GCAR1 CAR-T therapy for GPNMB-expressing solid tumours
Official title: A Phase I Study of GCAR1, a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-CELL Therapy for Participants With Selected Relapsed/Refractory GPNMB-Expressing Solid Tumours
Run by Canadian Cancer Trials Group · NCT07297667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests different doses of GCAR1 CAR-T cells in people with specific cancers that make high levels of the GPNMB protein to see if the treatment is safe and how it affects the cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 15 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Canadian Cancer Trials Group Research network |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, CAR-T, chimeric antigen receptor |
| Locations | 4 sites (Calgary, Alberta and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 30, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2033 |
| Registry record updated | October 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07297667 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults or adolescents with one of the included cancers that express high levels of GPNMB and meet specific health criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without high GPNMB expression or with certain health conditions may not benefit from GCAR1 therapy.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a Phase 1, interventional trial conducted in Canada to determine the maximum tolerated dose of GCAR1 CAR-T cells. Participants have alveolar soft part sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma (excluding clear cell), or triple negative breast cancer with high GPNMB expression. Patients receive lymphodepletion with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide followed by GCAR1 infusion. The study monitors safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity to inform further testing. Central lab confirmation of GPNMB expression is required, and measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 is necessary.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience tumor control or slowed progression from GCAR1 therapy.
How similar studies have gone: CAR-T approaches targeting solid tumours have shown safety signals in early trials, but results are still early and variable; this study explores a novel target (GPNMB) in specific cancers.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Archival tumour specimen must be positive for GPNMB with high expression by immunohistochemistry (central laboratory testing). * Histologically and/or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of one of the following tumours that is advanced/ metastatic/ recurrent or unresectable, for which no curative therapy exists. * alveolar soft part sarcoma * renal cell carcinoma (excluding clear cell) * triple negative breast cancer (ER, PR and HER-2 negative as defined by ASCO/CAP criteria) * Must have a formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue block (from primary or metastatic tumour) available and must have provided informed consent for the release of the block. * Presence of radiologically documented disease. * Measurable disease as defined by RECIST 1.1. * ASPS participants ≥ 15 years of age. * TNBC and RCC participants ≥ 18 years of age. * ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 or Karnofsky or Lansky \> 60. * Anticipated life expectancy of ≥ 6 months. * Must have received prior systemic therapy as shown below; * ASPS - completed all systemic therapy available that has been shown to improve survival (unless contraindicated). * TNBC 1. Progressive disease following at least one line of systemic treatment for metastatic disease which must include an ADC (all participants) and an ICI (participants whose tumours express PD-L1). 2. ≤3 lines of treatment for metastatic disease. 3. Must have had at least 1 prior line of cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer, in any setting, which must have included an anthracycline and a taxane (unless contraindicated). * RCC - must have progressive disease following at least one line of systemic treatment for metastatic disease that must have included an ICI and a VEGFR targeted agent (unless contraindicated). * Participants must have recovered to ≤ grade 1 from all reversible toxicity related to prior therapies. * Adequate washout must be followed per protocol. * Previous major surgery is permitted ≥21 days prior to enrollment * Prior external beam radiation is permitted ≥28 prior to enrollment. Concurrent radiotherapy is not permitted. * Adequate hematologic and biochemical parameters. * Consent and assent, when applicable, must be appropriately obtained in accordance with applicable local and regulatory requirements. Each participant or their parent/ legal guardian (if applicable) must sign a consent form prior to screening onto the trial to document their willingness to participate. * Fit for leukapheresis and has adequate venous access for cell collection. * Must be accessible for treatment and follow up at the participating centre for a minimum of 12 months or for as long as is deemed necessary by the treating physician. * Participants of childbearing potential must have agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method. Exclusion criteria * Participants on active anticancer therapy for other advanced or metastatic malignancies. * Concurrent treatment with other anti-cancer therapy * Prior therapy with a gene therapy product or any adoptive T cell therapy or prior GPNMB targeting therapy. * Live attenuated vaccination administered within 30 days prior to or planned within 30 days after GCAR1 therapy. * Primary immunodeficiency or history of severe autoimmune disease (including: Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus) requiring immunosuppressive agents/ systemic disease modifying agents within 2 years of enrollment. * Active or uncontrolled infections or with serious illnesses or medical conditions which would not permit the participant to be managed according to the protocol including but not limited to: * Hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV). For participants with previous HBV or HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable viral load via quantitative PCR and/or nucleic acid testing * HIV * Uncontrolled fungal, bacterial, viral or other infection * Current infection with HTLV * Tuberculosis * Syphilis * West Nile Virus * Untreated and/or uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions and/or symptomatic cardiac dysfunction (including cardiac ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication, history of 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular conduction defects) or unstable angina congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction within the previous year. * Known sensitivity or allergy to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide or any of their components, or to GCAR1 or any of its components. * Active intracerebral metastases or leptomeningeal disease. Participants who have received definitive treatment, are clinically stable and do not require corticosteroids are eligible to participate in the trial. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Where it's running
-
Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Calgary, Alberta, Canada Recruiting -
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
The Research Institute of the McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura Pearce
- Email: lpearce@ctg.queensu.ca
- Phone: 613-533-6430
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.