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EBV-Related Hodgkin LymphomaPhase 1CILESTENCT04664179

EBV Specific T-Lymphocytes for Treatment of EBV-Positive Lymphoma

A Phase 1 study testing Dose Level 1A: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2, Dose Level 2A: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2 and Dose Level 2B: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2 in people with EBV-Related Hodgkin Lymphoma and EBV-Related Lymphoproliferative Disorder, run by Baylor College of Medicine at 4 sites in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record

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Trial summary

This study is for patients that have a type of lymph gland disease called Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease which has come back or has not gone away after treatment, including the best treatment the investigators know for these diseases. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any age
What is being tested?
Dose Level 1A: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2, Dose Level 2A: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2 and Dose Level 2B: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
52 participants
Where
4 sitesUnited States
Study dates
31 Oct 2022to Nov 2042
Phase
Phase 1

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
  1. INCLUSION CRITERIA AT TIME OF PROCUREMENT
  2. Any patient, regardless of age or sex, with EBV-positive Hodgkin's or non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, (regardless of the histological subtype) or EBV (associated)- T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease who may subsequently be eligible for the treatment component
  3. EBV positive tumor (can be pending)
  4. Weighs at least 10 kg
  5. Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given a copy of informed consent.
  6. INCLUSION CRITERIA AT TIME OF INFUSION
  7. Any patient regardless of age or sex, with diagnosis of either
  8. EBV positive Hodgkin's lymphoma
  9. EBV positive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (regardless of histologic subtype)
  10. EBV (associated)-T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease AND either
  11. In first or subsequent relapse or with persistent active disease despite therapy; OR
  12. With active disease if immunosuppressive chemotherapy is contraindicated as determined by the study PI, in consultation with the primary provider as needed, e.g. patients who develop Hodgkin's disease after solid organ transplantation or if the lymphoma is a second malignancy, e.g. a Richter's transformation of CLL.
  13. EBV positive tumor confirmed by pathology
  14. Patients with life expectancy ≥ 6 weeks
  15. Patients with bilirubin ≤ 3x upper limit of normal, AST ≤ 3x upper limit of normal, creatinine ≤ 2x upper limit of normal for age and Hgb ≥ 7.0 (may be a transfused value)
  16. Pulse oximetry of >90% on room air
  17. Patients should have been off other investigational therapy for 4 weeks prior to entry in this study.
  18. Patients with a Karnofsky/Lansky score of ≥ 50
  19. Informed consent explained to, understood and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given a copy of informed consent.
  20. EXCLUSION CRITERIA AT TIME OF PROCUREMENT
  21. Known pregnancy or actively breastfeeding (pregnancy test is not required at the time of procurement).
  22. EXCLUSION CRITERIA AT TIME OF INFUSION
  23. Pregnant or breastfeeding
  24. Active and uncontrolled bacterial, viral or fungal infection
  25. Current use of systemic corticosteroids (prednisone equivalent >0.5 mg/kg/day)
  26. Bulky disease resulting in airway obstruction or risk for airway obstruction with further enlargement.

Trial locations and contacts

4 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Bilal Omer, MD contact

832-824-6855

bomer@bcm.edu

United States4 sites, 4 recruiting
  • Harris Health System - Ben Taub General Hospital/Smith Clinic

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Martha Mims, MD, 713-873-2010, mmims@bcm.edu

    Anaid Reyes, 713-798-3832, anaid.reyes@bcm.edu

    Not yet recruiting
  • Houston Methodist Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Bilal Omer, MD, 832-824-6855, bomer@bcm.edu

    Recruiting
  • Texas Children's Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Bilal Omer, MD, 832-824-6855, bomer@bcm.edu

    Not yet recruiting
  • Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center

    Houston, Texas, 77054

    Akiva Diamond, MD, Akiva.Diamond@bcm.edu

    Laura Marouf, 713-798-2950, laura.marouf@bcm.edu

    Not yet recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Constitutive IL7 (C7R) Modified EBV Specific T-Lymphocytes for Treatment of EBV-Positive Lymphoma

This study is for patients that have a type of lymph gland disease called Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease which has come back or has not gone away after treatment, including the best treatment the investigators know for these diseases.

Some patients with Lymphoma or T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease show signs of virus that is sometimes called Epstein Barr virus (EBV) that causes mononucleosis or glandular fever ("mono") before or at the time of their diagnosis. EBV is found in the cancer cells of up to half the patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, suggesting that plays a role in causing Lymphoma. The cancer cells (in lymphoma) and some immune system cells infected by EBV are able to hide from the body's immune system and escape destruction.

Read more

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. T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. T cells, that have been trained to kill EBV infected cells can survive in the blood and affect the tumor. The investigators have treated over 80 people on studies using T cells to target these diseases. About half of those patients who had disease at the time they got the cells had responses including some patients with complete responses.

The investigators think that if T cells are able to last longer in the body, they may have a better chance of killing EBV and EBV infected tumor cells. Therefore, in this study the investigators will add a new gene to the EBV T cells that can cause the cells to live longer called C7R. The investigators know that T cells need substances called cytokines to survive and the cells may not get enough cytokines after infusion into the body. The investigators have added the gene C7R that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time.

The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of C7R-EBV T cells, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and what affect they have on cancer.

Read the detailed description

The patient will donate blood in order to make C7R-EBV T cells. Depending on how long ago the cells were generated, they have been frozen. To get the C7R to be made by the T-cell, the investigators inserted a gene into the T-cell. This is done using certain parts of a virus (known as a retrovirus) that can carry the gene into the T cells. Because patients receive cells with a new gene in them, they will befollowed for a total of 15 years to see if there are any long term side effects of gene transfer.

When they are enrolled in this study, patients are assigned a dose of C7R EBV T cells. The assigned dose of cells is based on body weight and height. Patients will receive the C7R EBV T cells and may also receive cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (these are standard chemotherapy medicines). The chemotherapy medicines may be given before the T cells to make space in the blood for the T cells to grow after receiving them.

If a patient receives chemotherapy medicines, these drugs will be given through an i.v. needle inserted in the patient's vein or central line) for 2 days and then fludarabine alone on the third day. The patient will be given an injection of C7R EBV T cells into the vein through an IV line at the assigned dose.

Patients may receive Benadryl and Tylenol. The infusion will take between 1 and 10 minutes. The investigators will then monitor the patient in the clinic or hospital for about 2 hours. The treatment will be given by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Texas Children's Hospital or Houston Methodist Hospital. Patients should plan to stay in Houston for up to 2 weeks after the infusion so the investigators can monitor them for side effects.

Patients will have follow-up visits with the clinic (at scheduled visits weeks 2 and 6, and nursing follow-up at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6; months 3, 6, 9, and 12; and annually for the next 15 years). Patients will have scheduled disease evaluations after the T-cell injection (at week 6 +/- 2 weeks and then as clinically needed). After the disease re-evaluation, if the patient's disease has not gotten worse, or if in the future it seems he/she might benefit, they may be eligible to receive one additional dose of the T cells. The dose will be at the same dose level as the patient's first infusion and separated by at least 6 weeks such that the investigators can make sure that the patient has no severe side effects between infusions. If the patient receives an additional dose of C7R EBV T-cells, they will need to stay in Houston for up to 2 weeks after the infusion as well so the investigators can monitor them for side effects.

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 imaging studies. The investigators will use the imaging studies that have been used in the past to best assess the patient's tumor (Computer Tomogram (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT) and/or Bone Scan).

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 routine imaging studies approximately 6 weeks after the infusion.

To learn more about the way the C7R EBV 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 weeks after the T-cell infusion(s) and every 3 months for the 1st year, and annually for the next 15 years and possibly at additional time points. The amount of blood taken will be based on the patient's 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 (2 lbs) 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).

If the patient has a procedure where tumor samples are obtained, like a repeat bone marrow evaluation or tumor biopsy, the investigators request a sample to be used for research purposes. Patients will receive supportive care for any acute or chronic toxicities, including blood components or antibiotics, and other intervention as appropriate.

Being tested
Dose Level 1A: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2, Dose Level 2A: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2, Dose Level 2B: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2, Dose Level 3B: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2, Dose Level 3A: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2
Keywords
non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, EBV (associated)-T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease, EBV SPECIFIC T-LYMPHOCYTES, EBV, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, lymphoma relapse
Medical subject headings
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections, Hodgkin Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dose Level 1A: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2Biological

    2 x 10^7 cells/m2

  • Dose Level 2A: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2Biological

    6 x 10^7 cells/m2

  • Dose Level 2B: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2Biological

    6 x 10^7 cells/m2

  • Dose Level 3B: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2Biological

    2 x 10^8 cells/m2

  • Dose Level 3A: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2Biological

    2 x 10^8 cells/m2

  • Dose Level 1B: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2Biological

    2 x 10^7 cells/m2

Study groups in NCT04664179
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Arm A: Treatment without lymphodepletion chemotherapyExperimentalC7R-EBVSTs Group B will be activated if only limited expansion and clinical efficacy is observed in Group A
Receives: Biological: Dose Level 1A: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2; Biological: Dose Level 2A: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2; Biological: Dose Level 3A: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2
Arm B: Treatment with lymphodepletion chemotherapyExperimentalC7R-EBVSTs with lymphodepletion chemotherapy
Receives: Biological: Dose Level 2B: 6 x 10^7 cells/m2; Biological: Dose Level 3B: 2 x 10^8 cells/m2; Biological: Dose Level 1B: 2 x 10^7 cells/m2

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. 1. Dose limiting toxicity rate (DLT) by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0

    Dose-limiting toxicity is defined as any irreversible, life threatening or non-hematologic Grade 3-5 event considered to be primarily related to the EBVST infusion, with the exception of Grade 3-4 expected reactions such as fever and hypotension/ Grade 3-4 CRS toxicity persistent beyond 72 hours.

    Measured: 28 days post infusion

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. 1. Response rate by Lymphoma Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy (LYRIC) criteria

    The response rate is calculated as the percentage of patients whose best response is either complete response or partial response according to Lyric criteria.

    Measured: 6 weeks (±2 weeks) post infusion

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Dec 2020
  2. Study start31 Oct 2022
  3. Primary completionNov 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionNov 2042 (estimated)

Resources

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
Sequential
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
52 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04664179
Sponsor's protocol ID
H-47906 CILESTE
Other IDs
P50CA126752
Acronym
CILESTE
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
7 Dec 2020
Last updated
25 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Sharma S, Mehta NU, Sauer T, Rollins LA, Dittmer DP, Rooney CM. Cotargeting EBV lytic as well as latent cycle antigens increases T-cell potency against lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2024 Jul 9;8(13):3360-3371. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012183.

    PubMed 38640255
  • Sharma S, Sauer T, Omer BA, Shum T, Rollins LA, Rooney CM. Constitutive Interleukin-7 Cytokine Signaling Enhances the Persistence of Epstein-Barr Virus-Specific T-Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Oct 31;24(21):15806. doi: 10.3390/ijms242115806.

    PubMed 37958791

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