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Ph2 NK Cell Enriched DCIs w/wo RLR9 Agonist, DUK-CPG-001 From Donors Following Allogeneic SCT

A Randomized Phase II Trial to Evaluate Progression-Free Survival Rates in Patients Receiving NK Cell-Enriched Donor Cell Infusions When Administered Alone or Administered With the TLR9 Agonist, DUK-CPG-001, From a 4-6/8 HLA-Matched Related or 7-8/8 HLA-Matched Donor Following Reduced Intensity or Non-Ablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02452697
Acronym
NK-DCI
Enrollment
36
Registered
2015-05-25
Start date
2016-06-08
Completion date
2024-10-31
Last updated
2024-02-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Lymphoid Malignancies, Myeloid Malignancies

Keywords

Nonmyeloablative, Stem Cell, Transplant

Brief summary

This is a randomized, parallel phase II study to evaluate the rates of progression-free survival and unacceptable toxicity in patients receiving NK cell-enriched donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) when administered alone or administered with the TLR9 agonist, DUK-CPG-001, from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor (Cohort A) or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor (Cohort B) following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Randomization will be stratified for disease types (myeloid versus lymphoid malignancies). Primary endpoints are analyzed separately in Cohort A and B. Cohort A: 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor (NK cell enriched-DLI only arm or NK cell enriched-DLI + DUK-CPG-001 arm) Cohort B: 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor (NK cell enriched-DLI only arm or NK cell enriched-DLI + DUK-CPG-001 arm)

Detailed description

This is a randomized, parallel phase II study to evaluate the rates of progression-free survival and unacceptable toxicity in patients receiving NK cell-enriched donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) when administered alone or administered with the TLR9 agonist, DUK-CPG-001, from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor (Cohort A) or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor (Cohort B) following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Randomization will be stratified for disease types (myeloid versus lymphoid malignancies). Patient prior to starting therapy Within 21 days prior to initiating therapy, patients will have an updated history and physical examination performed, lab tests, stool collection, and pregnancy test if the patient is a female of childbearing potential. Patients will have blood or marrow stored for analysis of immune function and chimerism. Tests documenting the patient's disease state are required at study entry as well (bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, blood studies, and/or radiographic tests such as CTs, MRI, PET scans as determined by treating physician,and as required for standardized response evaluations). Donor apheresis and cell processing Donors will return to the center for a fresh collection of NK cells and they will not need growth factor mobilization. One collection will be used for each NK cell infusion. Cells will be transfused immediately after collection and processing or the next day. Cell processing will be performed in our cryopreservation lab according to SOP for collection, labeling and handling. The cells will be NK selected using a CD56 antibody (CliniMACS CD56 Reagent), CliniMACSplus instrument and CliniMACS tubing set provided by Miltenyi Biotec using the company protocol (Miltenyi Biotec Inc, Auburn, California). Pre and post processing cell count, viability, Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Assay (HPCA) and flow analysis per SOP will be done. Patient Evaluation Assessment of disease will use standardized criteria and shall include a careful examination of the studies needed to detect the disease (PET, radiographs, immuno phenotype, marrow, molecular studies etc). Restaging may be altered at the discretion of the transplant physician following the patient (who are all subinvestigators in this study) if the patient is felt to be progressing before these time points but the recommended restaging is q3 months for 1 year after the last NK-enriched DLI, q6 months for the next 2 years, then as indicated clinically. Immune reconstitution studies prior to and 1 and 7 days after each NK cell-enriched DLI, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the last NK-enriched DLI. Determination of chimerism (by short tandem repeat analysis in use in our DUKE HLA laboratory with a 2% sensitivity) just prior to each NK cell-enriched DLI, and 3, 6, 12 months after the last NK-enriched DLI. Toxicity will be formally evaluated post infusion and a week later (more as determined by treatment team) and at a minimum of every other week through 6 weeks post infusion, then q3 months starting at 3 months post-second DLI for the first year. Assessments include history (specific to GI toxicity as well as overall new problems), physical exam, CBC, liver function tests (AST, ALT, bilirubin at a minimum), and Chemistry CS to include creatinine and BUN for toxicity assessment following the NCI common toxicity criteria (version 4) and standard GVHD criteria (appendix I). Further follow up will be required as needed if the patient has a toxicity due the transplant or infusion procedures. Patients with a grade 3 or greater toxicity due to the study will be seen every other week at a minimum until the toxicity is \< grade 3, and then will be seen as clinically appropriate. Stool Collection and Microbiome Analysis: We will collect stool samples from patients at the following time points throughout the study: pre-DLI, day +7, pre-second DLI, day +7, then every 3 months post DLI for one year. Stool samples from patients may be stored at 4°C for up to 24 h before freezing at -80°C for batch analysis. Patient NK cell infusion and CpG administration plan The target cell dose for NK cell-enriched DLI will be as many cells as can be collected with less than 0.5 x 106 CD3+ CD56- cells/kg patient weight in the 4-6/8 HLA-matched related setting and 1 x 106 CD3+ CD56- cells/kg patient weight in the 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated setting. The first NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to six months post transplant. The second NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to three months post the first infusion, in patients who have \< grade II aGVHD at the time of infusion and have not had unacceptable toxicities that are at least possibly related to the previous DLI and resolved to grade 1 or less. The second DLI will NOT be administered in patient with ≥grade III aGVHD at the time of infusion or unacceptable toxicities at least possibly related to the first infusion. If patients have GVHD and were on immunosuppressive therapy at study entry, patients will continue on their stable dose of immunosuppressive agents started for therapy of acute GVHD before the NK cell-enriched DLI, and will not taper until at least 6 weeks following the each NK cell-enriched DLI (unless disease progression or patient toxicity from the agents requires earlier taper). The donor NK cells will be infused over 30 minutes. Diphenhydramine 25 mg iv or po, and Acetaminophen 650 mg po will be used prior to each reinfusion, unless there is a history of allergy or contraindication in the patient, in which case hydrocortisone 50mg IV will be used. These cells are infused into the patient via a peripheral intravenous line or central line. If signs of GVHD occur after NK cell-enriched DLI, immunosuppressive agents (prednisone, cyclosporine, tacrolimus and/ or mycophenolate preferred first choices) may be started.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALNK Cell enriched-DLI only

The first NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to six months post transplant. The second NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to three months post the first infusion, in patients who have ≤ grade II aGVHD at the time of infusion and have not had unacceptable toxicities from the first infusion. Patients will continue on their stable dose of immunosuppressive agents started for therapy of acute GVHD before the NK cell-enriched DLI, and will not taper until at least 6 weeks following the each NK cell-enriched DLI (unless disease progression or patient toxicity from the agents requires earlier taper). The donor NK cells will be infused over 30 minutes intravenously. If signs of GVHD occur after NK cell-enriched DLI, immunosuppressive agents may be started.

BIOLOGICALNK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001

DUK-CPG-001 was synthesized by Agilent Technologies (Boulder, CO) in 2013. Bulk DUK-CPG-001 has been resuspended in normal saline with a final concentration of 10 mg/mL, aliquoted into 0.75 mL (7.5 mg) per tube and stored at -20oC in the Investigational Chemotherapy Service pharmacy at Duke. DUK-CPG-001 will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI. The drug will be used within 4 hours of thawing. On the day of NK cell-enriched DLI, for those patients who are randomized to receive DUK-CPG-001, 0.5 mL (5 mg) aliquots of DUK-CPG-001 will be dispensed to nurse. It will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI.

Sponsors

Agilent Technologies, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Cristina Gasparetto
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with hematologic diseases who have undergone T-cell depleted reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic transplantation, using a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor. This may include patients with a mixed chimeric state or disease persistence or at high risk of relapse. 2. Performance status must be ECOG PS 0, 1, or 2. 3. Donor cellular engraftment of at least 2.5% from the non-myeloablative procedure. 4. \< Grade 2 acute GVHD at time of the first NK cell-enriched DLI. Patients with treated acute GVHD must be on a stable dose of therapy (no increase in immunosuppressive therapy for the 2 weeks before planned NK cell-enriched DLIs). The dosage/level of immunosuppressive therapy at the time of NK-DLIs should be no greater than 20 mg of prednisone daily or mycophenolate 500 mg bid daily or cyclosporine with a target level of 200 ng/mL or tacrolimus with a target level of 10 ng/mL. 5. Estimated survival of at least 8 weeks. 6. Age of \>= 18 years. 7. Females of childbearing potential should have a negative serum beta-HCG test within 48 hours of beginning DLI and/or DUK-CPG-01 unless contraception is used after initial testing. A female of childbearing potential (FCBP) is a sexually mature female who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months). 8. Males must agree to use a medically acceptable form of birth control in order to be in this study and for 3 months after infusion

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnant or lactating women. 2. Patients with other major medical or psychiatric illnesses, which the treating physician feels, could seriously compromise tolerance to this protocol. 3. Patients likely to have a significantly better durable response to allogeneic transplant alone (better than 60% progression free longer than 2 years) includes: those with myeloproliferative diseases or hemoglobinopathies with over 50% T cell subset engraftment (assessed around 100 days post transplant); It is not anticipated that any such patients would be transplanted within our program, however but those in first remission AML patients with good risk standard genetics or normal genetics with either NPM1 or CEBPA mutations, first chronic phase CML without kinase gene mutations, follicular lymphoma patients in first remission who only required 1 regimen to attain remission all would be excluded from this protocol. HLA 4-6/8 matched related donor inclusion/

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-Free Survival (PFS) RateUp to 1 yearTo evaluate the one-year progression-free survival rate in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation and to evaluate the one-year progression-free survival rate in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered with a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) ligand, DUK-CPG-001, from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Number of Participants With Unacceptable ToxicityUp to 100 daysUnacceptable toxicity is defined as any of the following related to the DLI procedure: 1. Grade \> III aGVHD of the gut or liver or Grade IV aGVHD of the skin lasting \> 7 days; 2. Grade 4 toxicity from the procedure in the cardiac, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, pulmonary, renal/genitourinary, or neurologic categories that lasts \> 5 days; 3. Treatment-related death caused by the toxicities related to DLI procedure.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Immunoscope AssayUp to 100 daysPre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.
Recovery of Immune Cell Populations Pre and Post-InfusionUp to 100 daysTo evaluate the recovery of immune cell populations pre and post infusion in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.
Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Functional NK Lysis AssayUp to 100 daysPre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.
Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Flow-cytometric Cytokine AssayUp to 100 daysPre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.
Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Elispot AssayUp to 100 daysPre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Cohort A - NK Cell Enriched-DLI Only
Patients with a 7-8/8 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related or unrelated donor receiving natural killer (NK) cell enriched donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) only NK Cell enriched-DLI only: The first NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to six months post transplant. The second NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to three months post the first infusion, in patients who have ≤ grade II aGVHD at the time of infusion and have not had unacceptable toxicities from the first infusion. Patients will continue on their stable dose of immunosuppressive agents started for therapy of acute GVHD before the NK cell-enriched DLI, and will not taper until at least 6 weeks following the each NK cell-enriched DLI (unless disease progression or patient toxicity from the agents requires earlier taper). The donor NK cells will be infused over 30 minutes intravenously. If signs of GVHD occur after NK cell-enriched DLI, immunosuppressive agents may be started.
14
Cohort A - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001
Patients with a 7-8/8 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related or unrelated donor receiving natural killer (NK) cell enriched donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and investigational DUK-CPG-001 NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001: DUK-CPG-001 was synthesized by Agilent Technologies (Boulder, CO) in 2013. Bulk DUK-CPG-001 has been resuspended in normal saline with a final concentration of 10 mg/mL, aliquoted into 0.75 mL (7.5 mg) per tube and stored at -20oC in the Investigational Chemotherapy Service pharmacy at Duke. DUK-CPG-001 will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI. The drug will be used within 4 hours of thawing. On the day of NK cell-enriched DLI, for those patients who are randomized to receive DUK-CPG-001, 0.5 mL (5 mg) aliquots of DUK-CPG-001 will be dispensed to nurse. It will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI.
11
Cohort B - NK Cell Enriched-DLI Only
Patients with a 4-6/8 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor receiving natural killer (NK) cell enriched donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) only NK Cell enriched-DLI only: The first NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to six months post transplant. The second NK cell-enriched DLI will be administered one to three months post the first infusion, in patients who have ≤ grade II aGVHD at the time of infusion and have not had unacceptable toxicities from the first infusion. Patients will continue on their stable dose of immunosuppressive agents started for therapy of acute GVHD before the NK cell-enriched DLI, and will not taper until at least 6 weeks following the each NK cell-enriched DLI (unless disease progression or patient toxicity from the agents requires earlier taper). The donor NK cells will be infused over 30 minutes intravenously. If signs of GVHD occur after NK cell-enriched DLI, immunosuppressive agents may be started.
4
Cohort B - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001
Patients with a 4-6/8 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor receiving natural killer (NK) cell enriched donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and investigational DUK-CPG-001 NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001: DUK-CPG-001 was synthesized by Agilent Technologies (Boulder, CO) in 2013. Bulk DUK-CPG-001 has been resuspended in normal saline with a final concentration of 10 mg/mL, aliquoted into 0.75 mL (7.5 mg) per tube and stored at -20oC in the Investigational Chemotherapy Service pharmacy at Duke. DUK-CPG-001 will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI. The drug will be used within 4 hours of thawing. On the day of NK cell-enriched DLI, for those patients who are randomized to receive DUK-CPG-001, 0.5 mL (5 mg) aliquots of DUK-CPG-001 will be dispensed to nurse. It will be thawed at room temperature right before use and injected intravenously right after NK cell-enriched DLI.
7
Total36

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003
Overall StudyPhysician Decision4432
Overall Studystill in follow-up2213
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject1000

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicCohort A - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyCohort A - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Cohort B - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyCohort B - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
13 Participants9 Participants4 Participants5 Participants31 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
11 Participants10 Participants2 Participants7 Participants30 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants1 Participants2 Participants0 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
4 Participants3 Participants1 Participants1 Participants9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants8 Participants2 Participants6 Participants26 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
14 participants11 participants4 participants7 participants36 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants1 Participants2 Participants2 Participants8 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants10 Participants2 Participants5 Participants28 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 140 / 110 / 40 / 7
other
Total, other adverse events
14 / 1411 / 114 / 47 / 7
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 140 / 110 / 40 / 7

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With Unacceptable Toxicity

Unacceptable toxicity is defined as any of the following related to the DLI procedure: 1. Grade \> III aGVHD of the gut or liver or Grade IV aGVHD of the skin lasting \> 7 days; 2. Grade 4 toxicity from the procedure in the cardiac, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, pulmonary, renal/genitourinary, or neurologic categories that lasts \> 5 days; 3. Treatment-related death caused by the toxicities related to DLI procedure.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Population: Data not collected on 13 participants.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort A - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyNumber of Participants With Unacceptable Toxicity0 Participants
Cohort A - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Number of Participants With Unacceptable Toxicity0 Participants
Cohort B - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyNumber of Participants With Unacceptable Toxicity0 Participants
Cohort B - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Number of Participants With Unacceptable Toxicity0 Participants
Primary

Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate

To evaluate the one-year progression-free survival rate in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation and to evaluate the one-year progression-free survival rate in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered with a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) ligand, DUK-CPG-001, from a 7-8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated donor or 4-6/8 HLA-matched related donor following reduced intensity or non-ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Time frame: Up to 1 year

Population: Data not collected on 13 participants.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Cohort A - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyProgression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate0.75 proportion of participants
Cohort A - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate1.00 proportion of participants
Cohort B - NK Cell Enriched-DLI OnlyProgression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate0.50 proportion of participants
Cohort B - NK-DLI + DUK-CPG-001Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate0.80 proportion of participants
p-value: 0.4Log Rank
Secondary

Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Elispot Assay

Pre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Population: Analysis of samples was not and never will be conducted, data was not collected for this Outcome Measure.

Secondary

Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Flow-cytometric Cytokine Assay

Pre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Population: Analysis of samples was not and never will be conducted, data was not collected for this Outcome Measure.

Secondary

Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Functional NK Lysis Assay

Pre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Population: Analysis of samples was not and never will be conducted, data was not collected for this Outcome Measure.

Secondary

Immune Function Pre and Post-Infusion With Antigen Specific Recovery, as Measured by Immunoscope Assay

Pre and post infusion immune function will be reported in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Population: Analysis of samples was not and never will be conducted, data was not collected for this Outcome Measure.

Secondary

Recovery of Immune Cell Populations Pre and Post-Infusion

To evaluate the recovery of immune cell populations pre and post infusion in patients receiving NK cell-enriched DLI administered alone or administered with TLR9 ligand, DUK-CPG-001.

Time frame: Up to 100 days

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026