Brain NeoplasmPhase 1NCT00001328
Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Brain Tumors
A Phase 1 study testing Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium) and G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell Line in people with Brain Neoplasm and Neoplasm Metastasis, run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Malignant brain tumors are responsible for a significant amount of deaths in children and adults. Even with advances in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, many patients diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor survive only months to weeks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Brain Neoplasm, Neoplasm Metastasis
- What is being tested?
- Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium) and G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell Line
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 21 Aug 1992to 30 Apr 2010
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- All adults, greater than 18 years of age, with malignant brain tumors (primary and metastatic) who failed all standard therapy for their disease will be eligible to enter the study.
Who cannot join
- No pregnant women will be entered into the study.
- Patients with HIV infection will not be accepted for this study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
About this study
Official title: Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Brain Tumors Using Intra-Tumoral Transduction With the Thymidine Kinase Gene and Intravenous Ganciclovir
Malignant brain tumors are responsible for a significant amount of deaths in children and adults. Even with advances in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, many patients diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor survive only months to weeks.
In an attempt to improve the prognosis for these patients, researchers have developed a new approach to brain tumor therapy. This approach makes use of DNA technology to transfer genes sensitive to therapy into the cells of the tumor.
Read more
Infections with the herpes simplex virus can cause cold sores in the area of the mouth. A drug called ganciclovir (Cytovene) can kill the virus. Ganciclovir is effective because the herpes virus contains a gene (Herpes-Thymidine Kinase TK gene) that is sensitive to the drug. Researchers have been able to separate this gene from the virus.
Using DNA technology, researchers hope to transfer and implant the TK gene into tumor cells making them sensitive to ganciclovir. In theory, giving patients ganciclovir will kill all tumor cells that have the TK gene incorporated into them.
Read the detailed description
Malignant brain tumors are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in both pediatric and adult populations. These common tumors present an enormous therapeutic challenge due to their poor outcome despite radical surgery, high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Survival of patients from the time of diagnosis is measured in months and recurrence after treatment is associated with a life expectancy of weeks.
In an attempt to improve this grim prognosis of patients with malignant brain tumors (both primary tumors and secondary metastasis from systemic cancer such as melanoma, lung and breast cancer), we developed a novel approach to the therapy of brain tumors. This approach makes use of recombinant DNA technology to transfer a sensitivity gene into a brain tumor. This is achieved by direct injection of the tumor with a cell line actively producing a retroviral vector carrying a gene conferring drug sensitivity to the tumor. A retroviral vector is a mouse retrovirus genetically engineered to replace its own genes with a new gene. Such vectors are capable of "infecting" mammalian cells and stably incorporate their new genetic material into the genome of the infected host. The producer cell is an NIH 3T3 cell that has been genetically engineered to continually produce retroviral vectors. The new gene is incorporated into the genome of the tumor cells and expresses the protein which is encoded by the new gene. This protein (the herpes simplex virus enzyme thymidine kinase, HS-tk) sensitizes the tumor cells to an antiviral drug (ganciclovir, GCV) which is a natural substrate for HS-tk. The enzymatic process induced by GCV leads to death of a natural substrate for HS-tk. The enzymatic process induced by GCV leads to death of the cell expressing the herpes TK activity, i.e., death of the tumor cells. Since the HS-tk enzyme which is normally present in mammalian cells has very low affinity for GCV, systemic toxicity related to this mechanism is not observed. This type of in vivo gene transfer has several unique features. First, these retroviral-vectors will only integrate and express their genes in cells which are actively synthesizing DNA. Therefore, surrounding non-proliferating normal brain tissue should not acquire the HS-tk gene and will remain insensitive to GCV. Second, all of the transduced tumor cells (and retroviral vector producing cells) will be killed by the host immune response and/or GCV treatment eliminating potential concern about insertional mutagenesis giving rise to malignant cells.
This is the first clinical attempt to treat malignant tumors in human beings by in-vivo genetic manipulation of tumor's genome.
- Conditions
- Brain Neoplasm, Neoplasm Metastasis
- Being tested
- Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium), G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell Line
- Keywords
- Cancer, Gene Transfer, Recurrent Tumors, Primary Tumors, Metastases, Anti-Viral Drugs, Chemosensitization, Brain Tumors, Gene Therapy, Ganciclovir
- Medical subject headings
- Brain Neoplasms, Neoplasm Metastasis, Neoplasms, Multiple Acyl Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium)Drug
G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell LineDevice
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Study start21 Aug 1992
- Primary completion30 Apr 2010
- Study completion30 Apr 2010
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Brain NeoplasmStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)The sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001328
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 920246
- Other IDs
- 92-N-0246
- Status last verified
- 30 Apr 2010
- First submitted
- 3 Nov 1999
- Last updated
- 2 Jul 2017
- Results posted
- No
Publications
Ram Z, Culver KW, Oshiro EM, Viola JJ, DeVroom HL, Otto E, Long Z, Chiang Y, McGarrity GJ, Muul LM, Katz D, Blaese RM, Oldfield EH. Therapy of malignant brain tumors by intratumoral implantation of retroviral vector-producing cells. Nat Med. 1997 Dec;3(12):1354-61. doi: 10.1038/nm1297-1354.
PubMed 9396605Oshiro EM, Viola JJ, Oldfield EH, Walbridge S, Bacher J, Frank JA, Blaese RM, Ram Z. Toxicity studies and distribution dynamics of retroviral vectors following intrathecal administration of retroviral vector-producer cells. Cancer Gene Ther. 1995 Jun;2(2):87-95.
PubMed 7621261Oldfield EH, Ram Z, Chiang Y, Blaese RM. Intrathecal gene therapy for the treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. GTI 0108. A phase I/II study. Hum Gene Ther. 1995 Jan;6(1):55-85. doi: 10.1089/hum.1995.6.1-55. No abstract available.
PubMed 7703288
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jul 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Brain Tumors Using Intra-Tumoral Transduction With the Thymidine Kinase Gene and Intravenous Ganciclovir
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001328
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 920246
- Conditions
- Brain Neoplasm, Neoplasm Metastasis
- Keywords
- Cancer, Gene Transfer, Recurrent Tumors, Primary Tumors, Metastases, Anti-Viral Drugs, Chemosensitization, Brain Tumors
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- 21 Aug 1992
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2010 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2010 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Malignant brain tumors are responsible for a significant amount of deaths in children and adults. Even with advances in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, many patients diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor survive only months to weeks.
In an attempt to improve the prognosis for these patients, researchers have developed a new approach to brain tumor therapy. This approach makes use of DNA technology to transfer genes sensitive to therapy into the cells of the tumor.
Infections with the herpes simplex virus can cause cold sores in the area of the mouth. A drug called ganciclovir (Cytovene) can kill the virus. Ganciclovir is effective because the herpes virus contains a gene (Herpes-Thymidine Kinase TK gene) that is sensitive to the drug. Researchers have been able to separate this gene from the virus.
Using DNA technology, researchers hope to transfer and implant the TK gene into tumor cells making them sensitive to ganciclovir. In theory, giving patients ganciclovir will kill all tumor cells that have the TK gene incorporated into them.
Detailed description
Malignant brain tumors are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in both pediatric and adult populations. These common tumors present an enormous therapeutic challenge due to their poor outcome despite radical surgery, high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Survival of patients from the time of diagnosis is measured in months and recurrence after treatment is associated with a life expectancy of weeks.
In an attempt to improve this grim prognosis of patients with malignant brain tumors (both primary tumors and secondary metastasis from systemic cancer such as melanoma, lung and breast cancer), we developed a novel approach to the therapy of brain tumors. This approach makes use of recombinant DNA technology to transfer a sensitivity gene into a brain tumor. This is achieved by direct injection of the tumor with a cell line actively producing a retroviral vector carrying a gene conferring drug sensitivity to the tumor. A retroviral vector is a mouse retrovirus genetically engineered to replace its own genes with a new gene. Such vectors are capable of "infecting" mammalian cells and stably incorporate their new genetic material into the genome of the infected host. The producer cell is an NIH 3T3 cell that has been genetically engineered to continually produce retroviral vectors. The new gene is incorporated into the genome of the tumor cells and expresses the protein which is encoded by the new gene. This protein (the herpes simplex virus enzyme thymidine kinase, HS-tk) sensitizes the tumor cells to an antiviral drug (ganciclovir, GCV) which is a natural substrate for HS-tk. The enzymatic process induced by GCV leads to death of a natural substrate for HS-tk. The enzymatic process induced by GCV leads to death of the cell expressing the herpes TK activity, i.e., death of the tumor cells. Since the HS-tk enzyme which is normally present in mammalian cells has very low affinity for GCV, systemic toxicity related to this mechanism is not observed. This type of in vivo gene transfer has several unique features. First, these retroviral-vectors will only integrate and express their genes in cells which are actively synthesizing DNA. Therefore, surrounding non-proliferating normal brain tissue should not acquire the HS-tk gene and will remain insensitive to GCV. Second, all of the transduced tumor cells (and retroviral vector producing cells) will be killed by the host immune response and/or GCV treatment eliminating potential concern about insertional mutagenesis giving rise to malignant cells.
This is the first clinical attempt to treat malignant tumors in human beings by in-vivo genetic manipulation of tumor's genome.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- All adults, greater than 18 years of age, with malignant brain tumors (primary and metastatic) who failed all standard therapy for their disease will be eligible to enter the study.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- No pregnant women will be entered into the study.
- Patients with HIV infection will not be accepted for this study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium) | Drug | – |
| G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell Line | Device | – |
Primary outcome
Not reported in the source record.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jul 2017.
- Background: PubMed 9396605Ram Z, Culver KW, Oshiro EM, Viola JJ, DeVroom HL, Otto E, Long Z, Chiang Y, McGarrity GJ, Muul LM, Katz D, Blaese RM, Oldfield EH. Therapy of malignant brain tumors by intratumoral implantation of retroviral vector-producing cells. Nat Med. 1997 Dec;3(12):1354-61. doi: 10.1038/nm1297-1354.
- Background: PubMed 7621261Oshiro EM, Viola JJ, Oldfield EH, Walbridge S, Bacher J, Frank JA, Blaese RM, Ram Z. Toxicity studies and distribution dynamics of retroviral vectors following intrathecal administration of retroviral vector-producer cells. Cancer Gene Ther. 1995 Jun;2(2):87-95.
- Background: PubMed 7703288Oldfield EH, Ram Z, Chiang Y, Blaese RM. Intrathecal gene therapy for the treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. GTI 0108. A phase I/II study. Hum Gene Ther. 1995 Jan;6(1):55-85. doi: 10.1089/hum.1995.6.1-55. No abstract available.
Related trials for Brain Neoplasm
RecruitingPhase 3
Beginning Radiation Immediately With GammaTile at GBM Excision Versus Standard of Care
Glioblastoma
RecruitingPhase 2
BrAin Metastasis in tripLe Negateive Breast Cancer: IvoneScimab and Trop2 ADC
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), Brain Metastases
RecruitingPhase 1/2
Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Selinexor, to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Temozolomide) for Brain Tumors That Have Returned After Previous Treatment
Recurrent Glioblastoma, IDH-Wildtype, Recurrent MGMT-Methylated Glioblastoma
Active, not recruiting
Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Adults With Neuromuscular Disease
Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Active, not recruitingPhase 1
Prospective Exploratory Study of FAPi PET/CT With Histopathology Validation in Patients With Various Cancers
Bladder Carcinoma, Cervical Carcinoma
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Cytovene (Ganciclovir Sodium) and G1TKSVNa.53 Producer Cell Line in people with Brain Neoplasm and Neoplasm Metastasis, run by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00001328, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jul 2017.