Study of Fully Human B7H3 CAR-T in Treating Recurrent Malignant Ovarian Cancer

This is single center, open-label phase I, non-randomized study which will enroll patients with recurrent advanced ovarian cancer to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of fully human B7H3 CAR-T cells (fhB7H3.CAR-Ts) via using a '3+3+3' dose escalation design. In the dose expansion cohort, six patients will be enrolled to further assess their efficacy with the optimal dosage.

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and efficacy of a newly developed fully human scFv-armed B7H3 targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells (fhB7H3.CAR-Ts), which are supposed to attack and eliminate B7H3-positive cancer cells. The patients who have been diagnosed as recurrent or relapsed malignant ovarian cancer, especially ovarian cancer patients with refractory ascites, will be potentially enrolled after assessing the expression of B7H3 antigen in tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry staining or ascitic tumor cells by flow cytometry.

After enrollment, participants' peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be collected and used to manufacture fhB7H3.CAR-Ts. Before infusion, the patients will receive lymphodepletion chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine for three consecutive days. Two days later after lymphodepletion, the fhB7H3.CAR-Ts would be given through an abdominal catheter for intraperitoneal infusion. From the day of infusion, participants' peripheral blood and ascites will be collected twice a week in the first month for monitoring the survival of fhB7H3.CAR-Ts and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy. Additional follow-up and examination will be performed monthly for the first three month and then trimonthly until one year. Thereafter, annual follow-up will be completed for 5 years.

In addition, since the fhB7H3.CAR-Ts containing a RQR8 safety-switch which could be targeted and removed by Rituximab. Participants who experience life-threatening toxicities caused by uncontrollable proliferation of fhB7H3.CAR-Ts will receive infusion of Rituximab (Rituxan or Ruxience or Halpryza) to assess the ability of RQR8 safety-switch to eliminate infused fhB7H3.CAR-Ts.

This is an investigator-initiated clinical study to assess first-line clinical performance of novel fhB7H3.CAR-Ts which may help other advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer patients in the future.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Procurement and T-cell production eligibility: a previously evaluation confirmed autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells can be used for T-cell production
2. Written informed consent and authorization for release of personal health information
3. Subject has adequate performance status as defined by ECOG score of ≤ 2.
4. Expected life expectancy is no less than 12 weeks.
5. Subjects must have histologically or cytologically confirmed ovarian cancer. And cancer tissue or ascitic cancer cells are measured positive for B7H3 expression.
6. Subjects must have recurrent or refractory disease after or during first-line treatment.

   Defined as:

   Radiographic progression or Continuous Elevation of CA125.
7. Subjects must have evaluable disease - defined as:

   Measurable disease with tumor length ≥ 10mm or enlarged lymph nodes ≥ 15mm according to RECIST v1.1 criteria.
8. Adequate organ function - defined as:

   1. Blood routine:

      white blood cell count ≥ 3 × 10\^9 / L; neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 10\^9 / L; hemoglobin ≥ 9g/dL; platelet count ≥ 80 × 10\^9 / L; INR\< 1.5 × ULN; PT, APTT\< 1.5 × ULN
   2. The liver, kidney, lung and cardiopulmonary function:

   Urea and serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN; Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40%; Baseline oxygen saturation ≥ 95%; Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN; ALT and AST ≤ 3 × ULN.
9. Not pregnant with negative serum pregnancy test within 3 days prior to enrollment.
10. Female subjects of childbearing potential must be willing to abstain from heterosexual activity or to use 2 forms of highly effective methods of contraception from the time of informed consent until 8 weeks after study treatment discontinuation.

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Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has primary immunodeficiency syndrome or history of severe allergic reaction.
2. Subject has active infection with HIV, HTLV, HBV, HCV.
3. Subject has severe, uncontrolled intercurrent bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
4. Subject has a history of gastrointestinal perforation, clinical and/or radiographic evidence of bowel obstruction, or intra-abdominal abscess within 3 months prior to starting treatment.
5. Subject has active malignancy under treatment other than ovarian cancer.
6. Subject has Grade ≥ 3 cardiac dysfunction or symptomatic arrhythmia requiring intervention.
7. Subject is current using of systemic corticosteroids at doses ≥10 mg prednisone daily or its equivalent.
8. Subject has not recovered from toxicity of previous anti-tumor treatment (CTCAE 5.0).
9. Subject is pregnant or breastfeeding.
10. Unwilling or unable to provide consent/assent for participation in the study. -