MedPath

Gene Therapy for Transfusion Dependent Beta-thalassemia

Phase 1
Conditions
Beta-Thalassemia
Interventions
Genetic: Autologous hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene
Registration Number
NCT02453477
Lead Sponsor
IRCCS San Raffaele
Brief Summary

This is a phase I/II study evaluating safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene for the treatment of patients affected by transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia

Detailed Description

Both adults and pediatric patients will be treated with genetically modified autologous hematopoietic stem cells collected from mobilized peripheral blood (or bone marrow for patients \< 8 years in case mobilization will not be feasible) and transduced with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene.

This study will enroll 10 patients allocated in 3 groups, according to age and conditioning regimen:

1. 3 adults (≥18 years) conditioned with treosulfan and thiotepa

2. 3 elderly children (8-17 years) conditioned with treosulfan and thiotepa

3. 4 younger children (3-7 years) conditioned with treosulfan and thiotepa Enrolment will start in adult patients. Pediatric patients will be included once evidence of preliminary safety and biological efficacy is shown in at least 2 adults.

Patients are included regardless of the beta globin gene mutation, provided an adequate cardiac, renal, hepatic and pulmonary function is demonstrated. Patients with severe iron overload are excluded as well as patients with active viral infections. Pediatric patients can be enrolled only in absence of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling or a suitable 10/10 matched unrelated donor.

The treated patients will be followed for 2 years. After completion of the 2 years follow up, patients will be enrolled in a long term follow up study and followed up for at least other additional 6 years.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent

  • Transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (any genotype). Transfusion dependence is defined as receiving ≥ 8 transfusions of blood per year over a minimum of 2 years.

  • Karnofsky Index or Lansky > 80%

  • Age ≥ 3 years and < 65 years

  • Adequate cardiac, renal, hepatic and pulmonary functions as evidenced by:

    • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than 45% by echo and normal ECG or presence of abnormalities not significant for cardiac disease. Absence of severe pulmonary hypertension
    • Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) > 50% and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) > 60% predicted (if non cooperative: pulse oximetry > 95 % in room air)
    • Serum creatinine < 1.5 upper limit of normal
    • Absent-mild-moderate liver iron overload on T2*MRI (less than 12 months before enrolment)
    • Absent-mild-moderate cardiac iron overload T2*MRI (less than 12 months before enrolment)
    • Absence of severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis on fibroscan or liver biopsy (less than 12 months before enrolment)
  • Low risk thrombophilic screen and negative history of significant previous thrombotic events

  • For all patients in reproductive age, agreement to use highly effective and adequate method of contraception while receiving treatment phase and for at least 12 months following drugs administration (including both females of child bearing potential and males with partners of child bearing potential)

  • Good adherence to transfusion and chelation programme as indirect evidence of good adherence to treatment and follow-up evaluations for current trial

  • Availability of an adequate and well documented transfusion history (at least previous 6 months) or availability to follow a regular transfusion regimen according to guidelines and provide a detailed transfusion record of the 6 months prior to intervention phase

Exclusion Criteria
  • Use of other investigational agents within 4 weeks prior to study enrolment (within 6 weeks if use of long-acting agents)
  • Severe, active viral, bacterial, or fungal infection at eligibility evaluation
  • Malignant neoplasia (except local skin cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) or exceptional family history of familial cancer syndromes
  • Myelodysplasia, cytogenetic alterations associated with neoplasia, or other serious haematological disorder than thalassemia
  • History of uncontrolled seizures
  • Other clinical conditions judged non compatible with the procedure and/or the treatment
  • Positivity for HIV (serology or RNA), and/or HbsAg and/or HBV DNA and/or HCV RNA (or negative HCV RNA but on antiviral treatment) and/or Treponema Pallidum or Mycoplasma active infection
  • Active alcohol or substance abuse within 6 months of the study
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Previous allogeneic bone marrow transplantation or gene therapy
  • For paediatric patients only: availability of an HLA-matched donor (sibling or of a suitable 10/10 matched unrelated donor).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Elderly childrenAutologous hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene8-17 years (3 subjects) The ATIMP consists of autologous CD34+ cell enriched fraction containing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) transduced with the GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the beta-globin gene re-suspended in their final formulation medium. Dosage indications The target dose in the transduced product is 5x10(6) cells/Kg CD34+cells, with a minimum dose of 2x10(6)/Kg and a maximum dose of 20x10(6)/Kg, depending on the yield of cells. The product will be injected intraosseously.
AdultsAutologous hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene≥18 years (3 subjects) The ATIMP consists of autologous CD34+ cell enriched fraction containing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) transduced with the GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the beta-globin gene re-suspended in their final formulation medium. Dosage indications The target dose in the transduced product is 5x10(6) cells/Kg CD34+cells, with a minimum dose of 2x10(6)/Kg and a maximum dose of 20x10(6)/Kg, depending on the yield of cells. The product will be injected intraosseously.
Younger childrenAutologous hematopoietic stem cells genetically modified with GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the human beta-globin gene3-7 years (4 subjects) The ATIMP consists of autologous CD34+ cell enriched fraction containing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) transduced with the GLOBE lentiviral vector encoding for the beta-globin gene re-suspended in their final formulation medium. Dosage indications The target dose in the transduced product is 5x10(6) cells/Kg CD34+cells, with a minimum dose of 2x10(6)/Kg and a maximum dose of 20x10(6)/Kg, depending on the yield of cells. The product will be injected intraosseously.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Short-term safety and tolerability of the different conditioning regimensfrom day -5 (first day of conditioning treatment) to day 100 after gene therapy

The percentage of patients with the following clinical events from day -5 to +100 days from injection: NCI (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria grading) ≥2 and metabolic/laboratory NCI ≥3.

Safety of the administration of autologous haematopoietic stem cells transduced with LV-GLOBE0-24 months after gene therapy

* short-term tolerability: the percentage of patients not experiencing short-term (0-24 hours from injection) adverse events (of any grade) and systemic reactions.

* absence of Replication Competent Lentivirus (RCL): the percentage of subjects without RCL in the 24 months from injection.

* absence of abnormal clonal proliferation: the percentage of subjects without abnormal clonal proliferation in the 24 months from injection.

Overall safety and tolerability measured by AE recording0-24 months after gene therapy

The number of AEs (adverse events) and SAEs (serious adverse events) and the percentage of subjects experiencing AEs and SAEs in the 24 months post injection will be summarized by severity and within body system involved.

Reduction in transfusion frequency up to transfusion independencefrom -7 months before gene therapy to 2 years after gene therapy

Transfusions will be recorded as mLs of blood/kg/months

Polyclonal engraftmentFrom 6 months to 2 years after gene therapy

The percentage of subjects with polyclonality of haematopoiesis will be estimated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months from injection. Polyclonality of haematopoiesis will be defined as \> 1000 unique integration sites retrieved from peripheral blood and/or bone marrow cells.

Overall survival2 years

Number of patients alive all over the trial

Achievement of hematological engraftmentwithin day +60 after gene therapy

Haematological engraftment is defined as first day of neutrophil count \>500/mm3 and platelets \>20,000/mm3 on 3 consecutive blood counts.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adequate engraftment of genetically corrected cells6, 12, and 24 months after gene therapy

Engraftment will be assessed by vector-specific quantitative Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) on bone marrow. Adequate engraftment is defined as ≥ 0.15 VCN/genome. (VCN = Vector Copy Number)

Transfusion independence9 months, 1, 1.5 and 2 years after gene therapy

Transfusion independence is defined as ≤ 1 transfusion in the previous 6 months

Adequate haemoglobin level0-24 months after gene therapy

Haemoglobin level will be assessed by full blood counts in patients achieving transfusion independence. Adequate haemoglobin is defined as haemoglobin \>9 g/dl in adults and \>10 g/dl in children.

Transgene expression6, 12, and 24 months after gene therapy

Transgene expression will be evaluated by globin chains and/or hemoglobin synthesis on peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples by HPLC and/or electrophoresis analysis

Improvement of health-related quality of life12 and 24 months

Health-related quality of life will be assessed by the use of standardized questionnaires

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ospedale San Raffaele

🇮🇹

Milano, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath