ALS20-101 Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Beta Thalassemia

Last updated: April 22, 2025
Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1/2

Condition

Thalassemia

Treatment

ALS20

Clinical Study ID

NCT06364774
22-020309
  • Ages 18-35
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The main goal of this study is to find out if the blood disorder called transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia can be safely treated by modifying blood stem cells. This is done by collecting blood stem cells from the subject, modifying those cells, adding a healthy beta globin gene, and then giving them back to the subject. It is hoped that these modified cells will decrease the need for blood transfusions. The gene modified blood stem cells are called CHOP-ALS20 ("study drug"). This experimental gene therapy has not been tried on human beings before and is not FDA approved.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 18 to 35 years at the time of consent

  2. Diagnosis of transfusion dependent beta thalassemia (β0 β0, β+β0, β+β+, βEβ0, βEβ+,β0 or β+ /βA + alpha triplication(s)). Transfusion-dependent is defined as ahistory of receiving at least 120 mL/kg/year packed red blood cells or at least 8transfusions per year in the past two years. The first 2 subjects enrolled must havea non- β0 β0 genotype.

  3. Genetic confirmation of α and β thalassemia diagnosis (β0β0, β+β0, β+β+, βEβ0, Eβ+dominant β-thalassemia) by a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)certified laboratory is required.

  4. Clinically stable, Karnofsky score 70, and eligible to undergo Hematopoietic StemCell Transplantation (HSCT).

  5. Female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to use acceptable method(s) ofcontraception from consent through at least 6 months after CHOP-ALS20 infusion

  6. Male subjects of reproductive capacity must agree to use effective contraceptionfrom start of mobilization through at least 6 months after CHOP-ALS20 infusion

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Prior receipt of HSCT or gene therapy

  2. An available Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-matched family donor

  3. More than one alpha globin gene deletions/mutations.

  4. Any prior or current malignancy (excluding adequately treated basal or squamous cellcarcinoma of the skin)

  5. Known cancer predisposition syndrome

  6. Positive for HIV-1, HIV-2, Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus-1,2 (HTLV-1, HTLV-2) oractive hepatitis B or active hepatitis C infection

  7. Clinically significant active bacterial, viral (including COVID-19 and influenza),fungal, or parasitic infection (temporary exclusion)

  8. Clinically significant bleeding disorder

  9. Evidence of cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction <50% orshortening fraction <27%) or clinically significant arrhythmia

  10. Evidence of advanced liver disease (ALT >5x the upper limit of normal (ULN),prothrombin time >1.5 x ULN, direct bilirubin > 3x ULN) not attributable to ironchelation therapy, or evidence of bridging fibrosis on liver biopsy or fibrosisstage of F3 or higher by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) if obtained as partof clinical care

  11. Liver R2 or R2 MRI or liver biopsy with liver iron concentration 15 mg/g dw (temporary exclusion)

  12. Diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLco) <50% of predicted (corrected for Hb)

  13. Pulse oximetry in room air <92%

  14. Evidence of renal dysfunction (creatinine >1.5x ULN or Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) <70 ml/min/1.73 m2 based on cystatin C/creatinine equation)

  15. Cardiac T2 MRI < 10 ms

  16. Platelet count <100,000/mcL or absolute neutrophil count <1000/mcL except ifattributed to benign ethnic neutropenia

  17. Unable to receive red cell transfusion (significant allo/auto immunization)

  18. Uncontrolled systemic hypertension

  19. Uncontrolled seizure disorder

  20. Diagnosis of a significant psychiatric disorder that could seriously impede theability to participate in the study

  21. Immediate family member with a known or suspected Familial Cancer Syndrome

  22. Contraindication to anesthesia

  23. For female subjects, pregnancy or breastfeeding

  24. Participation in another clinical trial of an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 drug half-lives, whichever is longer, of screening (temporary exclusion)

  25. Any other condition that would render the subject ineligible formobilization/apheresis and/or HSCT as determined by the investigator

Study Design

Total Participants: 12
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: ALS20
Phase: 1/2
Study Start date:
April 14, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2027

Study Description

Beta thalassemia major is a hereditary blood disorder that requires lifelong regular transfusions and is associated with significant morbidity, early mortality, and decreased quality of life. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is potentially curative but limited availability of suitable donors as well as risks of graft versus host disease limit its applicability. Gene addition of a functional beta globin gene may be an alternative treatment option.

The primary objective is to assess the safety of treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cells transduced with a novel lentiviral vector (ALS20) in subjects 18 to 35 years old with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia.

The secondary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cells transduced with a novel lentiviral vector (ALS20) in subjects 18 to 35 years old with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia.

Study Design: This is a single arm pilot, phase 1/2 study of up to 12 subjects ages 18 to 35 years who have transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (genotypes β0β0, β+β0, β+β+, βEβ0, βEβ+, dominant β thalassemia). The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of infusing autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) transduced with the novel lentiviral vector ALS20 that encodes the human βA-T87Q-globin, following myeloablative conditioning with busulfan.

The main risks of this study involve risks of the genetic modification of the stem cells and the busulfan chemotherapy conditioning. Genetic modification of blood stem cells may increase the risk of blood cancer. The main risks of busulfan conditioning include prolonged low blood counts, liver injury, infertility, and cancer. There also is a risk of failure of the modified blood stem cells to grow.

Connect with a study center

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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