Immunotherapy of Neuroblastoma Patients Using a Combination of Anti-GD2 and NK Cells

Pilot Study of Anti-GD2 and Expanded, Activated Natural Killer Cell Infusion for Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a neoplasm of the sympathetic nervous system which affects mostly children younger than 5 years of age. It is a heterogeneous disease, with nearly 50% of patients presenting with a high-risk phenotype. After standard treatment, the 2-year event-free survival (EFS) for high risk neuroblastoma (EFS) is only about 50%. Immunotherapy with anti-GD2 antibodies has been shown to improve EFS in Children's Oncology Group and SIOPEN trials.

The anti-GD2 antibody mediates neuroblastoma cell killing primarily through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Natural killer (NK) cells are the main effectors of ADCC. We postulate that infusion of expanded activated NK cells from healthy haploidentical donors along with anti-GD2 antibody will enhance neuroblastoma killing.

Adoptive transfer of haploidentical NK cells has been shown to be safe in clinical trials at NUH. There is experience combining antibody infusion with autologous NK cells in the clinical trial with good safety data.

The proposed trial is a phase I/II study to determine the safety and efficacy of expanded activated haploidentical NK cells in combination with anti-GD2 (ch14.18/CHO). We plan to enrol patients with high risk or relapsed neuroblastoma with evidence of residual disease who are at high risk of recurrence or progression on current treatment.

In the proposed protocol , we plan to infuse NK cells at escalating dose levels to find the optimum dose tolerated by the patients in combination with anti-GD2 (ch14.18/CHO) . There are 3 NK cell dose levels :

Dose level 1 (1 x 10^6/kg) , Dose level 2 (1 x 10^7/kg) , Dose level 3 (1 x 10^8/kg)

If a partial response or stable disease is observed, further infusions of NK cells can be administered. There will be intra- and inter - patient dose escalation.

The donor will be either parent, based on the best NK cell donor as determined by the study team. The donor will be harvested and NK cells expanded prior to infusion into the patient along with anti-GD2 (ch14.18/CHO).

The study aims to study safety and efficacy of a combination of NK cells and anti-GD2 (ch14.18/CHO).

Inclusion Criteria:

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A) Inclusion criteria for activated NK cell Recipient:

1. Age 6 months to 25 years old.

2. Patients with high risk or relapsed neuroblastoma who have measurable residual disease (based on imaging findings with Curie scoring or MIBG or PET imaging criteria) after receiving or has refused to receive standard therapy.

   1. High risk will be defined as stage IV disease with poor response to chemotherapy. Residual disease after surgery or prior to autologous stem cell rescue which is part of Standard of Care. Infants with nMYC amplification will not automatically qualify for the protocol unless they have residual disease after surgery.
   2. Recurrence after completion of standard treatment.

3. Shortening fraction greater than or equal to 25% or Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than or equal to 40%.

4. Glomerular filtration rate greater than or equal to 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.

5. Pulse oximetry greater than or equal to 92% on room air.

6. Direct bilirubin less than or equal to 3.0 mg/dL (50 mmol/L).

7. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is no more than 2 times the upper limit of normal.

8. Aspartate transaminases (AST) is no more than 2 times the upper limit of normal.

9. Karnofsky or Lansky performance score of greater than or equal to 50.

10. Does not have a current pleural or pericardial effusion.

11. Has a suitable adult family member donor available for NK cell donation.

12. Has recovered from all acute NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade II-IV non-hematologic acute toxicities resulting from prior therapy per the judgment of the PI.

13. At least two weeks since receipt of any biological therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.

14. Is not receiving more than the equivalent of prednisone 10 mg daily.

15. Not pregnant (negative serum or urine pregnancy test to be conducted within 7 days prior to enrollment).

16. Not lactating.

B) Inclusion criteria for NK cell Donor:

1. First and second degree relative acceptable.
2. 18 years of age or above.
3. Not lactating.
4. Greater than or equal to 3 of 6 HLA match to recipient.
5. .Meets eligibility and suitability criteria for hematopoietic cells donation as per institutional guidelines.
6. Not pregnant (negative serum or urine pregnancy test to be conducted within 7 days prior to enrollment).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to meet any of the above criteria