Fast TIL therapy for cancers that have spread to the pleura, including mesothelioma
Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Pleural Effusions From Epithelial or Mesothelial Primary Tumors: A Phase I Trial (FAST TILS 2)
This study will try a patient's own pleural T cells grown briefly in the lab and given into the chest with local IL-2 to treat people with malignant pleural effusions or pleural mesothelioma who have exhausted standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 79 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute) Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation, prednisone, chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07443020 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This first-in-human Phase 1 approach expands pleural infiltrating T cells (PIT) from a patient’s drained pleural fluid at a local GMP facility and delivers the product directly into the pleural space. Patients undergo outpatient lymphodepleting chemotherapy before intrapleural infusion of the locally manufactured Adoptive Cellular Therapy (ACT) product, followed by two days of intrapleural IL-2 to stimulate the transferred cells while limiting systemic exposure. The protocol uses a pleural catheter for both infusion and IL-2 administration and monitors safety and local tumor effects. Ancillary laboratory studies on pleural fluid collected before and after treatment will explore mechanisms of response or resistance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18–79) with symptomatic, biopsy-proven malignant pleural effusion or pleural mesothelioma who have exhausted or are refractory to available standard-of-care treatments and can tolerate lymphodepleting chemotherapy and pleural catheter procedures.
Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled widespread systemic disease, inadequate organ or cardiac function, active uncontrolled infection, pregnancy, or who cannot undergo lymphodepletion or pleural catheter placement are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce pleural tumor burden and fluid buildup and improve breathing and quality of life by boosting local immune attack on pleural disease.
How similar studies have performed: TIL-based adoptive cell therapies have produced durable responses in melanoma and some solid tumors, but using short-term expanded pleural T cells delivered intrapleurally for pleural metastases is first-in-human and largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with symptomatic, biopsy-proven malignant to the pleura, or mesothelioma with pleural effusions. Patients must have received and be refractory to available standard of care (SOC) therapy specific to their cancer type and must have exhausted or failed available standard of care with clinical benefit.
2. Patients will be ≥ 18 and \< 80 years of age.
3. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test and if sexually active must use an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence, a barrier method (diaphragm or condom), an injectable contraceptive (such as Depo-Provera), or an oral contraceptive. Active contraception should continue for at least 12 months after ACT administration.
Male participants must be willing to practice birth control from the time of enrollment on this study and for 4 months after receiving the preparative regimen.
4. Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 0.45 by MUGA or echocardiography.
5. No requirement for supplemental oxygen and no dyspnea immediately after effusion drainage.
6. ECOG Performance Status 0 or 1.
7. Patients must have an expected survival \> 12 weeks.
8. Patients must be able to comprehend the risks and methods used in this clinical trial and independently consent to participate.
9. Patients must consent to collection of demographic and clinical data.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Infection with HIV and active viral replication. Patients with an undetectable viral load on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) can be considered for participation on this protocol.
2. Infection with hepatitis B and active viral replication.
3. Infection with hepatitis C and active viral replication.
4. Patients currently being treated for bacterial, fungal or viral infection.
5. Documented myocardial infarction within 6 months of study participation and/or symptomatic coronary artery or valvular disease or uncontrolled arrhythmia.
6. Investigational drug use within 30 days before effusion collection.
7. Cytotoxic anti-cancer or radiation therapy administration within 2 weeks of effusion collection. The exclusion does not apply to patients receiving monoclonal antibody therapy targeting immune checkpoint molecules.
8. Corticosteroid therapy \> 10 mg of prednisone (biological equivalent) daily within 2 weeks before effusion collection.
9. Immunosuppressive therapy that cannot be stopped for 4 weeks prior to effusion collection as deemed by the prescribing physician.
10. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant hematological, hepatobiliary, or renal disease:
AST/SGOT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal ALT/SGPT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal Total bilirubin \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal, unless patient has Gilbert Syndrome (\>3.0 times the upper limit of normal) Hemoglobin \< 8 gm/dL or dependent upon transfusion to maintain ≥ 8 gm/dL White blood cell count \< 2,000/mm3 Platelet count \< 100,000/mm3 or dependent upon transfusion to maintain ≥ 100,000 mm3 Creatinine \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal or calculated creatinine clearance ≤ 40 mL/min.
11. Pregnant or lactating females.
12. Prior solid organ transplantation
13. Patients who, in the opinion of the Investigator, will be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures.
14. Patients who belong to a vulnerable population such as the homeless, the developmentally disabled and prisoners or have any condition that impairs their ability to provide informed consent or comply with study schedules or procedures.
15. Patients with documented anaphylaxis as a result of penicillin allergy.
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- AHN West Penn Hospital — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Patrick Wagner, MD — Allegheny Health Network
- Study coordinator: Patrick Wagner, MD
- Email: patrick.wagner@ahn.org
- Phone: 412-359-3731
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.