Can engineered immune cells outsmart transplant-related cancer?
NCT ID NCT03131934
First seen Aug 07, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tests a new type of immunotherapy for people who develop a rare blood cancer called post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after a solid organ transplant. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells (T-cells) that are engineered to resist the effects of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant drug needed to prevent organ rejection. The goal is to see if these modified cells can safely fight the cancer while continuing to protect the transplanted organ. The trial compares the engineered cells to a control version to see which persists better in the body.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Autologous EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cells engineered to resist tacrolimus
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could offer a targeted cellular therapy for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, potentially reducing the need for harsh immunosuppression reduction and improving outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small phase 1 trial (only 4 participants), so safety and efficacy are far from proven. The engineered T-cells may not persist or control the disease, and there are risks of toxicity or graft rejection.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
4 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
May 2019
- Finished
-
Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
1 year to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. Adult and paediatric (age 1-70 years) solid organ transplant recipients with histologically proven B-lineage EBV+ post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) either de novo or resistant to Rituximab 2. EBV viraemia at enrolment 3. On immunosuppression with tacrolimus 4. Agreement to have a pregnancy test and use of contraception for duration of trial (if applicable) 5. Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Fulminant disease 2. Requirement for supplemental oxygen 3. Burkitt's lymphoma/Mature B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with IgH-Myc rearrangement 4. T-lineage PTLD 5. Bilirubin \> 3 x upper limit of normal 6. Creatinine \> 3 x upper limit of normal 7. Active hepatitis B, C or HIV infection 8. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding 9. ECOG performance score ≥ 4 10. Inability to tolerate leucapheresis
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Great Ormond Street Hospital
London, United Kingdom
-
King's College Hospital
London, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.