Immune cell therapy shows promise for BK virus in transplant kids
NCT ID NCT04197596
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether specially grown immune cells (BK-specific cytotoxic T-cells) from a related donor can safely lower BK virus levels in children, teens, and young adults. Participants have BK infections that did not get better with standard treatment, often after a stem cell or organ transplant, or due to a weak immune system. The cells are given by infusion, and the study monitors for side effects and virus reduction.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2020
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 month to 79 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: .1.1 Patients with refractory BK infection post allogeneic HSCT, post solid organ transplantation or with primary immunodeficiencies with either * Increasing urine and/or plasma BK RT-PCR DNA (by 1 log) after 7 days or persistent quantitative qRT-PCR DNA copies after 14 days despite two weeks of appropriate anti-viral therapy AND/OR * Medical intolerance to anti-viral therapies including: * 2 renal toxicity with cidofovir or other \> grade 2 toxicities secondary to cidofovir And/or * known resistance to cidofovir 1.2. Consent: Written informed consent given (by patient or legal representative) prior to any study-related procedures. 1.3 Performance Status \> 30% (Lansky \< 16 yrs and Karnofsky \> 16 yrs) 1.4 Age: 0.1 to 79.99 years 1.5 Females of childbearing potential with a negative urine pregnancy test Exclusion: 1. Patient with acute GVHD \> grade 2 or extensive chronic GVHD at the time of BK CTL infusion 2. Patient receiving steroids (\>0.5 mg/kg prednisone equivalent) at the time of BK CTL infusion 3. Patient treated with donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) within 4 weeks prior to BK CTL infusion 4. Thymoglobulin (ATG) or Alemtuzumab within 30 days 5. Patient with poor performance status determined by Karnofsky (patients \>16 years) or Lansky (patients ≤16 years) score ≤30% 6. Concomitant enrollment in another experimental clinical trial investigating the treatment of refractory BK infection. 7. Any medical condition which could compromise participation in the study according to the investigator's assessment 8. Known HIV infection 9. Female patient of childbearing age who is pregnant or breast-feeding or not willing to use an effective method of birth control during study treatment. 10. Known hypersensitivity to iron dextran 11. Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol or unable to give informed consent. 12. Known human anti-mouse antibodies
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
7 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Johns Hopkins
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
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Medical College of Wisconsin
RECRUITINGMilwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
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Nationwide Children's Hosptial
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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New York Medical College
RECRUITINGVallhala, New York, 10595, United States
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University of California San Francisco
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94158, United States
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Washington University
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A simple blood test may spot severe bacterial infections faster in the ER
- Can cord blood t cells be trained to stop viral infections after transplant?
- Scientists compare immune responses to viral and bacterial infections in ICU patients
- Newborn blood spots may reveal hidden risks from common virus
- Banked immune cells show promise against Life-Threatening viruses in transplant patients
- Tiny study hunts for hidden genes behind immune failures