Ablative radiation before CAR-T therapy for high-risk lymphoma

Phase 2, Single-Arm Trial of Comprehensive Ablative Bridging Irradiation (CABI) Prior to CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy in High-Risk, Relapsed or Refractory Large B Cell Lymphoma in Patients With Bulky Disease

This study is testing if giving radiation therapy before CAR T-cell treatment can help people with high-risk lymphoma have better results.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 27 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (other)
• Drugs / interventions: CAR T, chimeric antigen receptor, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Tampa, Florida)
• Trial ID: NCT06104592 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 2, single-arm, open-label study evaluates the safety and efficacy of comprehensive ablative bridging radiation therapy prior to CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in patients with high-risk relapsed large B-cell lymphoma. The study focuses on patients with bulky disease, defined as lesions measuring 5 cm or larger, and aims to determine if this approach can improve treatment outcomes. Participants will receive radiation to all visible sites of disease before undergoing CAR T-cell therapy, which is a targeted immunotherapy. The study is conducted at the Moffitt Cancer Center, a leading cancer research institution.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with histologically confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have bulky disease and are eligible for CAR T-cell therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with active central nervous system involvement of lymphoma or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy in patients with high-risk large B-cell lymphoma.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, but this specific combination of treatments is being evaluated for the first time.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who plan to receive treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center will be eligible.
* Must have ability to comprehend and the willingness to sign written informed consent for study participation.
* Eligible to receive CAR T-cell therapy (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for LBCL and histological variants approved by the standard of care label
* ECOG performance status 0 to 2.
* At least one high-risk lesion, defined as measuring ≥ 5 cm, that is targetable for radiotherapy per investigator assessment.
* Ability to undergo comprehensive bridging radiation, defined as radiation to all visible sites of disease.
* No evidence or suspicion of active central nervous system (CNS) involvement of lymphoma
* Adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined in protocol.

The effects of therapeutic agents used in this trial on developing human fetus are unknown, and because of this, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation as outlined in criteria below:

* Men must agree to take appropriate precautions to avoid fathering children (with at least 99% certainty) from screening through safety follow up and must refrain from donating sperm during this period. Permitted methods that are at least 99% effective in preventing pregnancy should be communicated to the participants in their understanding confirmed.
* Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test at screening and at time of radiation treatment planning, per standard of care and departmental standard operating procedure. Patients must agree to take appropriate precautions to avoid pregnancy (with at least 99% certainty) from screening through safety follow up. Permitted methods that are at least 99% effective in preventing pregnancy should be communicated to the participants and their understanding confirmed.
* Women of non-childbearing potential (i.e., surgically sterile with a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy OR ≥12 months of amenorrhea) are eligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are currently receiving or who have received any other investigational study agent ≤4 weeks prior to screening visit are ineligible
* Prior treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
* Inability to safely deliver comprehensive radiation therapy to all sites of disease per treating radiation oncologists' discretion
* Participants with clinically significant or uncontrolled cardiac disease, including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction within 6 months from screening, New York Health Association III or IV heart failure, and circulatory collapse requiring vasopressor or inotropic support.
* Participants with arrhythmias that are not stable on a medical management program within 2 weeks of screening are also excluded.
* Evidence of active uncontrolled/untreated infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, opportunistic) of any origin.
* Known positive Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.
* Participants with evidence of active and/or chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.
* Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, HCV must have a negative nucleic acid test post-treatment or spontaneous clearance.
* Participants who require the concurrent use of chronic systemic steroids or immunosuppressant medications. Steroids should not be given within 5 days prior to leukapheresis. Concomitant bridging steroids (Section 6.6) are allowed after leukapheresis.
* Any condition that would, in the investigator's judgement, interfere with full participation in the study and attending required study visits (if outpatient); pose a significant risk to the participant; or interfere with interpretation of study data.
* In the investigator's judgment, the subject is unlikely to complete all protocol-required study visits or procedures, including follow-up visits, or comply with the study requirements for participation including ability to safely undergo radiation treatment planning and delivery.
* Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Females who have undergone surgical sterilization or who have been postmenopausal for at least 12 months are not considered to be of childbearing potential.

Where this trial is running

Tampa, Florida

• Moffitt Cancer Center — Tampa, Florida, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael Jain, MD, PhD — Moffitt Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Ruthie Chae

Conditions: Large B-cell Lymphoma, Relapsed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma