Actively Recruiting

Phase 1
Age: 1Year +
All Genders
ID05650749

Phase 1 Trial of GPC2-Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor Autologous T Cells for Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma and Metastatic Retinoblastoma

Led by Stephan Grupp MD PhD · Updated on 2025-12-29

45

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

104 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

S

Stephan Grupp MD PhD

Lead Sponsor

C

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using GPC2-directed CAR T cells in patients with advanced neuroblastoma or retinoblastoma who have relapsed or refractory disease. These children face poor outcomes despite existing intense treatments, and GPC2 is a promising target due to its high expression on tumor cells but low presence on normal tissues. The trial is a first-in-human, open-label, phase 1 dose escalation and expansion study designed to assess safety, tolerability, and manufacturing feasibility of this novel therapy. Participants will receive genetically modified autologous T cells engineered to target GPC2. The study includes two arms: a dose escalation arm to determine the maximum tolerated dose using a standard 3+3 design, followed by a dose expansion arm to further assess safety and preliminary effectiveness at a safe dose. The treatment is given once the dose is established, and further patients may be enrolled to evaluate response rates and safety profiles. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for adverse events and treatment response over five years. Researchers will assess safety outcomes such as maximum tolerated dose and frequency of adverse events, and secondary outcomes including cell manufacturing feasibility, persistence of CAR T cells, and preliminary clinical activity. Participants will undergo regular evaluations including imaging, laboratory tests, and clinical assessments to track disease status and treatment effects throughout the study and follow-up period.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

GPC2 CAR T Cells for Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma and Metastatic Retinoblastoma

Who Can Participate

Age: 1Year +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Patients must be at least 1 year old
  • Diagnosis of high-risk neuroblastoma or metastatic retinoblastoma confirmed by standard criteria
  • Disease must be recurrent, relapsed, refractory, or metastatic with measurable or evaluable tumors
  • Adequate organ function including renal, liver, lung, and heart as defined by study parameters
  • Lansky or Karnofsky performance score of 60 or higher
  • For retinoblastoma, prior treatments and staging as specified in the protocol
  • Histologic confirmation of disease in some cases as required
  • No known curative therapies available for neuroblastoma relapse patients
  • Must meet specific disease progression or response criteria outlined in the study
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Active hepatitis B or C infection
  • HIV infection
  • Uncontrolled active infections
  • Primary or acquired immunodeficiency disorders
  • Known allergy to DMSO
  • Use of systemic steroids or immunosuppression at time of cell infusion or collection
  • Active central nervous system metastases for neuroblastoma patients
  • Medical conditions increasing risk of severe cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity
  • Serious cardiac conditions including congestive heart failure, unstable angina, arrhythmias, recent myocardial infarction, or myocarditis
  • Receipt of live vaccines within 30 days before enrollment
  • Pregnancy or nursing mothers
  • Life expectancy less than 6 months at consent
  • Specific retinoblastoma exclusions such as concurrent CNS disease in some cohorts, bulky CNS tumors, or certain disease stages without metastasis

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - Duration of treatment depends on dose escalation and response; dosing occurs as per protocol until discontinuation or disease progression.

Participants receive GPC2 CAR T cell therapy to target relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma or metastatic retinoblastoma.

1 baseline visit and multiple follow-up visits as per protocol

Follow-up

Duration - Up to 5 years

Participants are monitored for safety, adverse events, and persistence of GPC2 CAR T cells after treatment ends.

Regular visits for safety and response assessments during follow-up

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

C

CART Nurse Navigator

M

Melissa Varghese, M.S.

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

D3-GPC2-Directed CAR T Cells Are Safe and Efficacious in Preclinical Models of Neuroblastoma and Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Anna Maria Giudice, Stephanie Matlaga, Sydney L Roth...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41026583