T-Cell Therapy (ECT204) in Adults With Advanced HCC

Purpose

This is an open-label, dose escalation, multi-center, Phase I/II clinical trial aimed at assessing the safety and preliminary efficacy of an investigational ARTEMIS® ECT204 T-cell therapy. The trial is suitable for adult subjects (≥ 18 years of age) diagnosed with GPC3-positive HCC, who have failed or not tolerated at least two (2) different anti-HCC systemic agents. Phase I has concluded and a Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D) has been determined. We are now conducting Phase II to further confirm the safety profile of ECT204 and evaluate its efficacy.

Conditions

  • Hepatocellular Carcinoma
  • Liver Cancer, Adult
  • Liver Neoplasm
  • Metastatic Liver Cancer

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Histologically confirmed HCC, which is unresectable, recurrent and/or metastatic. - GPC3-positive expression in HCC tumor cells confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). To be eligible for Phase 2 (expansion phase) of the study, the subject's tumor biopsy sample (resection or needle core sample) must demonstrate that more than 50% of tumor cells exhibit at least 3+ GPC3 expression intensity. - Must have failed, or not tolerated, at least two (2) different anti-HCC systemic agents. - Life expectancy of at least 4 months per the Investigator's opinion. - Karnofsky Performance Scale of 70 or higher. - Measurable disease by RECIST v1.1. Previously treated lesions are allowed as long as there is a new confirmed measurable component. - Child-Pugh score of A6 or better. - Adequate organ function.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Pre-existing illness (e.g., symptomatic congestive heart failure) that would limit compliance with study requirements. - Active, uncontrolled systemic bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Subjects with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C are eligible provided their infection is being treated and the viral load is controlled. - Active malignancy (other than HCC), with the exception of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or any malignancy without any organ involvement and with an expected survival ≥ 3 years without any treatment (exception: hormone/androgen- deprivation therapy). - Currently receiving or ending (< 14 days from date of consent) liver tumor-directed therapy (e.g., radiation, ablation, embolization), or hepatic surgery. - Concurrently receiving other investigational agents, biological, chemical, or radiation therapies, while participating in the study. - Active autoimmune disease requiring therapy. - Compromised circulation in the main portal vein, hepatic vein, or vena cava due to obstruction. - History of organ transplant. - Advanced HCC involving greater than half (50%) of the liver.

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
In Phase 2 (expansion phase) of the Phase I/II study, subjects will be assigned in a parallel, non-randomized manner to one of two expansion cohorts: Arm A or Arm B.
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Arm A
Approximately 10-15 subjects will receive ECT204 at the RP2D by intravenous infusion and preceded by cyclophosphamide and fludarabine chemotherapy for lymphodepletion.
  • Biological: ECT204 T cells
    ECT204 is an autologous T-cell therapy whereby a subject's own T cells are transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing the ECT204 transgene.
Experimental
Arm B
Approximately 10-15 subjects will receive ECT204 at the RP2D by intravenous infusion and preceded by cyclophosphamide and fludarabine chemotherapy for lymphodepletion. Arm B subjects will also receive pre-treatment with regorafenib (STIVARGA®) before ECT204 administration.
  • Biological: ECT204 T cells
    ECT204 is an autologous T-cell therapy whereby a subject's own T cells are transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing the ECT204 transgene.
  • Drug: Regorafenib (STIVARGA®, BAY73-4506)
    Regorafenib pretreatment before an ECT204 infusion.

Recruiting Locations

Kansas University Medical Center
Westwood, Kansas 66205
Contact:
Anna Davis
913-588-0242
adavis43@kumc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Eureka Therapeutics Inc.

Study Contact

Teresa Klask, MBA
925-949-9314
Teresa.Klask@eurekainc.com

Detailed Description

This is an open-label, dose escalation, multi-center, Phase I/II clinical trial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an investigational ARTEMIS® ECT204 T-cell therapy in adult patients with GPC3-positive advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a patient's T cells are collected and genetically modified to express Eureka's proprietary anti-GPC3 ARTEMIS T cell receptors (AbTCR). These modified T cells are then reintroduced into the patient to specifically seek out and destroy GPC3-expressing cancer cells. Phase 1 (Dose Escalation Phase): Completed; RP2D of ECT204 was determined. Phase 2 (Expansion Phase): The expansion phase includes 2 study arms. Arm A: Subjects will receive ECT204 as monotherapy Arm B: Subjects will receive pre-treatment with regorafenib (STIVARGA®) before ECT204 administration. The active assessment period of the study will continue for 2 years. Subjects will be followed for assessment of treatment safety and overall survival during Long Term Follow-Up (LTFU; year 2 -15).