Currently, a majority of lymphomas cannot be cured by standard chemo-radiotherapy. Cluster of differentiation antigen 30 (CD30) is expressed in many lymphoma subtypes, such as Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). CD30 represents a very attractive target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based immune cell therapy. This study will evaluate a novel 4th generation CD30 CAR engineered with a self-withdrawal mechanism (FKBP-iCasp9) for both efficacy and safety evaluation in lymphoma patients.

A large number of lymphoma patients exhaust current treatment options and die from the disease. Innovative therapy is urgently needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have demonstrated unprecedented successes in treating even late stage cluster of differentiation antigen 19 (CD19) positive B cell malignancies. Besides CD19 lymphomas, many lymphomas are CD30 positive and therefore, CD30-CAR T cells may prove to be effective in treating such patients. We have developed several generations of CD30 CARs. Preclinical studies have demonstrated effective killing of CD30 target cells. In this study, two versions of CD30 CARs, both of which are 4th generation CARs with a self-withdrawal mechanism (FKBP-iCasp9), will be evaluated in CD30 lymphoma patients. The primary goal is safety assessment including cytokine storm response and any other adverse effects. In addition, tumor targeting and disease status after treatment will also be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Relapsed or refractory CD30(+) lymphoma patients proved by immuno-histochemistry (IHC) or Flow-cytometry.
• Not eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) or relapsed after ASCT.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2.
• Age≥18.
• Pulse oximetry of > 90% on room air.
• Adequate hepatic function, defined as alanine transaminase (ALT) <3 x upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) <3 x ULN; serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase <2 x ULN.
• Adequate renal function, defined as serum creatinine <2.0mg/dl.
• Adequate heart function with LVEF≥50%
• Hb≥80g/L
• Measurable disease can be identified.
• Life expectancy ≥3 months.
• Sexually active patients must be willing to utilize one of the more effective birth control methods during the study and for 1 year after the study is concluded. The male partner should use a condom.
• Patients must sign an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled active infection.
• Active infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• HIV positive
• Pregnant or lactating.
• Currently enrolled in another clinical trial.
• Concurrent use of systemic steroids.