Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Treatment of viral infections using rapidly generated T cells

Official title: Phase I Study of Adoptive Immunotherapy of Refractory Viral Infection With ex Vivo Expanded Rapidly Generated Virus Specific T (R-MVST) Cells

Run by Columbia University · NCT05183490 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment using specially made T cells to help patients with weakened immune systems who are struggling with serious viral infections like Epstein-Barr or cytomegalovirus.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment36 (estimated)
SponsorColumbia University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsAlemtuzumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, methotrexate, prednisone, rituximab
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 3, 2022
Main results expectedJune 2028
Study endsJune 2028
Registry record updatedJune 10, 2026
Trial IDNCT05183490 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a history of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or solid organ transplantation (SOT) who exhibit evidence of viral reactivation or infection.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have a history of HCT or SOT and are not experiencing viral reactivation or symptomatic disease from the targeted viruses may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of administering rapidly generated virus specific T cells (R-MVST) to patients suffering from refractory viral reactivation or symptomatic disease caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus (ADV), or BK virus. The R-MVST cells will be produced on-demand from partially HLA-matched healthy donors or the original allo-transplant donor if available. Participants will be closely monitored for potential toxicities, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and the study will assess the impact of R-MVST infusion on viral load, recovery of antiviral immunity, clinical responses, and overall survival. The trial focuses on patients with weakened immune systems who are at risk of severe complications from these viral infections.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a novel therapeutic option for patients with severe viral infections that are resistant to standard antiviral therapies.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using rapidly generated virus specific T cells is innovative, similar studies targeting viral infections in immunocompromised patients have shown promise, suggesting potential for success.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Recipient Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women ages 18 years or older of all ethnic groups will be eligible for the treatment
* Patients with history of HCT or SOT who demonstrate evidence of viral reactivation and/or infection manifesting as end-organ or systemic disease due to one or more of the following viruses: EBV, CMV, ADV or BK virus and suboptimal response to the standard of care therapy.
* Recurrent or Multiple Viral Infection. RVI defined as occurrence of more than one episode of reactivation that required intervention or symptomatic disease in recipient of allogeneic HCT that required standard of care treatment. MVI defined as more than one virus reactivating (defined by PCR positivity) or causing symptomatic systemic or end-organ disease. At least one of those viral reactivations required standard of care intervention. No standard of care therapy is defined for ADV and BK. Patients with multiple infections/reactivations will be eligible as long as at least one of those viral infections meet the criterium of "refractory".

Recipient Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with other uncontrolled infections, except for CMV, EBV, ADV or BK. For bacterial infections, patients must be receiving definitive therapy and have no signs of progressing infection for 72 hours prior to the day of infusion. For fungal infections, patients must be receiving definitive systemic anti-fungal therapy and have no signs of progressing infection for 1 week prior to R-MVST infusion. Progressing infection is defined as hemodynamic instability attributable to sepsis or new symptoms, worsening physical signs or radiographic findings attributable to infection. Persisting fever without other signs or symptoms will not be interpreted as progressing infection
* Patients who receive corticosteroids at ≥ 0.5mg/kg prednisone or equivalent.
* Patients who received anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG, Alemtuzumab (Campath), or other T-Cell immunosupressive monoclonal antibodies in the last 28 days.
* Patients who received methotrexate, or other antimetabolite-type immunosuppressants that are toxic to proliferating T cells in the last 7 days.
* Patients who received extracorporeal photopheresis within the last 28 days.
* Patients who received checkpoint inhibitor agents (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab) within 3 drug half-lives of the most recent dose to the infusion of R-MVST.
* Received donor lymphocyte infusion in last 28 days.
* Evidence of GVHD ≥ grade 2
* Evidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection in SOT recipients
* Active and uncontrolled relapse of malignancy
* Patients who are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
* Female of childbearing potential, or male with a female partner of childbearing potential, unwilling to use a highly effective method of contraception.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Patients who have received investigational (IND) product within 14 days of infusion of the the R-MVST cells.

Donor inclusion and exclusion criteria will be followed as per the most current BMT SOP (Donor selection, Donor evaluation and Donor Deferral).

Where it's running

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.