Intracerebral EGFR-vIII CAR-T Cells for Recurrent GBM

The goal of this protocol is to transfer autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transduced with genes encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognizes epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) tumor-specific antigen into patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The CAR used is targeted to a tumor-specific mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFRvIII, which is expressed on a subset of patients. Normal PBMCs derived from patients with GBM are genetically engineered with a viral vector encoding the CAR and infused directly into the patient's tumor with the aim of mediating regression of their tumors. Despite our CAR being targeted to a tumor specific antigen, given the prior toxicity using CARs that were not targeted to tumor-specific antigens, the investigators elected to begin with very low doses of cells. Enrollment on this study was suspended in April 2020 while an amendment to reduce the anticipated number of participants was under review and approved. The decision to terminate the study was made in January, 2021 to shift toward the next iteration of a related CAR T cell trial.