PD-1 Knockout Engineered T Cells for Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Safety and Activity of Programmed Cell Death-1 Knockout Engineered T Cells in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Open-label, Single-arm Phase 1 Study

This study will evaluate the safety of PD-1 knockout engineered T cells in treating advanced esophageal cancer. Blood or tissue samples will also be collected for research purposes.

This is a prospective clinical study of ex-vivo selected, engineered, and expanded PD-1 knockout T cells from autologous origin. 16 advanced esophageal cancer patients are planned to receive two cycles of PD-1 knockout engineered T cells infusion. Immunological markers are analyzed as well.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic esophageal cancer
• Measurable disease
• Progressed after standard treatments
• ECOG performance status of 0-2
• Expected life span: >= 3 months
• Toxicities from prior treatment has resolved or ≤ grade 1
• Major organs function normally
• Women at pregnant ages should be under contraception
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other malignancy within 5 years prior to entry into the study, expect for treated non-melanoma skin cancer and cervical carcinoma in situ
• Poor vasculature
• Disease to the central nervous system
• Blood-borne infectious disease, e.g. hepatitis B
• History of mandatory custody because of psychosis or other psychological disease inappropriate for treatment deemed by treating physician
• With other immune diseases, or chronic use of immunosuppressants or steroids
• Pregnancy (women of childbearing potential:Refusal or inability to use effective means of contraception)
• Breastfeeding
• Decision of unsuitableness by principal investigator or physician-in-charge