Using CT0180 cells to treat advanced liver cancer

An Open, Dose Escalation/Dose Exploration, Phase I Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Single/Multiple Infusion of CT0180 Injection in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study is testing a new type of cell treatment for advanced liver cancer to see if it is safe and helps patients whose tumors have a specific marker.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Zhejiang University (other)
• Drugs / interventions: regofinib, renvastinib, chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
• Trial ID: NCT04756648 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase I clinical trial evaluates the safety and tolerance of CT0180 cells in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The study aims to assess the metabolic kinetics of these cells and their initial efficacy in treating patients who have GPC3-positive tumors. Participants will receive CT0180 cell infusions, and their responses will be monitored over a 28-day period following the first treatment. The trial focuses on patients who have previously undergone systemic treatments and are not suitable for surgery or local radical treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma that is GPC3-positive and who have not responded to previous systemic treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma or those who are suitable for surgical intervention may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel, similar studies targeting GPC3 in liver cancer have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18 to 75 years, either sex；
2. Patients with clinically or pathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with surgery or local treatment It is not suitable for surgery or local radical treatment;
3. Progression or intolerance after at least one previous systemic treatment, or due to specific reasons unable to receive systemic treatment. Systemic therapy can include: Programmed Death 1（PD-1） / programmed cell death-Ligand 1（PD-L1） monoclonal antibody Antibodies, molecular targeted drugs (e.g. sorafenib, regofinib, renvastinib)and conventional chemotherapy, etc;
4. According to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer（BCLC）, the patients are classified into Grade C or Grade B unsuitable for local treatment/progressive disease after local treatment;
5. In tumor tissue samples GPC3 is detected positive by immunohistochemistry (IHC);
6. According to Response Evaluation Criteria in SolidTumors（RECIST1.1）,patients have at least one evaluable target lesion, defined as: the longest diameter of non-lymph node lesion ≥ 10 mm, or the shortest diameter of lymph node lesion ≥ 15 mm); hepatic lesions require arterial phase contrast enhancement;
7. Expected survival is \> 12 weeks;
8. Cirrhosis status Child-Pugh score: Grade A;
9. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group（ ECOG） Performance Status score: 0 to 1 point;
10. If the patient is HBsAg positive or HBcAb positive, HBV-DNA should be \<2000 IU/ml. HBsAg positive patients must receive antiviral treatment ;
11. Acceptable routine blood test showing no contraindication to the lymphodepletion pretreatment and adequate liver, renal, cardiovascular, respiratory function;
12. Have venous accesses for apheresis;
13. Subjects of childbearing age must undergo a serum pregnancy test within 14 days before the initiation of the study and the result must be negative. In addition, they should be willing to use a reliable method of contraception during the trial (within 52 weeks after cell infusion); male subjects whose spouses are women of childbearing age should undergo sterilization surgery or agree to use a reliable method of contraception during the trial;
14. Understand and sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women;
2. Hepatitis virus C antibodies ,human immunodeficiency virus（HIV） antibodies or Syphilis Serological tests are positive;
3. Any uncontrol active infection, including but not limited to active tuberculosis;
4. Have clinically significant thyroid dysfunction except the stable control after treatment;
5. Previous or present hepatic encephalopathy;
6. Current clinically significant ascites;
7. Imaging results:≥50% of the liver is replaced by tumor or portal vein main tumor thrombus, or metastases to the central nervous system, or tumor thrombus invasion of mesenteric vein / inferior vena cava;
8. Patients with a history of organ transplantation or waiting for organ transplantation (including liver transplantation);
9. The side effects caused by the previous treatment of the subjects did not return to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events（CTCAE） ≤1; except hair loss and other tolerable events determined by investigator;
10. Patients who had received systemic steroids or other immunosuppressive agents within 7 days before apheresis, except inhaled steroids;
11. History of severe allergy ,allergic to CT0180 cell fluid adjuvant such as Dimethyl sulfoxide（DMSO）;
12. Has signs of central nervous system disease or an abnormal neurological examination with clinical significance;
13. Subjects with unstable or active ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or pump inhibitor intolerance;
14. Patients with a history of organ transplantation or waiting for organ transplantation;
15. Previously received anti-PD-1/ PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy within 4 weeks or local treatment and systemic chemotheray within 2 weeks or immunotheray and molecular targeted drugs within 1 week before apheresis;
16. Previously received GPC3 targeted therapy;
17. Major surgery or significant trauma occurred within 4 weeks before apheresis, or it is expected that major surgery needs to be performed during the trial;
18. Patients who had incurable malignant tumors in the past 5 years or at the same time, except cervical cancer in situ and basal cell carcinoma of skin;
19. Other serious diseases that may restrict the subjects from participating in the trial ；
20. The researcher assessed that the subjects were unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the trial protocol.

Where this trial is running

Hangzhou, Zhejiang

• First affiliated hospital, Zhejiang University — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Tingbo Liang — The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University
• Study coordinator: Weijia Fang

Conditions: Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma, CT0180 Cells, GPC3