Gene therapy and chemotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma

Phase I-II Study Evaluating HSV-tk + Valacyclovir Gene Therapy Combination With Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

This study is testing a new treatment combining gene therapy, a medication, and radiation with chemotherapy to see if it helps people with recurrent glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma who haven't responded to other treatments.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 62 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT03596086 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a combination of HSV-tk gene therapy, valacyclovir, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma. It is a prospective phase I-II trial involving patients who have not responded to standard treatments. Clinical responses will be assessed through neurological evaluations, imaging studies, and histological examinations, alongside monitoring for toxicity and systemic immunological responses. The study aims to provide insights into median time to progression and overall survival rates.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with biopsy-proven recurrent glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma who have failed standard treatments and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with multifocal tumors or significant brainstem involvement may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new treatment option for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While gene therapy approaches have been explored in other studies, this specific combination of treatments is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients must have biopsy proven recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme without evidence of multifocal tumor or brainstem involvement. Multifocal disease does not exist if enhancing areas are connected by abnormal T2 FLAIR on the MRI scan.
* Radiographic evidence of recurrence/progression by iRANO criteria
* ≥ 3 weeks since any major surgery, completion of RT, or completion of all prior systemic anticancer therapy (adequately recovered from the acute toxicities of any prior therapy).
* Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks.
* Patient can receive second treatment of HSV-tk after 6 months
* Patients should have the following characteristics: recurrent glioblastoma or AA demonstrated by biopsy or imaging study, ECOG performance status of 0-1, has had prior surgery and radiotherapy /chemotherapy for the glioblastoma.
* Patients with leptomeningeal disease may be considered for enrollment into the study.
* No evidence of other active malignancy (except squamous or basal cell skin cancers).
* Signed informed consent to participate in the study must be obtained from patients after they have been fully informed of the nature and potential risks of the study by the investigator (or his/her designee) with the aid of written information.
* Willing to provide biopsies as required by the study.
* WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the administration of the first study treatment. Women must not be lactating.
* WOCBP and men must practice an effective method of birth control
* Patients must have adequate baseline organ function as assessed by the following laboratory values before initiating the protocol:

  * serum creatinine \< 1.5 mg/dL
  * T. bilirubin \< 2.5 mg/dL, ALT, AST, GGT and AP \< 2 x normal
  * Platelet count. \> 100,000/ml , ANC\> 1500/ml , Hgb\> 10 gm/dL
  * Normal partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and Pro-Thrombin Time (PT)
* Non English speaking patients can participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior treatment with immunomodulatory therapy, immunotherapy, and/or gene vector therapy in the past 3 months.
* Any cytotoxic chemotherapy, RT, or immunotherapy or any investigational drug for this brain tumor within 3 weeks of study treatment start.
* Evidence of multifocal disease, brainstem involvement
* Patients on immunosuppressive drugs (other than steroids for brain edema).
* In patients with leptomeningeal disease, no evidence of diffuse disease or spread to the spine.
* In patients with leptomeningeal disease, no bulky leptomeningeal metastases with potential to obstruct CSF flow will not be enrolled.
* Liver disease, such as cirrhosis or active/chronic hepatitis B or C.
* History of or current alcohol misuse/abuse within the past 12 months.
* Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the proposed regimen (gene vector-HSV-tk, Valacyclovir).
* Inability to swallow food or any condition of the upper gastrointestinal tract that precludes administration of oral medications (Valacyclovir).
* No active malignancy except for non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer or treated cancer from which the patient has been continuously disease free for more than 5 years.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women/men able to conceive and unwilling to practice an effective method of birth control. WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the administration of the first study treatment.
* Presence of active or suspected acute or chronic uncontrolled infection or history of immunocompromise, including a positive HIV test result.
* Patients \< 18 years of age
* Unwilling or unable to comply with the study protocol.
* The presence of active CNS toxoplasmosis infection or Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy demonstrated on CT or MRI imaging.
* The presence of active untreated cellulitis or untreated wound infections. Treated and resolving cellulitis and infections are not an exclusion criteria.
* Active IV drug abuse or severe opioid abuse

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• Houston Methodist Neurological Institute — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: David S Baskin, MD — Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
• Study coordinator: David S Baskin, MD

Conditions Glioblastoma Multiforme; Astrocytoma, Grade III; GBM; glioblastoma; Astrocytoma