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A Phase 2 Trial of Anakinra for the Prevention of CAR-T Cell Mediated Neurotoxicity

A Phase 2 Trial of Anakinra for the Prevention of CAR-T Cell Mediated Neurotoxicity

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04150913
Enrollment
15
Registered
2019-11-05
Start date
2020-10-01
Completion date
2024-10-31
Last updated
2025-11-25

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

Conditions

Cytokine Release Syndrome, Neurotoxicity, Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Relapsed Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

Keywords

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Relapsed Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, Neurotoxicity, Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Cytokine Release Syndrome

Brief summary

This research study is studying the combination of anakinra and axicabtagene ciloleucel to reduce the occurrence of the side effects Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicities with relapsed or refractory Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). * Relapsed NHL is the condition of returned Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. * Refractory NHL is the condition of previous treatment resistant Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. * Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) is a group of side effect symptoms that can include nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, kidney damage, and rash. * Neurologic toxicity is nervous system disorder characterized by confusion This research study involves two drugs: * Anakinra * Axicabtagene Ciloleucel.

Detailed description

This Phase 2, single center, open-label research study is studying the combination of Anakinra and Axicabtagene Ciloleucel to reduce the occurrence of the side effects Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicities in people with relapsed or refractory Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and study treatment including evaluations and follow up visits. * This research study involves two drugs: * Anakinra * Axicabtagene Ciloleucel * A total of 20 participants are anticipated to be enrolled to this trial * The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved anakinra for use in treatment of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Interventions

DRUGAnakinra

Subcutaneous, dosage per protocol. Day 0 through Day 6.

DRUGAxicabtagene Ciloleucel

Once, intravenous infusion, dosage per protocol

Sponsors

Kite, A Gilead Company
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Marcela V. Maus, M.D.,Ph.D.
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. * At least 1 measurable lesion according to the revised IWG Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma 1. Lesions that have been previously irradiated will be considered measurable only if progression has been documented following completion of radiation therapy * At least 2 weeks or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, must have elapsed since any prior systemic therapy at the time the subject is planned for leukapheresis, except for systemic inhibitory/stimulatory immune checkpoint therapy however steroids only require a 7-day washout. At least 3 half-lives must have elapsed from any prior systemic inhibitory/stimulatory immune checkpoint molecule therapy at the time the subject is planned for leukapheresis (e.g. ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, OX40 agonists, 4-1BB agonists, etc). * Toxicities due to prior therapy must be stable and recovered to ≤ Grade 1 (except for clinically non-significant toxicities such as alopecia) * Age 18 or older * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 * ANC ≥1000/uL * Platelet count ≥75,000/uL * Absolute lymphocyte count ≥100/uL * Adequate renal, hepatic, pulmonary and cardiac function defined as: * Creatinine clearance (as estimated by Cockcroft Gault) ≥ 60 mL/min * Serum ALT/AST ≤2.5 ULN * Total bilirubin ≤1.5 mg/dl, except in subjects with Gilbert's syndrome. * Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 50%, no clinically significant pericardial effusion, and no clinically significant ECG findings * No clinically significant pleural effusion * Baseline oxygen saturation \>92% on room air * Females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (females who have undergone surgical sterilization or who have been postmenopausal for at least 2 years are not considered to be of childbearing potential) Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

* History of malignancy other than nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ (e.g. cervix, bladder, breast) or follicular lymphoma unless disease free for at least 3 years * History of Richter's transformation of CLL * Autologous stem cell transplant within 6 weeks of planned axicabtagene ciloleucel infusion * History of allogeneic stem cell transplantation * Prior CD19 targeted therapy with the exception of subjects who received axicabtagene ciloleucel in this study and are eligible for re-treatment * Prior chimeric antigen receptor therapy or other genetically modified T cell therapy * History of severe, immediate hypersensitivity reaction attributed to aminoglycosides * Presence or suspicion of fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infection that is uncontrolled or requiring IV antimicrobials for management. * History of HIV infection or acute or chronic active hepatitis B or C infection. Subjects with history of hepatitis infection must have cleared their infection as determined by standard serological and genetic testing per current Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines. * Presence of any indwelling line or drain (e.g., percutaneous nephrostomy tube, indwelling Foley catheter, biliary drain, or pleural/peritoneal/pericardial catheter). Dedicated central venous access catheters such as a Port-a-Cath or Hickman catheter are permitted * Subjects with detectable cerebrospinal fluid malignant cells, or brain metastases, or with a history of CNS lymphoma or primary CNS lymphoma, cerebrospinal fluid malignant cells or brain metastases * History or presence of CNS disorder such as seizure disorder, cerebrovascular ischemia/hemorrhage, dementia, cerebellar disease, or any autoimmune disease with CNS involvement * Subjects with cardiac atrial or cardiac ventricular lymphoma involvement * History of myocardial infarction, cardiac angioplasty or stenting, unstable angina, or other clinically significant cardiac disease within 12 months of enrollment * Expected or possible requirement for urgent therapy within 6 weeks due to ongoing or impending oncologic emergency (eg, tumor mass effect, tumor lysis syndrome) * Primary immunodeficiency * History of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 6 months of enrollment * Any medical condition likely to interfere with assessment of safety or efficacy of study treatment * History of severe immediate hypersensitivity reaction to any of the agents used in this study * Live vaccine ≤ 6 weeks prior to planned start of conditioning regimen * Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of the potentially dangerous effects of the preparative chemotherapy on the fetus or infant. Females who have undergone surgical sterilization or who have been postmenopausal for at least 2 years are not considered to be of childbearing potential * Subjects of both genders who are not willing to practice birth control from the time of consent through 6 months after the completion of axicabtagene ciloleucel * In the investigators judgment, the subject is unlikely to complete all protocol-required study visits or procedures, including follow-up visits, or comply with the study requirements for participation * History of autoimmune disease (e.g. Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus) resulting in end organ injury or requiring systemic immunosuppression/systemic disease modifying agents within the last 2 years

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 Criteria30 DaysThe incidence of grade 2+ neurotoxicity is reported below and was assessed using CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v4.04 criteria. Neurotoxicity is a serious side effect of cancer treatments that can impact the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurotoxicity manifestations vary and can include confusion, obtundation, seizures, hallucinations, aphasia, ataxia, and more rarely, profound cerebral edema.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Duration of Responsefirst objective response to disease progression death regardless of cause up 24 MonthsAmong participants who experience an objective response, duration of response (DOR) is defined as the date of their first objective response to disease progression per the revised IWG Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma, or death regardless of cause. Participants not meeting the criteria for progressive disease (PD) or death by the analysis data cutoff date will be censored at their last evaluable disease assessment date and their response will be noted as ongoing. \* PD = ≥ 50% increase from nadir in the sum of the products of at least two lymph nodes; ≥ 50% increase in product of the diameters of single node; new lesion \>1.5 cm; ≥ 50% size increase of splenic/hepatic nodules; ≥ 50% increase in longest diameter of any single previously identified node more than 1 cm in its short axis; PET scan positive
Progression-free Survivalinfusion date to the date of disease progression or death from any cause up 24 MonthsKaplan-Meier estimates and 2-sided 95% confidence intervals will be generated for progression-free survival time
Objective Response Rate24 MonthsObjective response rate (ORR) is defined as the incidence of either a complete response (CR) or a partial response (PR) by the revised IWG Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma. All participants who don't meet the ORR criteria by the analysis data cutoff date will be considered non-responders. * CR = complete disappearance of all detectable clinical evidence of disease and disease related symptoms if present before therapy; PET scan negative; lymph nodes/nodal masses regressed to normal size; normal size spleen/liver on CT scan; bone marrow aspirate and biopsy shows no evidence of disease by morphology or negative by IHC. * PR = ≥ 50% decrease in sum of the product of diameters (SPD) of up to 6 of the largest dominant nodes or nodal masses; no size increase of nodes/liver/spleen; no new sites of disease; post-treatment PET scan positive in ≥ 1 previously involved site.
Number of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or Higher24 MonthsSubject incidence rates of adverse events including all, serious, fatal, CTCAE version 4.03 Grade 3 or higher and treatment related AEs reported throughout the conduct of the study will be tabulated by preferred term and system organ class
Rate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSWithin 30 days after infusionThe incidence of max grade 2+ CRS will be assessed
Overall Survivaltime from axicabtagene ciloleucel infusion to the date of death or analysis data cutoff date will be censored at last contact date up to 24 months.Kaplan-Meier estimates and 2-sided 95% confidence intervals will be generated for OS.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Anakinra and Axicabtagene Ciloleucel
Patients who meet eligibility criteria for the study will subsequently be enrolled for treatment. * Screening * Enrollment/Leukapheresis period * Bridging therapy (if applicable) * Lymphodepleting chemotherapy period * Investigational Product (IP) treatment period * Anakinra * Axicabtagene Ciloleucel * Post treatment assessment period * Long term follow-up period Anakinra: Subcutaneous, dosage per protocol. Day 0 through Day 13. Axicabtagene Ciloleucel: Once, intravenous infusion, dosage per protocol
15
Total15

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicAnakinra and Axicabtagene Ciloleucel
Age, Continuous64 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.33
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Grade 0
5 Participants
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Grade 1
10 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
13 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Histology
DLBCL NOS
9 Participants
Histology
HGBCL
1 Participants
Histology
tFL
5 Participants
International Prognostic Index3 Score (0-5)
Number of prior regimens
Primary refractory disease
3 Participants
Number of prior regimens
Prior autologous HSCT
3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants
Tumor burden, Baseline LDH (U/L)223 U/L
Tumor burden, Baseline SPD (mm2)2239 mm2

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
7 / 15
other
Total, other adverse events
15 / 15
serious
Total, serious adverse events
9 / 15

Outcome results

Primary

Rate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 Criteria

The incidence of grade 2+ neurotoxicity is reported below and was assessed using CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v4.04 criteria. Neurotoxicity is a serious side effect of cancer treatments that can impact the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurotoxicity manifestations vary and can include confusion, obtundation, seizures, hallucinations, aphasia, ataxia, and more rarely, profound cerebral edema.

Time frame: 30 Days

Population: Neurotoxicity, Max Grade

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 CriteriaGrade 13 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 CriteriaGrade 22 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 CriteriaGrade 3-45 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 CriteriaGrade 51 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Neurotoxicity as Per CTCAE v4.03 CriteriaDid not experience Neurotoxicity4 Participants
Secondary

Duration of Response

Among participants who experience an objective response, duration of response (DOR) is defined as the date of their first objective response to disease progression per the revised IWG Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma, or death regardless of cause. Participants not meeting the criteria for progressive disease (PD) or death by the analysis data cutoff date will be censored at their last evaluable disease assessment date and their response will be noted as ongoing. \* PD = ≥ 50% increase from nadir in the sum of the products of at least two lymph nodes; ≥ 50% increase in product of the diameters of single node; new lesion \>1.5 cm; ≥ 50% size increase of splenic/hepatic nodules; ≥ 50% increase in longest diameter of any single previously identified node more than 1 cm in its short axis; PET scan positive

Time frame: first objective response to disease progression death regardless of cause up 24 Months

Population: Progression Free Survival (PFS); Overall Survival OS)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelDuration of ResponsePFS at 12 months42.4 percentage of participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelDuration of ResponseOS at 6 months79.4 percentage of participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelDuration of ResponseOS at 12 months64.2 percentage of participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelDuration of ResponsePFS at 6 months58.2 percentage of participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or Higher

Subject incidence rates of adverse events including all, serious, fatal, CTCAE version 4.03 Grade 3 or higher and treatment related AEs reported throughout the conduct of the study will be tabulated by preferred term and system organ class

Time frame: 24 Months

Population: Participants who experienced Adverse Events (AE), Grade 3 or higher

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherInfections and Infestations: Grade 34 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherNervous System Disorders : Grade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherBlood and lymphatic system disorders : Grade 39 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherBlood and lymphatic system disorders : Grade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherCardiac disorders : Grade 31 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherGastrointestinal disorders : Grade 34 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherGeneral disorders and administration site conditions : Grade 35 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherHepatobiliary disorders : Grade 31 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherImmune system disorders : Grade 31 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherInvestigations : Grade 39 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherInvestigations : Grade 49 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherPsychiatric disorders : Grade 32 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherRenal and urinary disorders : Grade 32 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherInfections and Infestations : Grade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherInfections and Infestations : Grade 51 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherNervous System Disorders : Grade 36 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherEar and labyrinth disorders : Grade 31 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherEndocrine disorders : Grade 31 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherEndocrine disorders : Grade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherMetabolism and nutrition disorders : Grade 39 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherMetabolism and nutrition disorders : Grade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders : Grade 32 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders : Grade 35 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherVascular disorders : Grade 34 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelNumber of Participants With Adverse Events CTCAE Version 4.03 Grade 3 or HigherVascular disorders : Grade 41 Participants
Secondary

Objective Response Rate

Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the incidence of either a complete response (CR) or a partial response (PR) by the revised IWG Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma. All participants who don't meet the ORR criteria by the analysis data cutoff date will be considered non-responders. * CR = complete disappearance of all detectable clinical evidence of disease and disease related symptoms if present before therapy; PET scan negative; lymph nodes/nodal masses regressed to normal size; normal size spleen/liver on CT scan; bone marrow aspirate and biopsy shows no evidence of disease by morphology or negative by IHC. * PR = ≥ 50% decrease in sum of the product of diameters (SPD) of up to 6 of the largest dominant nodes or nodal masses; no size increase of nodes/liver/spleen; no new sites of disease; post-treatment PET scan positive in ≥ 1 previously involved site.

Time frame: 24 Months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelObjective Response RateOverall Response Rate13 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelObjective Response RateComplete Response7 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelObjective Response RatePartial Response6 Participants
Secondary

Overall Survival

Kaplan-Meier estimates and 2-sided 95% confidence intervals will be generated for OS.

Time frame: time from axicabtagene ciloleucel infusion to the date of death or analysis data cutoff date will be censored at last contact date up to 24 months.

Population: Overall Survival

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelOverall SurvivalOS at 6 months79.4 percentage of participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelOverall SurvivalOS at 12 months64.2 percentage of participants
Secondary

Progression-free Survival

Kaplan-Meier estimates and 2-sided 95% confidence intervals will be generated for progression-free survival time

Time frame: infusion date to the date of disease progression or death from any cause up 24 Months

Population: Progression Free Survival

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelProgression-free SurvivalPFS at 6 months58.2 percentage of participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelProgression-free SurvivalPFS at 12 months42.4 percentage of participants
Secondary

Rate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRS

The incidence of max grade 2+ CRS will be assessed

Time frame: Within 30 days after infusion

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSGrade 41 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSGrade 16 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSNo CRS1 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSGrade 26 Participants
Anakinra and Axicabtagene CiloleucelRate of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as Per Lee 2014 for CRSGrade 31 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 24, 2026