A phase I CAR T-cell clinical trial targeting the molecule IL13Rα2 found on the surface of some tumors is being conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). CAR T-cell therapies work by engineering immune cells called T-cells to target and kill cancer cells. The UCLA team is currently pre-screening patients with the following solid tumors to determine eligibility:
- Neuroendocrine tumors, including paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma
- Thyroid Carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Sarcoma
- Other solid tumors
The pre-screening process involves (1) consent via telephone with the study team; (2) requesting tumor samples from your biopsy or surgery, and (3) testing tissue for IL13Rα2 expression and reporting results to you and your physician.
Pre-screening involves no commitment. If your test result is positive, you may be eligible for the clinical trial in consultation with your oncologist.
This trial investigates the safety and effectiveness of IL13Rα2 CAR T-cells in treating advanced melanoma and other solid tumors, such as neuroendocrine cancer, aiming to improve treatment options for advanced cancers. Participants who are refractory to standard therapies must have advanced melanoma or other solid tumors with the target. Further criteria will be discussed with the study doctor.
You may view the specific trial details here. For more information or to discuss participation, please contact Christy Sidhu at (310)-206-5087 or PICICenterResearch@mednet.ucla.edu.
This is a second clinical trial of CAR T-cell immunotherapy for neuroendocrine tumors that is currently open in 2024. A CAR T-cell trial targeting CDH17, a protein found mainly in the intestinal system, has opened in the past several months. NETRF funded groundbreaking preclinical research at the University of Pennsylvania to bring this exciting approach to immunotherapy from bench to bedside.