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Glioblastoma (GBM)Phase 1BATs FUSNCT07343986

Study of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Combination With Immunotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Unmethylated Glioblastoma

A Phase 1 study testing anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells and Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in people with Glioblastoma (GBM), run by University of Virginia at 1 site 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
Search all trials

Trial summary

This is a phase 1 study for patients with newly diagnosed MGMT unmethylated IDH wild-type glioblastoma utilizing autologous activated T-cells armed with bispecific antibody (EGFR-BATs) that recognize the tumor. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Glioblastoma (GBM)
What is being tested?
anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells and Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
12 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
23 Mar 2026to Dec 2028
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 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma or gliosarcoma IDH wildtype and MGMT unmethylated that express EGFR (score ≥ 1 by IHC)) and confirmed by UVA pathology review.
  • Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 70 years at the time of signing informed consent.
  • Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 70.
  • Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial.
  • Females of childbearing potential, and males, must be willing to use an effective method of contraception.
  • Maximal surgical debulking of the tumor was performed where residual contrast enhancement is 2 cm3 or less on immediate post-operative MRI. Intraoperative post-resection MRI is acceptable.
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  • Able to communicate during the LIFU BBB opening procedure.
  • BBB opening target(s) must lie in non-eloquent area(s).
  • The brain tumor to be treated must be in the treatment envelope of the NaviFUS system with a minimum distance of 30 mm from the inner skull table.
  • Females of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test. Males who are partners of females of childbearing potential must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study and for 1 month following completion of the EGFR BATs infusions.
  • Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1. All screening labs should be performed within 10 days before leukapheresis.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a diagnosis of another malignancy within 2 years of being on-study. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy, or any type of in situ cancer. Patients must not be on any treatment for another malignancy.
  • Patients undergoing only biopsy (partial resection or greater is required).
  • Patients with cerebellar or brainstem tumors.
  • Patients with evidence of leptomeningeal dissemination or subependymal spread on initial MRI.
  • Patients with extracranial metastases.
  • Patients with evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage.
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  • Known hypersensitivity to cetuximab or another EGFR antibody.
  • Known sensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents.
  • Known sensitivity to Lumason® ultrasound contrast agent.
  • Alpha 1,3 Galactose IgE ("alpha gal") test result outside of the reference range (indicating likely hypersensitivity to cetuximab).
  • Patients with claustrophobia.
  • Clips, shunts, or other non-MRI compatible metallic implanted objects in the skull or the brain.
  • Evidence of active bleeding or bleeding diathesis.
  • Unable to discontinue use of anticoagulant therapy as per local standard.
  • Scalp atrophy or scars in the expected location of the ultrasound transducer.
  • Cardiac Status: Patients will be ineligible for treatment on this protocol if (before protocol entry):
  • There is a history of a recent (within one year) myocardial infarction or stroke.
  • There is a current or prior history of angina/coronary symptoms requiring medications and/or a history of depressed left ventricular function (LVEF < 45%).
  • Patient has a pacemaker.
  • There is clinical evidence of congestive heart failure requiring medical management.
  • Has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies) or known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).
  • Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of leukapheresis.
  • Has received any treatment for GBM besides surgery.
  • Females must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy except for corticosteroids
  • Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  • A patient may be excluded if, in the opinion of the treating investigator, the patient is not capable of being compliant.

Trial locations and contacts

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

Bettina Wagner, B.A. contact

434-243-7336

WXQ9ET@uvahealth.org

CJ Woodburn, B.S. contact

434-243-9900

CJW4V@uvahealth.org

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903

    Bettina Wagner, B.A., 434-243-7336, WXQ9ET@uvahealth.org

    CJ Woodburn, B.S., CJW4V@uvahealth.org

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Phase I Clinical Trial of Anti-CD3 × Anti-EGFR Bispecific-armed T Cells (EGFR BATs) and Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) Blood-brain Barrier Opening in Patients With MGMT Unmethylated Glioblastoma (GBM)

This is a phase 1 study for patients with newly diagnosed MGMT unmethylated IDH wild-type glioblastoma utilizing autologous activated T-cells armed with bispecific antibody (EGFR-BATs) that recognize the tumor. The investigators hypothesized that the combination of infusions of EGFR BATs and low-intensity focused ultrasound would induce blood-brain barrier opening and increase the permeability of the adoptive immunotherapy. The investigators will radiolabel the EGFR BATs with 89Zr-oxine for subsequent PET imaging to determine the trafficking and uptake of this approach. There is a concern that several infusions of EGFR BATs before BBB opening could change the immune tumor microenvironment that would not allow a permissive BBB after LIFU. Therefore, Arm A will have two LIFU with BBB opening after the 4th and the 8th infusion, and Arm B will have three LIFU with BBB opening after the 1st, 4th, and 8th infusions. This study will determine the safety and feasibility of the combination of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) with microbubbles BBB opening and EGFR BATs and the access of the adoptive cell immunotherapy to the tumor microenvironment to inform future studies.

Being tested
anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells, Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Keywords
Focused Ultrasound, Unmethylated, Immune Therapy
Medical subject headings
Glioblastoma

What participants receive

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

  • anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cellsDrug

    Also called EGFR BATs

    IN PROGRESS

  • Low-Intensity Focused UltrasoundDevice

    Also called LIFU

    Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound will be used to open the blood-brain barrier

Study groups in NCT07343986
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Arm AActive comparatorArm A will have Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) after infusions 4 and 8.
Receives: Drug: anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells; Device: Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Arm BActive comparatorArm B will have Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) after infusions 1, 4 and 8.
Receives: Drug: anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells; Device: Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

What is being measured

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

  1. The safety of this treatment will be evaluated through the number of participants experiencing Grade ≥3 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs).

    The safety will be evaluated by determining the number of participants who experience Grade ≥3 DLTs according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 during EGFR BAT and LIFU BBB opening after RT/TMZ. The scale displays Grades 1 through 5 and refers to the severity of the AE. A higher grade (e.g., 5) represents a worse outcome.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. The feasibility of this treatment will be determined by the proportion of participants achieving ≥75% of the recommended EGFR BATs dose

    The feasibility of this treatment will be determined by calculating the proportion of participants achieving ≥75% (60 x 10^9 EGFR BATs) of the recommended Phase II EGFR BAT dose.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) based on physical examination, vital signs, laboratory parameters, serum chemistry and hematology

    Safety will be quantified using AE counts and severity grading per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Physical examinations, vital signs, and laboratory studies will be recorded.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Brain uptake of 89Zr-oxine-labeled EGFR BATs measured by PET standardized uptake values (SUV) with and without LIFU BBB opening

    Three PET imaging scans will be taken to quantify trafficking of labeled EGFR BATs into the GBM microenvironment. PET signal (SUV) will be compared across time points and between LIFU BBB-opened and non-opened regions.

    Measured: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Change from baseline in peripheral immune response markers (CTL cytotoxicity)

    Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline and at protocol-specified time points after treatment initiation. Immune response will be determined by CTL cytotoxicity. Changes from baseline will be summarized for each patient.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. Change from baseline in peripheral immune response markers (IFN-γ ELISpot Counts)

    Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline and at protocol-specified time points after treatment initiation. Immune responses will be determined by IFN-γ ELISpot Counts (SFU). Changes from baseline will be summarized for each patient.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Change from baseline in peripheral immune response markers (Th1/Th2 serum cytokine concentrations)

    Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline and at protocol-specified time points after treatment initiation. Immune responses will be determined by Th1/Th2 serum cytokine concentrations. Changes from baseline will be summarized for each patient.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. PET-based quantification of 89Zr-oxine-labeled EGFR BAT trafficking across the BBB and into the GBM microenvironment after infusions and Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU).

    PET imaging will be used to measure radiotracer uptake (SUV) in the brain and tumor regions following infusions of 89Zr-labeled EGFR BATs. PET SUV after the 1st infusion's LIFU will be compared to the PET SUV after the 4th and the 8th infusion's LIFU.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  5. PET-based quantification of 89Zr-oxine-labeled EGFR BAT trafficking across the BBB and into the GBM microenvironment with versus without Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU).

    PET imaging will be used to measure radiotracer uptake (SUV) in the brain and tumor regions following infusions of 89Zr-labeled EGFR BATs. PET scans with and without LIFU BBB opening will be compared within patients and between study arms (Arm A vs Arm B). Specifically, PET SUV of patients who had LIFU after the infusion will be compared to patients who did not have LIFU after the infusion.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  6. Quantitative levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)

    Peripheral blood will be collected before the 1st, 4th, and 8th EGFR BAT infusions and 1-2 hours after LIFU BBB opening. ctDNA concentration will be measured and expressed as absolute values and change from baseline.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  7. Quantitative levels of antibodies against tumor-associated antigens (IgG anti-EGFR and IgG anti-HER2)

    Peripheral blood will be collected before the 1st, 4th, and 8th EGFR BAT infusions and 1-2 hours after LIFU BBB opening. The serum concentration of IgG anti-EGFR and IgG anti-HER2 will be measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

    Measured: 8 weeks

  8. Progression-free survival (PFS) measured using modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria.

    PFS will be defined as the time from surgery to the earliest date of confirmed radiographic or clinical progression determined by MRI and using modified RANO criteria. Progression will be determined by ≥25% increase in bidirectional product or ≥40% volumetric increase, development of new measurable disease, or clinical deterioration attributable to tumor. RANO scoring evaluates brain tumor response to treatment using MRI scans, categorizing the outcomes Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), Stable Disease (SD), and Progressive Disease (PD) based on changes in tumor size (measured by Sum of Perpendicular Diameters or volumetric methods).

    Measured: From date of surgery to date of first documented progression, assessed up to 104 weeks.

  9. Overall survival (OS)

    OS will be defined as the time from surgery to death from any cause.

    Measured: From date of surgery to date of documented death, assessed up to 104 weeks.

  10. Correlation between immune response measures and clinical outcomes

    Immune biomarkers (CTL cytotoxicity, IFN-γ ELISpot counts, Th1/Th2 cytokines, antibodies, ctDNA) will be correlated with clinical outcomes, including objective radiographic response (modified RANO), PFS, and OS. Associations will be evaluated using continuous and categorical analyses.

    Measured: From baseline until 1-year post-treatment completion

  11. Objective response rate (ORR) per modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria

    ORR will be calculated as the proportion of participants achieving confirmed complete response or partial response, defined by modified RANO volumetric or bidimensional thresholds. RANO scoring evaluates brain tumor response to treatment using MRI scans, categorizing the outcomes Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), Stable Disease (SD), and Progressive Disease (PD) based on changes in tumor size (measured by Sum of Perpendicular Diameters or volumetric methods).

    Measured: From baseline until 1-year post-treatment completion

  12. Incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) and laboratory abnormalities

    Safety will be assessed through physical examinations, vital signs, laboratory studies, serum chemistry and hematology. AEs will be graded using CTCAE v5.0. Counts and severity grades will be summarized over the treatment period.

    Measured: From baseline through 30-days post-treatment completion

Timeline

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

  1. First posted15 Jan 2026
  2. Study start23 Mar 2026
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2028 (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
12 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07343986
Sponsor's protocol ID
HSR231550
Acronym
BATs FUS
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
25 Nov 2025
Last updated
6 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Fadul CE, Thakur A, Kim J, Kassay-McAllister J, Schalk D, Lopes MB, Donahue J, Purow B, Dillon P, Le T, Schiff D, Liu Q, Lum LG. Phase I study targeting newly diagnosed grade 4 astrocytoma with bispecific antibody armed T cells (EGFR BATs) in combination with radiation and temozolomide. J Neurooncol. 2024 Jan;166(2):321-330. doi: 10.1007/s11060-024-04564-y. Epub 2024 Jan 23.

    PubMed 38263486

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing anti-EGFR bispecific-armed T cells and Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in people with Glioblastoma (GBM), run by University of Virginia 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?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 27 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 May 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 Bettina Wagner, B.A. (434-243-7336, WXQ9ET@uvahealth.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The safety of this treatment will be evaluated through the number of participants experiencing Grade ≥3 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07343986, 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 6 May 2026.

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