MedPath

T-cell Therapy in Patients With PML

Phase 2
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Progressive Multifocal Leucoencephalopathy (PML)
Interventions
Drug: Application of T-lymphocytes
Registration Number
NCT06990087
Lead Sponsor
Hannover Medical School
Brief Summary

There is no approved standard treatment für progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The sponsor of the study is developing a new treatment. For this reason, the investigational medicinal product (IMP) called 'human allogenic HPyV-2-specific T cells' is to be tested in this study. The sponsor wants to find out whether the IMP is safe, influences the neurological status and improves the quality of the life of patients . It is to be investigated whether the IMP can be used to treat the disease and whether it could have an advantage over the standard therapy in terms of survival rate.

Detailed Description

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by reactivation of human polyoma virus 2 (HPyV-2). HPyV-2 usually produces asymptomatic, lifelong persistent or latent infection in the general population. However, in patients with long lasting and profound impairment of cellular immunity, HPyV-2 can reactivate from latency leading to lytic infection of CNS glial cells and thus to encephalitis PML. PML is usually fatal or at least associated with severe disability which makes it a relevant target for the search of appropriate therapeutic options.

The investigational medicinal products (IMPs) under test are fresh and cryopreserved allogeneic HPyV-2-specific T-lymphocyte apheresis concentrates.

Each patient will receive one HPyV-2-specific T-lymphocyte fresh product and two additional cryopreserved products from the same manufacture with the same dose 2 and 6 weeks after baseline, respectively.

This is the first controlled clinical trial to treat patients suffering from PML with this specific methodology of T-cell therapy. The currently available evidence of safety and efficacy is only based on a small series of individual cases treated on a compassionate use basis. This study aims to generate data on safety and first evidence of efficacy within a standardized clinical trial protocol complying to ICH-GCP principles.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adults* aged ≥ 18 years with PML (diagnosed ≤ 60 days before screening) associated with one or more of the following risk factors: lymphoproliferative diseases, immunosuppressive therapy, or lymphopenia
  • Signed written informed consent from subject and/or legal representative
  • HPyV-2 detection in CSF by PCR analysis or in brain biopsy
Exclusion Criteria
  • PML caused by HIV
  • PML caused by natalizumab
  • PML occurring within five 5 years after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or CAR T cell therapy, or resulting from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Patients who are unable to follow the study protocol, either on their own or with the support of a reliable representative, will be excluded
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Currently receiving chemotherapy
  • Present (within 2 weeks before screening visit) and continuous treatment with immune checkpoint inhibition therapy
  • Severe infections other than PML (e.g. sepsis, pneumonia)
  • Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the medications used
  • Inability to undergo MRI examination (e.g. implanted incompatible medical devices, claustrophobia)
  • Participation in another clinical trial (other investigational drugs or devices at the time of enrolment or within 30 days prior to enrolment)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
InterventionApplication of T-lymphocytesStudy participants receive complete or partially HLA-matched, allogeneic HPyV-2-specific T-lymphocytes
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Demonstrate efficacy of treatment6 months after diagnosis

Determine proportion of patients surviving 6 months (overall survival) since diagnosis.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Safety assessmentAt 12 months from baseline

Determine proportion of patients surviving 12 months (via telephone interview).

Assessment of potential inflammatory safety concernsDuring 6 months from baseline

Laboratory examination of serum-immunoglobulin G (IgG; g/l).

Safety assessment of potential electrolyte imbalanceDuring 6 months from baseline

Laboratory examination of potassium, sodium (mmol/l).

Safety assessment of potential renal dysfunctionDuring 6 months from baseline

Laboratory examination of urea (mmol/l).

Safety assessment of potential liver dysfunctionDuring 6 months from baseline

Laboratory examination of bilirubin (micromol/l).

Safety assessment of potential coagulation disorderDuring 6 months from baseline

Laboratory examination of partial thromboplastin time (PTT; sec.).

Rate of development of IRISDuring 6 months from baseline

Evaluate possible development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) by MRI of the brain and clinical examination.

Assessment of neurological status by Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)Change from baseline after 6 months

mRS compromising 6 levels of degree of impairment (minimum 0 = no symptoms, maximum 6 = death).

Assessment of neurological status by Karnofsky Performance Status IndexChange from baseline after 6 months

Karnofsky Performance Status Index compromising 11 levels of functional impairment (minimum 100% = no symptoms, maximum 0% = death).

Assessment of neurological status by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)Change from baseline after 6 months

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) compromising 8 categories to detect cognitive impairment (minimum 0 points, maximum 30).

Determine change in viral loadChange from baseline after 6 months

HPyV-2 viral load in CSF quantified by PCR.

Evaluation of quality of life improvements by quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)Change from baseline after 6 months

Quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) compromising 5 categories to determine quality of life (minimum 0%, maximum 100%).

Analysis of immunological responseChange from baseline after 6 months

HPyV-2specific -T-lymphocyte frequency in blood detected by IFN-gamma cytokine secretion.

Determine lesion volumeChange from baseline after 6 months

Determine lesion volume on brain MRI.

Evaluation of survivalAt month 12

Evaluation of survival by telephone interview.

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath