A Study of GPC3-targeted T Cells by Intratumor Injection for Advanced HCC (GPC3-CART)

An Open-label, Uncontrolled, Single-arm Pilot Study to Evaluate Intratumor Injection Mediated GPC3-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In this study, CART cells are targeted to GPC3 by intratumor injected that we hope by this means could improve the local CAR-T cell numbers, meanwhile reduce the potential side effects.

Patients treated with leukapheresis to obtain peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and then PBMC are purified. T cells are activated and then re-engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specific for GPC3. Cells are expanded in culture and returned to the participant by intratumor injection at the dose of(1-10)×106 CAR positive T cells. The cells perfusion process would only last for (1-2) min. GPC-CART cells are injected into each tumor focus only once.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Advanced HCC patients with age between 18 and 69 years old;

• Persistent cancer after at least one prior standard of chemotherapy or surgery, and without high level evidence of second-line treatment;

• The intended intratumoral injection sites of tumor can be showed clear by CT or ultrasound scan, and safe access to without important neuromuscular pass;

• The ECOG score less than 1 points, and the expected survival more than 4 months;

• Recovery from previous treatment: all side effects (except hair loss) were reduced to level 1 or below, according to NCI-CTC AE version 4;

• Pregnancy test (urine beta -HCG) negative (for women of childbearing age);

• Meet one of the following conditions:

  1. GPC3 was expressed in more than 15% of tumor cells (immunohistochemical method)
  2. GPC3 expression in more than 30% of tumor cells (flow cytometry);

• Satisfactory organ and bone marrow function as defined by the following: (1) creatinine <1.5mg/dl; (2) albumin >2; (3) cardiac ejection fraction of >55%; (4) hemoglobin>9g/dl, bilirubin 2.0×the institution normal upper limit;

• Adequate venous access for apheresis;

• Voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating women, urine pregnancy test was positive before transplantation of CAR-T cells 48 hours;
• Concurrent use of systemic steroids. Recent or current use of inhaled steroids is not exclusionary;
• Patients in the situation of: (1) 30 days before apheresis is still in the period of other antitumor drug observation; (2) patient dont recuperate from earlier acute adverse influence brought by any treatments accepted before;
• Four weeks before recruit accepted radiation therapy; Previously treatment with any gene therapy products;
• Feasibility assessment during screening demonstrates<30% transduction of target lymphocytes, or insufficient expansion (<5-fold) in response to CD3/CD28 costimulation;
• Any serious, uncontrolled diseases (including, but not limit to, unstable angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, grade III or IV cardiac disease, serious arrhythmia, liver and kidney disorders or metabolic diseases, CNS diseases);
• Patient with severe acute hypersensitive reaction;
• Forced position, can not be adjusted according to requirements;
• Severe heart, lung, liver, kidney function, blood coagulation dysfunction;
• Taking part in other clinical trials;
• Study leader considers not suitable for this tiral.