Autologous Muscle Derived Cells for Treatment of Tongue Dysphagia

A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Investigation of Autologous Muscle Derived Cells (AMDC) for the Treatment of Tongue Dysphagia Resulting From the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

The primary objective of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial is to evaluate the safety of AMDC-GIR during the 24 months following 2 consecutive treatments of tongue dysphagia in male and female patients who have undergone surgery and/or chemo- and/or radiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx.

The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Autologous Muscle Derived Cells for Gastro-Intestinal Repair (AMDC-GIR) for the treatment of tongue dysphagia (TD) in male and female patients who have undergone surgery and/or chemo- and/or radiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx.

Surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy induce significant TD and result in long-term swallowing dysfunction. The incidence of TD after treatment for cancer of the pharynx exceeds 80%. Therefore, augmenting tongue muscle function may be beneficial to patients. Autologous muscle cell therapy, which involves isolation of cells from skeletal muscle biopsies, ex vivo expansion, and subsequent injection into the tongue, may serve as a durable therapy. In animal studies, muscle derived cells have successfully integrated within tissue to improve tongue strength and function. Intramuscular injection of AMDC-GIR has been shown to produce localized tissue changes at the injection site without a systemic effect. Initial results of a Phase 1 open label trial suggest that 150 x 10⁶ AMDC-GIR for the treatment of TD is safe and may be efficacious. A Phase I/II placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial is warranted.

Patients will receive two treatments of intramuscular injection of 1 AMDC-GIR dose of 150 x 10⁶ cells or identical placebo. For entrance into the study, patients must meet the study inclusion criterion and must not meet any of the exclusion criteria. Patients will have quantitative and qualitative measures of swallowing impairment assessed before treatment and at prescheduled intervals after treatment.

The study will treat 66 patients at 2 clinical sites: UC Davis Center for Voice and Swallowing and UCSF Voice and Swallowing Center. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 2 AMDC-GIR doses of 150 x 10⁶ cells or 2 doses of identical placebo composed of the same cryopreservation medium used for AMDC-GIR. Enrollment is expected to be completed within 2 years of initiating the study. Patients will be followed for 24 months post-treatment.

Male and female patients at least 18 years of age who have undergone surgery and/or chemo- and/or radiotherapy for primary treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer and who present with symptoms and findings of TD will be eligible for participation. Eligible patients will have muscle tissue harvested using an established needle biopsy technique during an outpatient procedure.

The harvested muscle will be placed in a hypothermic medium and transported to the manufacturer for cell processing. The muscle derived cells (MDC) will be isolated and expanded in culture over several weeks to a final AMDC-GIR dose of 150 x 10⁶ cells. Each patient will receive 2 doses of cells or placebo spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

After reaching the desired concentration, the isolated and expanded AMDC-GIR or identical placebo will be frozen and shipped back to the investigating physician. The investigative team will thaw the AMDC-GIR and dilute the sample with an equal volume of physiological saline. Under direct vision, the resulting suspension will be injected into the patient's tongue in a brief outpatient procedure for the patients randomized to the treatment arm. Patients randomized to receive placebo will undergo an identical procedure utilizing a thawed solution of frozen media without cells. Both patient and clinician will be blind to the treatment and placebo status.

Patients will be assessed for improvement in TD at 6 months, 12 months and 18 months and 24 months following treatment. Adverse events will be assessed at those visits, as well as during virtual visits at 1-2 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, 15 months, 21 months and 24 months. Adverse events will also be assessed at 6 months post-injection in patients who were in the placebo group and elected to receive AMDC_GIR injections after the unblinding. Patient reported outcome measures will be assessed at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or Female, at least 18 years old, with primary symptoms of TD following surgery and/or chemo- and/or radiotherapy for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma for oropharyngeal cancer. Treatment must be completed at least 24 months prior to enrollment, with TD and disease-free status confirmed by medical history, clinical symptoms, a focused head and neck examination, swallowing fluoroscopy, and high-resolution pharyngeal manometry.
2. TD severity should be moderate as defined by a Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS, provided in Appendix C). Individuals must have a FOIS of 3 or better and EAT-10 score of greater than 5.
3. Patient has failed to achieve resolution of symptoms following contemporary therapies.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Simultaneously participating in another investigational drug or device study or has completed the follow-up phase for the primary endpoint of any previous study less than 30 days prior to the first evaluation in this study.
2. Previously treated with an investigational device, drug, or procedure for TD within 6 months prior to signing consent.
3. TD of neurogenic etiology or uncorrected congenital abnormality leading to TD.
4. Neuromuscular disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis) that could lead to TD.
5. Severe fibrosis at injection site.
6. Uncontrolled diabetes.
7. Compromised immune system due to disease state, chronic corticosteroid use, or other immunosuppressive therapy.
8. Medical condition or disorder that may limit life expectancy or that may cause CIP deviations (e.g., unable to perform self-evaluations or accurately report medical history, symptoms, or data).
9. History of bleeding diathesis or uncorrectable coagulopathy.
10. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to bovine proteins or allergens, gentamicin sulfate, or ampicillin that medically warrants exclusion as determined by the physician.
11. Any non-skin cancer that has necessitated treatment within the past 24 months.

Patient's Current Status-based Criteria:

1. Evidence or known high risk of recurrent or persistent cancer as determined by the physician during screening.

2. Tests positive for Hepatitis B (required tests: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen [HBsAg] and Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibody [Anti-HBc]), Hepatitis C (required test: Hepatitis C Antibody [Anti-HCV]), HIV (required tests: HIV Type 1 and 2 Antibodies [Anti-HIV-1, 2]), and/or Syphilis.

   a. Tests performed by certified/authorized testing laboratory using licensed/approved tests and performed on blood samples collected within 30 days prior to muscle tissue procurement.

3. Cannot, or is not willing to maintain the current treatment regimen for existing contemporary therapy (e.g., swallowing therapy).

4. Requires prophylactic antibiotics for chronic infection or has required 2 or more courses of antibiotics for infections in the 2 months prior to signing consent.

5. Any condition, including current infection or immunodeficiency, which could lead to significant postoperative complications.

6. Refuses or cannot provide written informed consent.

7. Not available for, or willing to comply with the baseline and follow-up evaluations as required by the CIP.

8. Pregnant, lactating, or plans to become pregnant during the course of the study.