TROP2 CAR/IL-15 TGFBR2 KO NK cells for stomach cancer that has spread to the peritoneum
Official title: Phase 1/2 Window Of Opportunity Study Of TROP2 CAR/IL-15 TGFBR2 KO NK Cells Delivered Intraperitoneally For The Management Of Gastric Cancer Metastatic To The Peritoneum
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT07509008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing a special cell therapy delivered into the abdomen to see if it is safe and can help people with stomach cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Zolbetuximab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 11, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | July 1, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07509008 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with histologically confirmed metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma involving the peritoneum, ECOG 0-1, suitable for intraperitoneal therapy and able to provide informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients for whom the therapy is not tolerated or does not show tumor response may not experience benefits and could still face treatment-related risks.
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 1/2 study evaluating the safety, maximum tolerated dose, and recommended Phase 2 dose of TROP2 CAR/IL-15 TGFBR2 KO NK cells given intraperitoneally in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. The trial also collects data on how long infused cells persist, changes in the peritoneal tumor environment, and correlations between circulating tumor DNA and response. Secondary goals include estimating overall survival and profiling immune and lymphocyte dynamics before and after treatment. The study uses adjunct agents Rimiducid, Fludarabine, and Cyclophosphamide as part of the regimen. Eligible participants are adults with good performance status and stomach cancer confirmed by histology, enrolled at MD Anderson in Houston.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience tumor control or slowed progression and potential survival benefit from this novel cell therapy approach.
How similar studies have gone: Early trials of CAR NK cell therapies have shown safety signals and potential activity in solid tumors, but this specific intraperitoneal, TROP2-directed, IL-15 co-stimulated CAR NK approach is investigational with limited prior human data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects must be 18 years or older. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of CAR NK cells in combination with our standard of care approaches of cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients \<18 years of age, children are excluded from this study. 2. Subjects must be willing and able to provide informed consent. 3. Subjects must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. 4. A female participant is eligible to participate if at least one of the following conditions applies: 1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) as defined in Appendix 1 OR 2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidelines in Appendix 1 during the treatment period and for at least 3 months after the last dose of study treatment. 5. Subjects must have histology confirming diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction with pathology reviewed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. 6. Subjects must have histology confirming diagnosis of Stage IV adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction metastatic to the peritoneum based on either positive cytology (peritoneal washings/ascites) or peritoneal biopsy, with pathology reviewed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Ovarian metastases are considered peritoneal metastases. Disease outside the peritoneal cavity is allowed as long as metastases are present within the peritoneal cavity. 7. Subjects must be at least 4 weeks from last cytotoxic chemotherapy at the time of starting lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Zolbetuximab may be continued during the peritoneal-directed treatment and NK cell therapy. 8. Subjects must be willing and able to undergo a minimally invasive staging cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal port placement and scheduled peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood draws. 9. Subjects must have adequate organ function as defined in the following table (Table 1). Specimens must be collected within 10 days prior to the start of study treatment. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 3 months after the last dose of trial treatment. WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours of admission prior to lymphodepleting chemotherapy (see Appendix 1). 2. Has received systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks of starting lymphodepleting chemotherapy. 3. If a participant received previous systemic or targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting study treatment. In patients receiving standard of care zolbetuximab, this therapy may be continued. 4. Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention. Participants must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities, not require corticosteroids, and not have had radiation pneumonitis. A 1-week washout is permitted for palliative radiation (≤2 weeks of radiotherapy) to non-central nervous system (CNS) disease. 5. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed. 6. Is currently receiving another investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention. Participants who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks after the last dose of the previous investigational agent. 7. Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug. 8. Known active CNS metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Participants with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable, i.e. without evidence of progression for at least 4 weeks by repeat imaging (note that the repeat imaging should be performed during study screening), clinically stable and without requirement of steroid treatment for at least 14 days prior to first dose of study intervention. 9. Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 months (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiological corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is allowed. 10. History of interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease. 11. Serious active infection, as determined by Principal Investigator or treating physician, requiring intravenous systemic therapy. 12. Known history of uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Patients with HIV infection and undetectable viral load may participate. 13. Known history of chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus infection. 14. Known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis). 15. History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. 16. Known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. 17. Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant. 18. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 12 months from first dose of study intervention, including New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular event, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability. Note: medically controlled arrhythmia would be permitted. 19. Bleeding or thrombotic disorders or subjects at risk for severe hemorrhage. Subject with known deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism that are under appropriate anti-coagulation treatment are eligible. 20. Radiographic distribution of disease that in the investigator's opinion would impart excessive risk to participation in this protocol. 21. Active peritonitis or diverticulitis. 22. Medical or surgical history that in the treating physician's opinion would make the subject not a suitable candidate for intraperitoneal therapy. Examples would include surgically documentedextensive intraperitoneal adhesions or large volume ascites. 23. History of severe hypersensitivity reaction with biologic therapy (e.g. monoclonal antibodies)
Where it's running
-
UT MD Anderson
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brian D Badgwell, MD — UT MD Anderson
- Study coordinator: Brian D Badgwell, MD
- Email: bbadgwell@mdanderson.org
- Phone: (713) 745-7351
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
CAR-T therapy targeting CDH17 for advanced solid tumors
This study is testing a new CAR-T cell therapy aimed at treating advanced solid tumors that have a specific marker called CDH17 in patients who have run out of other treatment options.
-
Maintenance therapy in metastatic gastric cancer: a multicenter look from Colombia
This study reviews medical records of adults with metastatic gastric cancer in Colombia to see how patients fare after starting maintenance therapy following initial chemotherapy.
-
Targeting CLDN6-positive solid tumors with TJ037130
A first-in-human study will test TJ037130 in adults with advanced solid tumors to see if it is safe, how it behaves in the body, and if it might work against the cancer.
-
Autologous p95HER2 CAR-T Cells in HER2-Positive Cancers
This study tests whether a patient’s own CAR-T cells targeting p95HER2 can be safely given to adults with HER2-positive metastatic cancers to see if it can help control tumors.
-
PF-08634404 plus chemotherapy for advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal adenocarcinoma
This trial will test whether adding the experimental medicine PF-08634404 to chemotherapy helps adults with newly diagnosed, locally advanced or metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal junction, or esophageal adenocarcinoma compared with nivolumab plus chemotherapy.
-
QL1706 (Iparomlimab + Tuvonralimab) with SOX chemotherapy for untreated advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer
This trial will test whether adding QL1706 (two immunotherapy drugs) to SOX chemotherapy helps people with previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer get a better tumor response.
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.