Bispecific anti-CD20, anti-CD19 CAR T cells for relapsed B cell malignancies: a phase 1 dose escalation and expansion trial

Nat Med. 2020 Oct;26(10):1569-1575. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-1081-3. Epub 2020 Oct 5.

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting CD19 are a breakthrough treatment for relapsed, refractory B cell malignancies1-5. Despite impressive outcomes, relapse with CD19- disease remains a challenge. We address this limitation through a first-in-human trial of bispecific anti-CD20, anti-CD19 (LV20.19) CAR T cells for relapsed, refractory B cell malignancies. Adult patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia were treated on a phase 1 dose escalation and expansion trial (NCT03019055) to evaluate the safety of 4-1BB-CD3ζ LV20.19 CAR T cells and the feasibility of on-site manufacturing using the CliniMACS Prodigy system. CAR T cell doses ranged from 2.5 × 105-2.5 × 106 cells per kg. Cell manufacturing was set at 14 d with the goal of infusing non-cryopreserved LV20.19 CAR T cells. The target dose of LV20.19 CAR T cells was met in all CAR-naive patients, and 22 patients received LV20.19 CAR T cells on protocol. In the absence of dose-limiting toxicity, a dose of 2.5 × 106 cells per kg was chosen for expansion. Grade 3-4 cytokine release syndrome occurred in one (5%) patient, and grade 3-4 neurotoxicity occurred in three (14%) patients. Eighteen (82%) patients achieved an overall response at day 28, 14 (64%) had a complete response, and 4 (18%) had a partial response. The overall response rate to the dose of 2.5 × 106 cells per kg with non-cryopreserved infusion (n = 12) was 100% (complete response, 92%; partial response, 8%). Notably, loss of the CD19 antigen was not seen in patients who relapsed or experienced treatment failure. In conclusion, on-site manufacturing and infusion of non-cryopreserved LV20.19 CAR T cells were feasible and therapeutically safe, showing low toxicity and high efficacy. Bispecific CARs may improve clinical responses by mitigating target antigen downregulation as a mechanism of relapse.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / immunology
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / pathology
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / therapy*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / immunology
  • Recurrence
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03019055