called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-specific T cells but are referred to as GD2-T cells for simplicity.
Read the detailed description
Patients give blood to make GD2-T cells that are grown and frozen. To get the GD2-CAR to attach to the surface of the T-cell, a gene is inserted into the T-cell. As described in the Brief Summary, the gene contains the GD2-CAR. This is done using part of a virus (known as a retrovirus) that has been put into a vector made for this study and that will carry the antibody gene into the T cell. This retrovirus vector also helps identify the T cells in the patient's blood after they have been injected. Because the patients have received cells with a new gene in them they will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.
When enrolled on this study, patients will be assigned to one of three groups of different doses of GD2-T cells. The first group of patients will receive a lower dose of GD2-T cells. Once that dose schedule proves safe, the next group of patients will be started at the higher dose. Patients will receive treatment with with cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) and fludarabine for 3 days before receiving the T-cell infusion. These drugs will decrease the numbers of your own T cells before we infuse the GD2-T cells.
Patients will receive the GD2-T cells by an intravenous line. Before patients receive the injection, they may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. The injection will take between 1 and 25 minutes. The research team will follow patients in the clinic after the injection for 1 to 4 hours. Two weeks after receiving the dose of GD2-T cells, patients will receive a dose of the VZV vaccine. This will be given as an injection under the skin that will take less than a minute. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital or Houston Methodist Hospital. Patients may need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion so the research team can monitor patients for side effects. The research team will follow patients in the clinic or through communication with their primary doctor after the GD2-T-cell injection.
Medical tests before treatment--
Before being treated, patients will receive a series of standard medical tests:
- Physical exam and History
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- A urine pregnancy test. If you a patient is pregnant, both the patient and her parents will be informed of the pregnancy
- Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies. We will use the imaging study that was used before to follow the patient's tumor (Computer Tomogram (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Positron Emission Tomography(PET/CT)
Medical tests during and after treatment--
Patients will receive standard medical tests when they are getting the infusions and afterwards:
- Physical exams
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies at 6 weeks after the infusion
To learn more about the way the GD2-T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood, based on the patient's weight, up to a maximum of 60 ml (12 teaspoons) of blood will be taken on the day of the GD2-T- cell infusion(s), (before and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s)), 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for 1 year, at 15 months and 18 months, then every 6 months for 4 years, then yearly for a total of 15 years. One additional blood sample might be drawn 3 to 4 days after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s); this is optional. Blood may be drawn at additional time points based on the patient's response to the treatment.
During the time points listed above, if the Tcells are found in patient's blood at a certain amount, an extra 5ml of blood may need to be collected for additional testing.
For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 ml (less than 1 teaspoon) per 2.2 pounds of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (have a low red blood cell count).
- Conditions
- Osteosarcoma, Neuroblastoma
- Being tested
- GD2 T cells, VZV vaccine, Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide
- Keywords
- Osteosarcoma, T-Cells, varicella zoster virus (VZV), GD2, Neuroblastoma
- Medical subject headings
- Osteosarcoma, Neuroblastoma, Chickenpox
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
GD2 T cellsGenetic
Also called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTL
On dose levels 1 and 2 each patient receives one injection of GD2 T cells followed by VZV vaccine injection 42 days later.
Dose Level 1: 1x10^6 cells/m^2
Dose Level 2: 1x10^7 cells/m^2
The next dose levels to be studied following Dose level 2 are Dose levels 7 and 8 where subjects will receive the VZV vaccine followed by a single infusion of iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs within 48 hours after VZV vaccine:
Dose Level 7: 1 x 10^7 cells/m2
Dose Level 8: 1 x 10^8 cells/m^2
Dose levels 9-11 will receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine prior to administration of the T cells.
Dose Level 9: 1 x 10^8 cells/m^2
Dose Level 10: 5 x 10^8 cells/m^2
Dose Level 11: 1 x 10^9 cells/m^2
The previously planned dose levels 3-6 will not be studied.
VZV vaccineBiological
Also called zostavax
Subjects will receive a VZV vaccine with CTL infusion within 48 hours after the vaccine.
FludarabineDrug
Also called Fludara
Pre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m^2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m^2/day. Infusions should be given following hospital/pharmacy recommendations however at a minimum the cyclophosphamide should be infused over 1 hour and the fludarabine should be infused over 30 minutes. Mesna, IV hydration, and anti-emetics will be provided following local institutional guidelines. T cell infusion will take place the day after completion of chemotherapy. Zostavax will be administered two weeks after infusion of T cells.
CyclophosphamideDrug
Also called Cytoxan
Pre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m^2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m^2/day. Infusions should be given following hospital/pharmacy recommendations however at a minimum the cyclophosphamide should be infused over 1 hour and the fludarabine should be infused over 30 minutes. Mesna, IV hydration, and anti-emetics will be provided following local institutional guidelines. T cell infusion will take place the day after completion of chemotherapy. Zostavax will be administered two weeks after infusion of T cells.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine | Experimental | In this study we will be administering from 1 x 10^6 to 1 x 10^9 transduced autologous VZV-specific CTLs, derived from VZV-specific memory T cells, so there will be no risk of alloreactivity. 6.1.1 Pre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day. Receives: Genetic: GD2 T cells; Biological: VZV vaccine; Drug: Fludarabine; Drug: Cyclophosphamide |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of patients with dose limiting toxicity
The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intravenous injections of autologous iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs in combination with VZV vaccination in patients with advanced GD2-positive sarcomas or neuroblastoma.
Measured: 6-weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Amount of T cells in the blood after the infusions
To assess the effects of VZV vaccination on the in vivo expansion and persistence of transgenic VZV-specific T cells
To assess the in vivo persistence of infused T cells using immunoassays and transgene detection
Measured: 15 years
Number of patients with a response to the T cells
To assess the anti-tumor effects of the infused GD2-specific T cells
To assess the effect of of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) on expansion and persistence of infused T cells.
Evaluations of tumor size will be performed within 4 weeks of beginning treatment and 6 weeks (before the vaccine) and 12 to 14 weeks after the iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTL injection. All patients who receive the first infusion will be evaluable for response.
Measured: 14 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Oct 2013 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2014
- Primary completion31 Oct 2019
- Study completion31 Oct 2034 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for OsteosarcomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Baylor College of MedicineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Lisa Wang, Baylor College of Medicine
- Investigators
- Lisa L Wang, MD, Principal investigator, Baylor College of MedicineCliona Rooney, PhD, Principal investigator, Baylor College of Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01953900
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H-32335 VEGAS
- Other IDs
- VEGAS, P01CA094237
- Acronym
- VEGAS
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Sep 2013
- Last updated
- 22 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Hattinger CM, Patrizio MP, Magagnoli F, Luppi S, Serra M. An update on emerging drugs in osteosarcoma: towards tailored therapies? Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2019 Sep;24(3):153-171. doi: 10.1080/14728214.2019.1654455. Epub 2019 Aug 14.
PubMed 31401903Tanaka M, Tashiro H, Omer B, Lapteva N, Ando J, Ngo M, Mehta B, Dotti G, Kinchington PR, Leen AM, Rossig C, Rooney CM. Vaccination Targeting Native Receptors to Enhance the Function and Proliferation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Modified T Cells. Clin Cancer Res. 2017 Jul 15;23(14):3499-3509. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-16-2138. Epub 2017 Feb 9.
PubMed 28183713
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Vaccination to Enhance the Anti-Tumor Activity of GD2 Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing, VZV-Specific T Cells in Subjects With Advanced Sarcomas and Neuroblastoma (VEGAS)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01953900
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VEGAS / H-32335 VEGAS
- Conditions
- Osteosarcoma, Neuroblastoma
- Keywords
- Osteosarcoma, T-Cells, varicella zoster virus (VZV), GD2, Neuroblastoma
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study start
- Apr 2014 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Oct 2034 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Oct 2013 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-T cells (also called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs) in combination with a varicella zoster vaccine and lymohodepleting chemotherapy. Additionally, we will learn what the side effects of this treatment are and to see whether this therapy might help patients with advanced osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma. Because there is no standard treatment for recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma at this time or because the currently used treatments do not work fully in all cases, patients are being asked to volunteer to take part in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells.
The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancers. This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are types of proteins that protect the body from infectious diseases and possibly cancer. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including cells infected with viruses and tumor cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. They have shown promise, but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Investigators have found from previous research that a new gene can be put into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. Investigators now want to see if a new gene can be put in these cells that will let the T cells recognize and kill sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells. The new gene is called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and consists of an antibody called 14g2a that recognizes GD2, a protein that is found on sarcoma and neuroblastoma cells (GD2-CAR). In addition, it contains parts of the CD28 and OX40 genes which can stimulate T cells to make them live longer.
Investigators have found that CAR-T cells can kill some of the tumor, but they don't last very long in the body and so the tumor eventually comes back. T cells that recognize the virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster virus (VZV), remain in the bloodstream for many years especially if they are stimulated or boosted by the VZV vaccine. Investigators will therefore insert the GD2-CAR gene into T cells that recognize VZV. These cells are called iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-specific T cells but are referred to as GD2-T cells for simplicity.
Detailed description
Patients give blood to make GD2-T cells that are grown and frozen. To get the GD2-CAR to attach to the surface of the T-cell, a gene is inserted into the T-cell. As described in the Brief Summary, the gene contains the GD2-CAR. This is done using part of a virus (known as a retrovirus) that has been put into a vector made for this study and that will carry the antibody gene into the T cell. This retrovirus vector also helps identify the T cells in the patient's blood after they have been injected. Because the patients have received cells with a new gene in them they will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.
When enrolled on this study, patients will be assigned to one of three groups of different doses of GD2-T cells. The first group of patients will receive a lower dose of GD2-T cells. Once that dose schedule proves safe, the next group of patients will be started at the higher dose. Patients will receive treatment with with cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) and fludarabine for 3 days before receiving the T-cell infusion. These drugs will decrease the numbers of your own T cells before we infuse the GD2-T cells.
Patients will receive the GD2-T cells by an intravenous line. Before patients receive the injection, they may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. The injection will take between 1 and 25 minutes. The research team will follow patients in the clinic after the injection for 1 to 4 hours. Two weeks after receiving the dose of GD2-T cells, patients will receive a dose of the VZV vaccine. This will be given as an injection under the skin that will take less than a minute. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital or Houston Methodist Hospital. Patients may need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion so the research team can monitor patients for side effects. The research team will follow patients in the clinic or through communication with their primary doctor after the GD2-T-cell injection.
Medical tests before treatment--
Before being treated, patients will receive a series of standard medical tests:
- Physical exam and History
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- A urine pregnancy test. If you a patient is pregnant, both the patient and her parents will be informed of the pregnancy
- Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies. We will use the imaging study that was used before to follow the patient's tumor (Computer Tomogram (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Positron Emission Tomography(PET/CT)
Medical tests during and after treatment--
Patients will receive standard medical tests when they are getting the infusions and afterwards:
- Physical exams
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- Measurements of their tumor by routine imaging studies at 6 weeks after the infusion
To learn more about the way the GD2-T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood, based on the patient's weight, up to a maximum of 60 ml (12 teaspoons) of blood will be taken on the day of the GD2-T- cell infusion(s), (before and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s)), 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for 1 year, at 15 months and 18 months, then every 6 months for 4 years, then yearly for a total of 15 years. One additional blood sample might be drawn 3 to 4 days after the GD2-T-cell infusion(s); this is optional. Blood may be drawn at additional time points based on the patient's response to the treatment.
During the time points listed above, if the Tcells are found in patient's blood at a certain amount, an extra 5ml of blood may need to be collected for additional testing.
For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 ml (less than 1 teaspoon) per 2.2 pounds of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (have a low red blood cell count).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine | Experimental | Genetic: GD2 T cells, Biological: VZV vaccine, Drug: Fludarabine, Drug: CyclophosphamideIn this study we will be administering from 1 x 10^6 to 1 x 10^9 transduced autologous VZV-specific CTLs, derived from VZV-specific memory T cells, so there will be no risk of alloreactivity. 6.1.1 Pre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Diagnosis of relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma OR relapsed or refractory high risk neuroblastoma not responsive to standard treatment.
- Either previously infected with varicella zoster virus(VZV; chicken pox) or previously vaccinated with VZV vaccine
- Karnofsky/Lansky score of greater than or equal to 50
- Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given copy of informed consent
- Diagnosis of relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma OR relapsed or refractory high risk neuroblastoma not responsive to standard treatment.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Known primary immune deficiency or HIV positivity
- Severe intercurrent infection
- Known primary immune deficiency or HIV positivity
- Pregnant or lactating
- History of hypersensitivity reactions to murine protein-containing products
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| GD2 T cellsAlso: iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLOn dose levels 1 and 2 each patient receives one injection of GD2 T cells followed by VZV vaccine injection 42 days later. Dose Level 1: 1x10^6 cells/m^2 Dose Level 2: 1x10^7 cells/m^2 The next dose levels to be studied following Dose level 2 are Dose levels 7 and 8 where subjects will receive the VZV vaccine followed by a single infusion of iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs within 48 hours after VZV vaccine: Dose Level 7: 1 x 10^7 cells/m2 Dose Level 8: 1 x 10^8 cells/m^2 Dose levels 9-11 will receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine prior to administration of the T cells. Dose Level 9: 1 x 10^8 cells/m^2 Dose Level 10: 5 x 10^8 cells/m^2 Dose Level 11: 1 x 10^9 cells/m^2 The previously planned dose levels 3-6 will not be studied. | Genetic | GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine |
| VZV vaccineAlso: zostavaxSubjects will receive a VZV vaccine with CTL infusion within 48 hours after the vaccine. | Biological | GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine |
| FludarabineAlso: FludaraPre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m^2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m^2/day. Infusions should be given following hospital/pharmacy recommendations however at a minimum the cyclophosphamide should be infused over 1 hour and the fludarabine should be infused over 30 minutes. Mesna, IV hydration, and anti-emetics will be provided following local institutional guidelines. T cell infusion will take place the day after completion of chemotherapy. Zostavax will be administered two weeks after infusion of T cells. | Drug | GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine |
| CyclophosphamideAlso: CytoxanPre-infusion lymphodepletion for dose levels 9-11: Patients will receive 3 daily doses of cyclophosphamide together with fludarabine to induce lymphopenia, finishing at least 24 hours before T cell infusion. Cyclophosphamide will be given at a dose of 500 mg/m^2/day followed by Fludarabine 30 mg/m^2/day. Infusions should be given following hospital/pharmacy recommendations however at a minimum the cyclophosphamide should be infused over 1 hour and the fludarabine should be infused over 30 minutes. Mesna, IV hydration, and anti-emetics will be provided following local institutional guidelines. T cell infusion will take place the day after completion of chemotherapy. Zostavax will be administered two weeks after infusion of T cells. | Drug | GD2 T cells plus VZV vaccine |
Primary outcome
Number of patients with dose limiting toxicity
Time frame: 6-weeks
The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intravenous injections of autologous iC9-GD2-CAR-VZV-CTLs in combination with VZV vaccination in patients with advanced GD2-positive sarcomas or neuroblastoma.
2 secondary outcomes
Amount of T cells in the blood after the infusions
Time frame: 15 years
Number of patients with a response to the T cells
Time frame: 14 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Apr 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31401903Hattinger CM, Patrizio MP, Magagnoli F, Luppi S, Serra M. An update on emerging drugs in osteosarcoma: towards tailored therapies? Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2019 Sep;24(3):153-171. doi: 10.1080/14728214.2019.1654455. Epub 2019 Aug 14.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 28183713Tanaka M, Tashiro H, Omer B, Lapteva N, Ando J, Ngo M, Mehta B, Dotti G, Kinchington PR, Leen AM, Rossig C, Rooney CM. Vaccination Targeting Native Receptors to Enhance the Function and Proliferation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Modified T Cells. Clin Cancer Res. 2017 Jul 15;23(14):3499-3509. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-16-2138. Epub 2017 Feb 9.
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Neuroblastoma (NBL), Ewing Sarcoma
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lisa L Wang, MD principal investigator
Baylor College of Medicine
Cliona Rooney, PhD principal investigator
Baylor College of Medicine
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing GD2 T cells, VZV vaccine and Fludarabine in people with Osteosarcoma and Neuroblastoma, run by Baylor College of Medicine at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of patients with dose limiting toxicity (time frame: 6-weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01953900, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.