EGFR806-specific CAR T Cell Locoregional Immunotherapy for EGFR-positive Recurrent or Refractory Pediatric CNS Tumors

This is a Phase 1 study of central nervous system (CNS) locoregional adoptive therapy with autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that are lentivirally transduced to express an EGFR806 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and EGFRt. CAR T cells are delivered via an indwelling catheter into the tumor cavity or the ventricular system in children and young adults with recurrent or refractory EGFR-positive CNS tumors. The primary objectives of this protocol are to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of CNS-delivered fractionated CAR T cell infusions employing intra-patient dose escalation. Subjects with supratentorial tumors will receive sequential EGFR806-specific CAR T cells delivered into the tumor resection cavity, subjects with infratentorial tumors will receive sequential CAR T cells delivered into the fourth ventricle, and subjects with leptomeningeal disease will receive sequential CAR T cells delivered into the lateral ventricle. The secondary objectives are to assess CAR T cell distribution within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the extent to which CAR T cells egress into the peripheral circulation, and EGFR expression at recurrence of initially EGFR-positive tumors. Additionally, tumor response will be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF cytology. The exploratory objectives are to analyze CSF specimens for biomarkers of anti-tumor CAR T cell presence and functional activity.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 15 and ≤ 26 years
2. Histologically diagnosed EGFR positive Central Nervous System (CNS) tumor
3. Evidence of refractory or recurrent CNS disease for which there is no standard therapy
4. Able to tolerate apheresis or apheresis product available for use in manufacturing
5. CNS reservoir catheter, such as an Ommaya or Rickham catheter
6. Life expectancy ≥ 8 weeks
7. Lansky or Karnofsky score ≥ 60
8. If patient does not have previously obtained apheresis product, patient must have recovered from acute toxic effects of all prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy and discontinue the following prior to enrollment:

   1. ≥ 7 days post last chemotherapy/biologic therapy administration
   2. 3 half lives or 30 days, whichever is shorter post last dose of anti-tumor antibody therapy
   3. Must be at least 30 days from most recent cellular infusion
   4. All systemically administered corticosteroid treatment therapy must be stable or decreasing within 1 week prior to enrollment with maximum dexamethasone dose of 2.5 mg/m2/day. Corticosteroid physiologic replacement therapy is allowed.
9. Adequate organ function
10. Adequate laboratory values
11. Subjects of childbearing/fathering potential must agree to use highly effective contraception

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of classic diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)
2. Presence of ≥ Grade 3 cardiac dysfunction or symptomatic arrhythmia requiring intervention
3. Presence of primary immunodeficiency/bone marrow failure syndrome
4. Presence of clinical and/or radiographic evidence of impending herniation
5. Presence of active malignancy other than the primary CNS tumor under study
6. Presence of active severe infection
7. Receiving any anti-cancer agents or chemotherapy
8. Pregnant or breastfeeding
9. Subject and/or authorized legal representative unwilling to provide consent/assent for participation in the 15 year follow up period
10. Presence of any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prohibit the patient from undergoing treatment under this protocol