A phase I clinical trial of PSMA-directed/TGFβ-insensitive CAR-T cells in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Authors

Vivek Narayan

Vivek Narayan

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Vivek Narayan , Julie Barber-Rotenberg , Joseph Fraietta , Wei-Ting Hwang , Simon F. Lacey , Gabriela Plesa , Erica L. Carpenter , Shannon L. Maude , Priti Lal , Neha Vapiwala , Jan J. Melenhorst , Ronnie Sebro , Michael Farwell , Michael Moniak , Joan Gilmore , Lester Lledo , Karen Dengel , Carl H. June , Naomi B. Haas

Organizations

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, Cancer Immunotherapy Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvaina, Philadelphia, PA, Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania (ECOG-ACRIN), Philadelphia, PA

Research Funding

Other Foundation
Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company

Background: Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a highly expressed tumor-associated antigen potentially amenable to chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cell therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, a primary challenge to the success of CAR-T therapy in CRPC is the immunosuppressive microenvironment, characterized by high levels of TGFβ. The immunosuppressive functions of TGFβ can be inhibited in T cells using a dominant negative TGFβ receptor (TGFβRdn), thereby enhancing antitumor immunity. Methods: We conducted a first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of PSMA-directed/TGFβ-insensitive CAR-T cells (CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn) in patients with metastatic CRPC (NCT03089203). In a 3+3 dose-escalation design, patients received a single dose of 1-3 x 107/m2 (Cohort 1) or 1-3 x 108/m2 (Cohort 2) CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn cells without lymphodepleting (LD) chemotherapy. In Cohort 3, one patient received 1-3 x 108/m2 CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn cells following a LD chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (Cy/Flu). In Cohort -3, three patients received 1-3 x 107/m2 CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn cells following Cy/Flu. Patients underwent metastatic tumor biopsies at baseline and on day 10 following treatment. Quantitative PCR of CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn DNA was performed at serial timepoints to evaluate for CAR-T expansion and persistence in peripheral blood and trafficking to target tissues. Multiplex cytokine analysis assessed CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn bioactivity. Results: Ten patients received CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn therapy across dose-level cohorts. All CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn infusion products met target transduction efficiency. Evaluation of CAR-T cellular kinetics demonstrated dose-dependent peripheral blood T cell expansion, as well as tumor tissue trafficking in post-treatment tumor biopsies. At Cohort 2 and above, 5 of 7 treated patients developed grade ≥2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Marked increases in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-15, IL-2, IFNγ) correlated with high-grade CRS events. One grade 5 adverse event (sepsis) occurred in Cohort 3. PSA decline was observed in 6 of 10 patients (median decline -33.2%, range -11.6% to -98.3%), and PSA30 response occurred in 4 of 10 patients (including one patient achieving PSA < 0.1 ng/mL). Conclusions: Adoptive cellular therapy with CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn is safe and feasible in patients with metastatic CRPC. A dose-dependent and lymphodepletion chemotherapy-dependent relationship was observed with CART-PSMA-TGFβRdn cell expansion, cytokine expression, CRS, and anti-tumor effect. Correlative cell trafficking and paired tumor Nanostring analyses will be presented. Future clinical investigations seek to enhance anti-tumor efficacy, while optimizing the therapeutic window. Clinical trial information: NCT03089203

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session: Prostate Cancer - Advanced Disease

Track

Prostate Cancer - Advanced

Sub Track

Therapeutics

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT03089203

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 6; abstr 125)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.6_suppl.125

Abstract #

125

Poster Bd #

Online Only

Abstract Disclosures

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