Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine GliomaPhase 1NCT04099797
C7R-GD2.CAR T Cells for Patients With GD2-expressing Brain Tumors (GAIL-B)
A Phase 1 study testing C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) in people with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and High Grade Glioma, run by Baylor College of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
In this study, there are two treatment groups called Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Cohort 1 is for patients with diffuse midline glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, medulloblastoma, or another rare high-grade glioma that expresses GD2. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 months to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, High Grade Glioma, Embryonal Tumor
- What is being tested?
- C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 56 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 3 Feb 2020to Feb 2041
- 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 12 months to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Procurement Inclusion Criteria:
Cohort 1:
- Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing newly diagnosed DMG/HGG (including pontine) or confirmation of H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. Newly diagnosed is defined as prior to radiographic progression or recurrence. OR Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing recurrent, refractory, or progressive DMG/HGG (except pontine) or confirmation of positive H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. OR Recurrent, refractory, or progressive high-grade CNS tumor with confirmed GD2-expression. Examples include: medulloblastoma "CNS embryonal tumors, AT/RT, ependymal tumors, diffuse gliomas or glioneuronal tumors. Cohort 2: Recurrent, refractory, or progressive pontine HGG with confirmed GD2-expression or H3K27-altered DMG
- Tumors less than 5 cm in maximum dimension at enrollment
- Tumors with ≤25% increase in size (on any dimension) on MRI 4-8 weeks post-radiotherapy remain eligible for study
- Tumors with >25% increase in size on post-radiation imaging may be reassessed with repeat MRI in 4-6 weeks, and are eligible if tumor size is subsequently ≤ 25% increased compared with pre-irradiation MRI.
- Tumors with sizes between 5 and 5.5 cm are eligible if the tumor was surgically debulked
- Measurable disease on at least 2 dimensions on MRI
- Age 12 months to 25 years
- Functional score (Karnofsky/Lansky) ≥ 50 expected at infusion (≥60 for cohort 2)
Procurement Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding
- Any patient with other risk factors for whom administration of investigational agent is deemed not in the patient's best interest, in the opinion of the investigator.
Treatment Inclusion Criteria
Cohort 1:
- Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing newly diagnosed DMG/HGG (including pontine) or confirmation of H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. Newly diagnosed is defined as prior to radiographic progression or recurrence. OR Histologically confirmed, GD2-expressing recurrent, refractory, or progressive DMG/HGG (except pontine) or confirmation of positive H3K27 alteration if sufficient tissue for GD2 staining by IHC is not available. OR Recurrent, refractory, or progressive high -grade CNS tumor with confirmed GD2-expression. Examples include: medulloblastoma, CNS embryonal tumors, AT/RT, ependymal tumors, diffuse gliomas, or glioneuronal tumors. Cohort 2: Recurrent, refractory, or progressive pontine H3K27-altered for DMG or HGG with confirmed GD2-expression.
- Tumors less than 5 cm in maximum dimension at enrollment
- Tumors with ≤25% increase in size (on any dimension) on MRI 4-8 weeks post-radiotherapy remain eligible for study
- Tumors with >25% increase in size on post-radiation imaging may be reassessed with repeat MRI in 4-6 weeks, and are eligible if tumor size is subsequently ≤ 25% increased compared pre-irradiation MRI
- Tumors with sizes between 5 and 5.5 cm are eligible if the tumor was surgically debulked
- Measurable disease on at least 2 dimensions on MRI
- Central line (PICC or other) and Ommaya reservoir or VP shunt in place or planned to be placed. Central line/PICC may be omitted for cycles that do not include lymphodepletion
- Age 12 months to 25 years
- Functional score (Karnofsky/Lansky) ≥ 50 (≥60 for cohort 2)
- Patients must have completed standard of care radiation therapy at least 4 weeks prior to administration of investigational agent. If bevacizumab was administered for management of radiation necrosis, therapy must be completed at least 4 weeks prior to administration of investigational agent.
- Stable neurologic exam for 7 days prior to enrollment
- Stable or decreasing dose of steroids (max. allowable dose of dexamethasone is 0.1 mg/kg/day over the past 7 days prior to infusion of investigational therapy)
- Organ function:
- ANC > 1000 cells/ul
- Platelet count > 100,000 cells/ul
- Total bilirubin < 1.5x ULN
- ALT and AST < 5x ULN
- Serum creatinine or kidney within 2x ULN for age
Treatment Exclusion Criteria
- Patients who received any other forms of immunotherapy ≤ 42 days before administration of investigational agent
- Patients who received colony-stimulating factors within 14 days prior to administration of lymphodepletion
- Patients receiving any concurrent anti-cancer therapy (treatment must occur at least three half-lives following prior anti-cancer therapy)
- Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding
- Any patient with other risk factors for whom administration of investigational agent is deemed not in the patient's best interest, in the opinion of the investigator.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030
Bilal Omer, MD, 832-824-6855, bomer@bcm.edu
David Allen, 832-824-4391, dlallen@bcm.edu
About this study
Official title: Phase I Study of Autologous T Lymphocytes Expressing GD2-specific Chimeric Antigen and Constitutively Active IL-7 Receptors for the Treatment of Patients With GD2-expressing Brain Tumors (GAIL-B)
In this study, there are two treatment groups called Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Cohort 1 is for patients with diffuse midline glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, medulloblastoma, or another rare high-grade glioma that expresses GD2. Cohort 2 is for patients with a type of cancer called progressive diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma that expresses GD2.
Because there is no standard treatment at this time, patients are asked to volunteer in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells called T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight infection.
Read more
This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat cancer patients. They have shown promise but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Researchers have found from previous research that they can put a new antibody gene into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. GD2 is a protein found on several different cancers. Researchers testing brain cancer cells found that many of these cancers also have GD2 on their surface.
In a study for neuroblastoma in children, a gene called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) was made from an antibody that recognizes GD2. This gene was put into the patients own T cells and given back to 11 patients. The cells did grow for a while but started to disappear from the blood after 2 weeks. The researchers think that if T cells are able to last longer they may have a better chance of killing tumor cells.
In this study, a new gene will be added to the GD2 T cells that can potentially cause the cells to live longer. T cells need substances called cytokines to survive. The gene C7R has been added that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time.
In other studies using T cells researchers found that giving chemotherapy before the T cell infusion can improve the amount of time the T cells stay in the body and therefore the effect the T cells can have. This is called lymphodepletion and it will allow the T cells to expand and stay longer in the body and potentially kill cancer cells more effectively.
After treating 11 patients, the largest safe dose of GD2-CAR T cells given in the vein (IV) was determined. We are now combining an IV infusion with an infusion directly into the brain through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way.
Patients will now be assigned to Cohort 1 and 2 based on their tumor type.
The GD2.C7R T cells are an investigational product not approved by the FDA.
The purpose of this study is to combine infusions into the vein in the first treatment cycle with infusions directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain (intracerebroventricularly) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt for infusions cycles 2-24. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and CSF and what affect they have on brain cancer.
Read the detailed description
To prepare the brain cancer specific GD2-C7R T cells, research staff will take some blood from the patient. The researchers will grow the GD2.C7R T cells by infecting the T cells with a retroviral vector (a special virus that can carry a new gene into cells) containing one gene that can recognize and kill brain cancer cells GD2.CAR and the new gene called C7R that will help these cells survive longer. After the new genes have been put into the T cells, the cells will be tested to make sure that they kill GD2-positive brain cancer cells.
All patients on this study are required to have an Ommaya catheter in place prior to treatment as a precaution and for infusion of the T cells. This is a special catheter that leads to the tumor, the cavity left in the brain after surgical removal of the tumor, or into the fluid-filled space in the brain. Catheter placement is done by a surgeon and requires anesthesia and is not part of this study. Patients who had a programmable VP shunt placed for other clinical reasons are also eligible.
Because the researchers are growing the cells in the laboratory, blood to test for infectious viruses such as hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) will be collected, and patients will complete a blood donor questionnaire.
The cells generated will be frozen and stored to give back to the patient. Because patients will have received cells with a new gene in them patients will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.
All patients will be given the IV treatment and the dose is adjusted based on body weight and height. Patients in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 will then be assigned a dose of GD2-C7R T cells to be given directly into the brain (intracerebroventricularly ICV) via Ommaya or programmable VP shunt. .
In this study, patients will receive the GD2-C7R cells and also receive cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine in cases of fludarabine shortage). These two drugs are standard chemotherapy medicines and may be given before the T cells to make space in the blood for the T cells to grow after receiving them.
Cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine) will be given intravenously (through an IV needle inserted in a vein or a central line) for 2 days and then fludarabine (or clofarabine) alone on the third day.
Before patients receive IV T cell infusion, patients may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. Patients will receive GD2-C7R cells through an IV. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will be monitored for 5 days.
Treatment for 2nd and subsequent treatment cycles:
Cohort 1: Patients will be given an injection of GD2-C7R T cells intracerebroventricularly (ICV) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. The patient will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Cohort 2: On Day 0, patients will receive an injection of GD2-C7R cells intracebroventricularly through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. Patients will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Patients will be monitored at least 5 days after each infusion and until resolution of CRS and neurotoxicity. Starting with the 3rd treatment cycle the minimum inpatient monitoring can be decreased to 3 days if the prior treatment cycle was tolerated. If the patient develops fevers or other concerning symptoms after discharge from the hospital within the safety observation period of 4 weeks, the patient will be readmitted to the hospital for close monitoring for at least one night.
All patients will have follow-up visits at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8, then at months 3, 6, 9, and 12, and then twice a year for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years for a total of 15 years, with additional neurological evaluations in the first 4 to 6 weeks. The patient will also have scheduled disease evaluations after the T-cell injection between weeks 4 to 6 and then as clinically needed.
After disease re-evaluation, the patient may be eligible to receive up to 24 additional cycles of T cells if the following criteria are met: (1) The disease has not gotten worse and/or it seems the patient may benefit in the future from an additional dose. (2) The patient has not had a severe side effect caused by the infusion of GD2-C7R T cells. The dose will be at the same dose level as the first ICV infusion and separated by at least 4 weeks such that the researchers can make sure there are no severe side effects between infusions. If the patient receives an additional dose of GD2-C7R T-cells, then the patient will need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion as well to monitor for side effects. Starting with the 4th cycle the minimum time in Houston can further be reduced to 1 week if the previous cycles were well tolerated.
Medical tests before treatment--
Before being treated, the patient will receive a series of standard medical tests:
- Physical exam
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- Measurements of the tumor by routine MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Medical tests during and after treatment--
The patient 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 the tumor by MRI imaging studies and spinal fluid analysis 4- 6 weeks after the infusion and repeat MRI imaging at 3 months.
Spinal Fluid Tests: Spinal fluid will be drawn from the patient's existing Ommaya reservoir or VP shunt (if clinically feasible) at the time of ICV infusion and at week 1, and 4 and possibly other timepoints if helpful for clinical care. This procedure can be done at the bedside under local anesthesia and 1-10 ml of spinal fluid will be removed. Additional spinal fluid may be removed if the pressure inside the brain is elevated. Additionally, spinal fluid may be removed for clinical reasons, for example testing for a possible infection. Spinal fluid may be used for research purposes, for example to better understand how the infused T cells work, and in future research studies.
To learn more about the way the GD2-C7R T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood will be obtained on the day that chemotherapy starts, the day of the T-cell infusion(s) and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s), 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for the 1st year, every 6 months for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years. The amount of blood taken will be based on weight with up to a maximum of 60 mL (12 teaspoons) of blood to be obtained at any one time. For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 mL (less than 1 teaspoon) per 1 kg of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (has a low red blood cell count).
During the time points listed above, if the GD2-C7R T cells are found in the patient blood at a certain amount, an extra 5 mL (about 1 teaspoon) of blood may need to be collected for additional testing.
If the patient has a procedure where tumor samples are obtained, like a blood is collected or tumor biopsy, a sample will be requested to be used for research purposes.
The patient will receive supportive care for any acute or chronic toxicities, including blood components or antibiotics, and other intervention as appropriate.
- Being tested
- C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)
- Keywords
- Gene Therapy, CAR T-cells, chimeric antigen receptor, Brain Cancer, Immunotherapy, Glioma, Brain tumor, DIPG, ETMRs, Medulloepithelioma, Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors
- Medical subject headings
- Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, Glioma, Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal, Brain Neoplasms, Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Rhabdoid Tumor
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)Genetic
Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion.
Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion.
Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles):
Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion
C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)Genetic
Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion. Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion.
Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles):
Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion.
Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 1) | Experimental | The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy.
In this subsequent phase of the study, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined. Receives: Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) |
| C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 2) | Experimental | The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy.
In cycles 2-24, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined. Receives: Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) rate
DLT rate is defined as the proportion of subjects with DLT evaluated as per the NCI CTCAE v5.0 with the exception of CRS and neurological toxicities that are related to T cell infusions.
Measured: 4 weeks post T cell infusion
Secondary outcomes (1)
Response rate according to standard criteria
Anti-tumor response to (C7R)-GD2.CART cell therapy will be evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Measured: 4-6 weeks post T cell infusion
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Sep 2019
- Study start3 Feb 2020
- Primary completionFeb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionFeb 2041 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine GliomaStudies 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Faris Foundation, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer, DIPG DMG Research Funding Alliance, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jasia Mahdi, MD, Baylor College of Medicine
- Investigators
- Jasia Mahdi, MD, Principal investigator, Baylor College of MedicineBilal Omer, MD, Principal investigator, Baylor College of Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04099797
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H-45668 GAIL-B
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Sep 2019
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Lin FY, Stuckert A, Tat C, White M, Ruggieri L, Zhang H, Mehta B, Lapteva N, Mei Z, Major A, Thakkar S, Shum T, Parikh K, Wu MF, Lindsay HB, Scherer L, Shekar M, Baxter P, Wang T, Grilley B, Moeller K, Hicks J, Roy A, Anastas J, Malbari F, Aldave G, Chintagumpala M, Blaney S, Parsons DW, Brenner MK, Heslop HE, Rooney CM, Omer B. Phase I Trial of GD2.CART Cells Augmented With Constitutive Interleukin-7 Receptor for Treatment of High-Grade Pediatric CNS Tumors. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Aug 10;42(23):2769-2779. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02019. Epub 2024 May 21.
PubMed 38771986
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Phase I Study of Autologous T Lymphocytes Expressing GD2-specific Chimeric Antigen and Constitutively Active IL-7 Receptors for the Treatment of Patients With GD2-expressing Brain Tumors (GAIL-B)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04099797
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- H-45668 GAIL-B
- Keywords
- Gene Therapy, CAR T-cells, chimeric antigen receptor, Brain Cancer, Immunotherapy, Glioma, Brain tumor, DIPG
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Faris Foundation, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer, DIPG DMG Research Funding Alliance, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas
- Study start
- 3 Feb 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Feb 2041 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Sep 2019 (actual)
- 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.
In this study, there are two treatment groups called Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Cohort 1 is for patients with diffuse midline glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, medulloblastoma, or another rare high-grade glioma that expresses GD2. Cohort 2 is for patients with a type of cancer called progressive diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma that expresses GD2.
Because there is no standard treatment at this time, patients are asked to volunteer in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells called T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight infection.
This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat cancer patients. They have shown promise but have not been strong enough to cure most patients.
Researchers have found from previous research that they can put a new antibody gene into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. GD2 is a protein found on several different cancers. Researchers testing brain cancer cells found that many of these cancers also have GD2 on their surface.
In a study for neuroblastoma in children, a gene called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) was made from an antibody that recognizes GD2. This gene was put into the patients own T cells and given back to 11 patients. The cells did grow for a while but started to disappear from the blood after 2 weeks. The researchers think that if T cells are able to last longer they may have a better chance of killing tumor cells.
In this study, a new gene will be added to the GD2 T cells that can potentially cause the cells to live longer. T cells need substances called cytokines to survive. The gene C7R has been added that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time.
In other studies using T cells researchers found that giving chemotherapy before the T cell infusion can improve the amount of time the T cells stay in the body and therefore the effect the T cells can have. This is called lymphodepletion and it will allow the T cells to expand and stay longer in the body and potentially kill cancer cells more effectively.
After treating 11 patients, the largest safe dose of GD2-CAR T cells given in the vein (IV) was determined. We are now combining an IV infusion with an infusion directly into the brain through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way.
Patients will now be assigned to Cohort 1 and 2 based on their tumor type.
The GD2.C7R T cells are an investigational product not approved by the FDA.
The purpose of this study is to combine infusions into the vein in the first treatment cycle with infusions directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain (intracerebroventricularly) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt for infusions cycles 2-24. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and CSF and what affect they have on brain cancer.
Detailed description
To prepare the brain cancer specific GD2-C7R T cells, research staff will take some blood from the patient. The researchers will grow the GD2.C7R T cells by infecting the T cells with a retroviral vector (a special virus that can carry a new gene into cells) containing one gene that can recognize and kill brain cancer cells GD2.CAR and the new gene called C7R that will help these cells survive longer. After the new genes have been put into the T cells, the cells will be tested to make sure that they kill GD2-positive brain cancer cells.
All patients on this study are required to have an Ommaya catheter in place prior to treatment as a precaution and for infusion of the T cells. This is a special catheter that leads to the tumor, the cavity left in the brain after surgical removal of the tumor, or into the fluid-filled space in the brain. Catheter placement is done by a surgeon and requires anesthesia and is not part of this study. Patients who had a programmable VP shunt placed for other clinical reasons are also eligible.
Because the researchers are growing the cells in the laboratory, blood to test for infectious viruses such as hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) will be collected, and patients will complete a blood donor questionnaire.
The cells generated will be frozen and stored to give back to the patient. Because patients will have received cells with a new gene in them patients will be followed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.
All patients will be given the IV treatment and the dose is adjusted based on body weight and height. Patients in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 will then be assigned a dose of GD2-C7R T cells to be given directly into the brain (intracerebroventricularly ICV) via Ommaya or programmable VP shunt. .
In this study, patients will receive the GD2-C7R cells and also receive cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine in cases of fludarabine shortage). These two drugs are standard chemotherapy medicines and may be given before the T cells to make space in the blood for the T cells to grow after receiving them.
Cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (or clofarabine) will be given intravenously (through an IV needle inserted in a vein or a central line) for 2 days and then fludarabine (or clofarabine) alone on the third day.
Before patients receive IV T cell infusion, patients may be given a dose of Benadryl and Tylenol. Patients will receive GD2-C7R cells through an IV. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will be monitored for 5 days.
Treatment for 2nd and subsequent treatment cycles:
Cohort 1: Patients will be given an injection of GD2-C7R T cells intracerebroventricularly (ICV) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. The patient will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Cohort 2: On Day 0, patients will receive an injection of GD2-C7R cells intracebroventricularly through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt at the assigned dose. The infusion will take between 1 and 5 minutes. Patients will then be monitored in the hospital for at least 5 days. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital. Patients will be readmitted to the hospital if the patient develops a fever or other concerning side effects.
Patients will be monitored at least 5 days after each infusion and until resolution of CRS and neurotoxicity. Starting with the 3rd treatment cycle the minimum inpatient monitoring can be decreased to 3 days if the prior treatment cycle was tolerated. If the patient develops fevers or other concerning symptoms after discharge from the hospital within the safety observation period of 4 weeks, the patient will be readmitted to the hospital for close monitoring for at least one night.
All patients will have follow-up visits at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8, then at months 3, 6, 9, and 12, and then twice a year for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years for a total of 15 years, with additional neurological evaluations in the first 4 to 6 weeks. The patient will also have scheduled disease evaluations after the T-cell injection between weeks 4 to 6 and then as clinically needed.
After disease re-evaluation, the patient may be eligible to receive up to 24 additional cycles of T cells if the following criteria are met: (1) The disease has not gotten worse and/or it seems the patient may benefit in the future from an additional dose. (2) The patient has not had a severe side effect caused by the infusion of GD2-C7R T cells. The dose will be at the same dose level as the first ICV infusion and separated by at least 4 weeks such that the researchers can make sure there are no severe side effects between infusions. If the patient receives an additional dose of GD2-C7R T-cells, then the patient will need to stay in Houston for up to 4 weeks after the infusion as well to monitor for side effects. Starting with the 4th cycle the minimum time in Houston can further be reduced to 1 week if the previous cycles were well tolerated.
Medical tests before treatment--
Before being treated, the patient will receive a series of standard medical tests:
- Physical exam
- Blood tests to measure blood cells, kidney and liver function
- Measurements of the tumor by routine MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Medical tests during and after treatment--
The patient 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 the tumor by MRI imaging studies and spinal fluid analysis 4- 6 weeks after the infusion and repeat MRI imaging at 3 months.
Spinal Fluid Tests: Spinal fluid will be drawn from the patient's existing Ommaya reservoir or VP shunt (if clinically feasible) at the time of ICV infusion and at week 1, and 4 and possibly other timepoints if helpful for clinical care. This procedure can be done at the bedside under local anesthesia and 1-10 ml of spinal fluid will be removed. Additional spinal fluid may be removed if the pressure inside the brain is elevated. Additionally, spinal fluid may be removed for clinical reasons, for example testing for a possible infection. Spinal fluid may be used for research purposes, for example to better understand how the infused T cells work, and in future research studies.
To learn more about the way the GD2-C7R T cells are working and how long they last in the body, an extra amount of blood will be obtained on the day that chemotherapy starts, the day of the T-cell infusion(s) and at the end of the T-cell infusion(s), 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for the 1st year, every 6 months for the next 4 years and annually for the next 10 years. The amount of blood taken will be based on weight with up to a maximum of 60 mL (12 teaspoons) of blood to be obtained at any one time. For children, the total amount of blood drawn will not be more than 3 mL (less than 1 teaspoon) per 1 kg of body weight on any one day. This volume is considered safe, but may be decreased if the patient is anemic (has a low red blood cell count).
During the time points listed above, if the GD2-C7R T cells are found in the patient blood at a certain amount, an extra 5 mL (about 1 teaspoon) of blood may need to be collected for additional testing.
If the patient has a procedure where tumor samples are obtained, like a blood is collected or tumor biopsy, a sample will be requested to be used for research purposes.
The patient will receive supportive care for any acute or chronic toxicities, including blood components or antibiotics, and other intervention as appropriate.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 1) | Experimental | Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy. In this subsequent phase of the study, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined. |
| C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 2) | Experimental | Genetic: C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)The dose level for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cells administered via intravenous (IV) infusion was determined in the initial phase of the protocol. The standard IV dose is 20 million cells/m2 with lymphodepletion chemotherapy. In cycles 2-24, the safe dosing levels for autologous cell C7R-GD2.CAR T cell immunotherapy administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) via ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt will be determined. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 months to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
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 |
|---|---|---|
| C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion. Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion. Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles): Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion | Genetic | C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 1) |
| C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion)Dose levels administered are by IV infusion followed by ICV infusion. Cycle 1: 20 million cells/m2 delivered IV with lymphodepletion. Cycle 2 (and subsequent cycles): Dose level 1: 5 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 2: 10 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion. Dose level 3: 15 million cells ICV with lymphodepletion | Genetic | C7R-GD2.CAR T cells (Cohort 2) |
Primary outcome
Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) rate
Time frame: 4 weeks post T cell infusion
DLT rate is defined as the proportion of subjects with DLT evaluated as per the NCI CTCAE v5.0 with the exception of CRS and neurological toxicities that are related to T cell infusions.
1 secondary outcome
Response rate according to standard criteria
Time frame: 4-6 weeks post T cell infusion
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 3 Aug 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38771986Lin FY, Stuckert A, Tat C, White M, Ruggieri L, Zhang H, Mehta B, Lapteva N, Mei Z, Major A, Thakkar S, Shum T, Parikh K, Wu MF, Lindsay HB, Scherer L, Shekar M, Baxter P, Wang T, Grilley B, Moeller K, Hicks J, Roy A, Anastas J, Malbari F, Aldave G, Chintagumpala M, Blaney S, Parsons DW, Brenner MK, Heslop HE, Rooney CM, Omer B. Phase I Trial of GD2.CART Cells Augmented With Constitutive Interleukin-7 Receptor for Treatment of High-Grade Pediatric CNS Tumors. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Aug 10;42(23):2769-2779. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02019. Epub 2024 May 21.
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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.
Jasia Mahdi, MD principal investigator
Baylor College of Medicine
Bilal Omer, MD principal investigator
Baylor College of Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing C7R-GD2.CART cells (IV and ICV infusion) in people with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and High Grade Glioma, run by Baylor College of Medicine at 1 site 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?
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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site 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?
Contact Jasia Mahdi, MD (832-822-1750, Jasia.Mahdi@bcm.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) rate (time frame: 4 weeks post T cell infusion). 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 NCT04099797, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 3 Aug 2026.