Infusion of Genetically Modified T Cell for Post Transplant Patients With Relapsed Disease

Infusion of Genetically Modified T Cells: A Pilot Study of Tracking and Toxicity

Primary Objective:

• To determine if there is significant toxicity associated with the administration of CD34-TK75 transduced donor lymphocytes after allogeneic BMT for relapsed hematologic malignancies

Secondary Objectives:

• To determine if the patient develops any evidence of anti-leukemic effect from the administration of CD34-TK75 transduced donor lymphocytes
• To determine if ganciclovir administration to patients who develop Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD)results in clinical improvement after infusions of CD34-TK75 transduced lymphocytes.

Sub-Study Objective

The primary purpose is to perform PET imaging of CD34-TK transduced allogeneic donor T cells in patients who have relapsed hematologic malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). At this time the limited amount of cGMP quality virus produced by the NGVL will likely permit the imaging of only 3 patients. Consequently our current objective will be to establish that the TK-expressing cells can be detected by 18FHBG-PET in patient organs relevant for performing additional studies that are currently in the planning stages and for which we are working to produce additional virus.

The ultimate objective will be to use the TK substrate 18FHBG to locate the donor T cells within the recipient as they exert anti-leukemic effects, and the T cells can then be eliminated in response to in vivo administration of ganciclovir, before morbidity and mortality from GvHD occurs. We will use the imaging strategy to define patterns of T cell trafficking in humans pre and post-DLI infusion, and to determine where the cells reside while they mediate GVL in contrast to GvHD. We expect to obtain in vivo PET imaging markers predictive of GvHD before clinical symptoms occur.

This is a phase I study of to determine the safety of the administration of lymphocytes, collected from the bone marrow donor. Donor lymphocytes are often administered in the case of a relapsed cancer after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, in the hope to reduce the amount or size of the relapsed cancer. In this study, we will look for a decrease of the size of the relapsed cancer.

By inserting genetic material (DNA) into the cells (lymphocytes) collected from the donor, these cells will be genetically modified and made very sensitive to the killing effects of a drug called ganciclovir, routinely used in the clinic after bone marrow transplantation to treat virus infections in transplant patients.

This research study is to determine, if administration of the drug ganciclovir to the recipient, after intravenous infusion of the genetically modified cells (lymphocytes) into the recipient, will reduce or even eliminate a life threatening complication of allogeneic transplantation, called graft versus host disease (GvHD). The drug ganciclovir will kill the infused genetically modified donor cells (lymphocytes) so they cannot cause GvHD.

In summary, the overall purpose of this research study is to determine, if administration of a seven day course of the drug ganciclovir to the donor lymphocyte recipient will either decrease the severity of GvHD, or will decrease the number of cases with life-threatening GvHD after donor lymphocyte infusions.

This study will also determine if insertion of a small piece of DNA (a small piece of genetic material), makes these donor lymphocytes opened up and sensitive to the killing effects of the drug ganciclovir, but at the same time does not harm the lymphocytes' ability to reduce the amount or size of the cancer in the recipient. The DNA to be inserted into the donor lymphocytes is transported into these cells by a type of virus called "retrovirus vector". This retrovirus vector is made so the virus cannot divide (cannot make more of itself), and cannot make cells or the recipient sick. Retroviruses do, however, allow for the gene (DNA) they are carrying, to be permanently inserted into the genetic material of the donor lymphocytes. Therefore, this inserted DNA will persist in the donor lymphocytes for the life of the lymphocytes.

Finally, this study will also determine if the administration of genetically manipulated donor lymphocytes is well tolerated.

Sub Study

The goal of this subproject is to see if an imaging procedure called 18FHBG-PET/CT can help us see if the lymphocytes you received have gone to the sites in the body where the anti-cancer effects are taking place.

Inclusion Criteria for Patient:

• Patients must be prior recipients of allogeneic BMT (matched 6/6 or 5/6 according to the National Marrow Donor Program) for any hematologic malignancy. Eligible patients would include those with leukemia, non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Hodgkins Disease, myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple myeloma.

• Patients must have laboratory, histologic, or cytogenetic evidence of disease relapse after allogeneic BMT.

• Patients may not have received prior therapy with transduced or non-transduced donor lymphocytes.

• Patients ≥ 18 years of age.

• The minimum number of transduced and purified lymphocytes from the same donor of donated cells for allogeneic transplant is is 1x105 per kg for all patients.

• Expected survival of patient is at least 4 weeks.

• Required baseline organ function within 14 days prior to study entry:

  • Renal function with creatinine less than 5 mg/dl.
  • Liver function with SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 4 times the upper limit of institutional normal.
  • Bilirubin ≤ 5.0 mg/dl.

• Patient must have signed the informed consent prior to entry and express willingness to meet all the expected requirements of the protocol for the duration of the study.

• ECOG Performance Status ≤ 2

• All patients must agree to a repeat bone marrow, liver, gastro-intestinal or skin biopsies dependent on clinical course.

• Women of child bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test (ß-HCG ) within 7 days of study entry.

• In addition patients # 3 to 8:

  • Must have consented to participation in HRPO 09-0744, "Infusion of Genetically Modified T cells: A Pilot I Study of Tracking and Toxicity
  • Must be willing to undergo 18FHBG-PET/CT-imaging
  • Must be able to tolerate 45-60 minutes of imaging at each imaging timepoint.
  • Women of child bearing potential must have an additional negative high sensitivity pregnancy test (20mlU ß-HCG /ml urine as administered in the Center for Clinical Imaging Research, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University) prior to each imaging session (i.e. at days 10-16 and days 27-33).

Inclusion Criteria for Donor:

• Must be the original donor for the allogeneic bone marrow transplant patient.
• No underlying conditions which would contra-indicate apheresis.
• Must have signed the informed consent and express willingness to meet all the expected requirements stated in the protocol for the duration of the study.
• Must be eligible according to Washington University "Guidelines for Eligibility of Normal Donors"
• Donors ≥ 18 years of age.
• Female donors of childbearing potential must have a confirmed negative pregnancy test.

Exclusion Criteria for Patient:

• Patients receiving immunosuppression (cyclosporin, FK506, prednisone, cellcept, methylprednisolone) for GvHD or other reasons at the time of lymphocyte infusion.

• Patients must not have evidence of active CMV or other active viral infection requiring antiviral therapy. A culture or PCR of blood for CMV must be negative for enrollment.

• Pregnant or lactating females.Note that a second and third high sensitivity pregnancy test (20mlU ß-HCG /ml urine as administered in the Center for Clinical Imaging Research, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University) are required prior to each imaging session (i.e. at days 10-16 and days 27-33 for patients #3 to 8).

• Uncontrolled infection: Any uncontrolled viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.

• HIV infection.

• Acute medical problems such as ischemic heart or lung disease.

• Patients with any underlying conditions which would contra-indicate therapy with study treatment (or allergies to reagents used in this study).

• Patients who have received atgam, campath [alemtuzumab] or daclizumab within 4 weeks of DLI.

• Patients receiving investigational drugs or treatments within 30 days of enrollment.

• Patients with tetracycline, penicillin, or streptomycin sensitivity.

• Patients with signs of acute GVHD as defined by the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) Severity Index for Acute Graft versus Host Disease (Rowlings, et al., Brit. J. Haematol. 97:855-64 [1997]). In addition patients may be excluded at the discretion of the treating physician.

• In addition for patients # 3 to 8 who will be imaged , exclude:

  • Patients who are claustrophobic.
  • Patients who are unable to tolerate 30-45 minutes of imaging.

Exclusion Criteria for Donor:

-Pregnant female donors

Concomitant Medication and Treatment:

-The principal investigator or a designated co-investigator at the respective institution must approve use of chemotherapeutic, antiviral or immunosuppressive medications.

Medications and Treatments Not Allowed:

-No other forms of chemotherapy will be administered after cell infusion during the treatment protocol.