A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase Ib Study Evaluating the Safety and Toxicity of Recombinant Human IL-7 (NT-I7) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Following BCMA CAR-T Therapy (Cilta-cel)
CAR-T cell therapy is an emerging treatment modality in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). CAR-T therapy in MM relies on directing autologous T-cells to detect and clear myeloma cells expressing B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). While BCMA CAR-T cell-treated patients achieve an excellent overall response rate, their response is often not durable. NT-I7 promotes CAR-T cell expansion and efficacy in pre-clinical lymphoma models. In patients receiving CD19-directed CAR-T therapy for lymphoma, NT-I7 augmented CAR-T expansion while being safe and tolerable. The impact of NT-I7 on BCMA CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma is unknown. This is a two-stage, multicenter, phase IB study, with a dose escalation stage leading into a two-arm, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized dose expansion stage testing the safety and toxicity of adding NT-I7 to BCMA CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. The hypothesis is that NT-I7 will promote CAR-T expansion and persistence which will enhance clearance of MM, while maintaining a favorable safety and toxicity profile. Patients receiving standard of care BCMA CAR-T (cilta-cel) will be randomized to either NT-I7 or placebo. Correlative studies will evaluate CAR-T cell expansion, persistence, immune-phenotype, function and correlate with clinical outcomes.
• Diagnosis of multiple myeloma with measurable disease by IMWG criteria.
• Eligible for standard of care, FDA-approved BCMA CAR-T cell therapy with ciltacabtagene autoleucel.
‣ Patients enrolling in the dose escalation stage must have received at least two prior lines of treatment and be penta-drug exposed (i.e. exposure to at least 5 active anti-myeloma drugs, excluding corticosteroids and melphalan and including, at minimum, a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and a CD38 monoclonal antibody).
• Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks per assessment from the enrolling physician.
• At least 18 years of age.
• ECOG performance status ≤ 2
• Adequate organ function as defined below:
‣ Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x IULN
⁃ AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3.0 x IULN
⁃ Creatinine clearance \> 30 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault
• The effects of NT-I7 on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry until 90 days after completion of NT-I7 therapy/placebo (corresponding to Day 125 post CAR-T). Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study or should a man suspect he has fathered a child, s/he must inform her treating physician immediately.
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document. Legally authorized representatives may sign and give informed consent on behalf of study participants.