Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia using modified T cells

A Phase I Trial of CD19-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells That Constitutively Secrete Interleukin 18 (19-28z/IL-18) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Phase 1 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT06287528

This study is testing a new treatment using specially modified T cells to see if it can help people with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia who haven't had success with other therapies.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment18 (estimated)
Ages17 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsCAR-T, CAR T, chemotherapy, prednisone
Locations7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06287528 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study involves collecting a patient's T cells through a procedure called leukapheresis, which are then modified in a laboratory to create a specific CAR T-cell therapy known as 19-28z/IL-18. The modified T cells will be administered to patients with various forms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), including both Philadelphia-negative and Philadelphia-positive types, who have not responded to previous treatments. The process of modifying the T cells is expected to take about 2-4 weeks before treatment can begin. This is a Phase 1 interventional study aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of this novel therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients aged 12 years and older with relapsed or refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia who have not responded to prior treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage ALL or those who have not undergone prior treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with refractory or relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies using CAR T-cell therapies have shown promising results in treating various types of leukemia, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must have R/R ALL meeting one of the following criteria:
* For Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative B-ALL: Refractory or relapsed disease to at least 1 prior multiagent systemic chemotherapy regimen that included both induction and consolidation therapy
* For Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive B-ALL: patients must have exhibited persistent or progressive disease following at least 1 prior second- or third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor
* Signed informed consent form (ICF) prior to any study procedures
* Age: The first 3 patients enrolled into the study will be ≥ 17 years of age at time of enrollment. If a DLT is observed, the additional 3 patients in this cohort will also be ≥ 17 years of age. Additional patients will be ≥12 years of age at time of enrollment.
* Documentation of CD19 positivity on leukemia blasts if prior anti-CD19 treatment
* History of prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is allowed if ≥3 months from time of enrollment and no evidence of acute or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
* Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) permitted if ≥4 weeks prior to leukapheresis
* History of secondary CNS or meningeal involvement allowed if:

  * cannot be the only site of disease
  * absence of neurologic symptoms, such as: seizures, stroke-like deficits, altered mental status, aphasia, or psychosis
* Adequate organ function at time of screening, including:

  * ALT or AST ≤5x ULN and total bilirubin ≤2 (or ≤3 if history of Gilbert's syndrome or leukemic infiltration of the liver)
  * Serum creatinine \<2.0mg/100mL
  * SaO2 ≥92% on room air
  * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% within 1 month of screening
* ECOG performance status 0-1 or Lansky performance status ≥ 60 for patients \< 16 years old
* Prior CD19-targeted therapies (including CD19 CAR-T cell and CD19 bispecific T-cell engagers) are allowed including anti-CD19 CAR T therapy, as long as CD19 positivity is confirmed on most recent bone marrow, blood or tumor biopsy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Concurrent active malignancy excluding: nonmelanoma skin cancer or localized solid tumor that has undergone definitive therapy and with low risk of recurrence, e.g., prostate, breast
* Burkitt's leukemia or lymphoma or CML in lymphoid blast crisis
* Radiologically detected or symptomatic CNS disease or CNS 3 disease (i.e., presence of ≥5/µL WBCs in CSF). Subjects with adequately treated CNS leukemia are eligible.
* The following medications are excluded:

  * Steroids: Therapeutic doses of corticosteroids (greater than 10mg daily of prednisone or its equivalent) within 7 days of leukapheresis or 72 hours prior to CAR T cell infusion.
  * Chemotherapy: Systemic chemotherapy should be stopped one week prior to leukapheresis or starting CAR T cell infusion or lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Hydroxyurea for cytoreduction can be administered up to 72 hours before leukapheresis or CAR T cell infusion.
* History of class III-IV New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure, cardiac angioplasty or stenting, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or other clinically significant cardiac condition within 6 months of screening
* Patients with history of significant autoimmune disease and/or inflammatory condition affecting the CNS are ineligible
* Systemic treatment for GVHD within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
* Patients with known severe autoimmune disease (e.g., Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus) that in the investigator's opinion has high likelihood of requiring systemic immune suppressive medications
* Patients with HIV infection
* Patients with active hepatitis B infection (as manifested by either detectable hepatitis B virus DNA by PCR and/or positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen)
* Patients with active hepatitis C infection (as manifested by detectable hepatitis C virus RNA by PCR)
* Patients with uncontrolled systemic fungal, bacterial, viral or other infection including COVID-19 at time of leukapheresis or at time of CAR T cell infusion.
* Other uncontrolled medical or psychological conditions as well as social or logistical issues that may interfere with compliance with the protocol, as determined by the investigator
* Treatment with live, attenuated vaccine \<4 weeks prior to leukapheresis
* Pregnant or lactating/breastfeeding women

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Philadelphia-Negative ALLPhiladelphia-Positive ALLRelapsed ALL, AdultRefractory Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaRefractory Acute Lymphoid Leukemia in RelapsePhiladelphia chromosome negative B-ALLPhiladelphia chromosome positive B-ALL19-28z/IL-18
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.