HPV-16/18 E6/E7-Specific T Lymphocytes, Relapsed HPV-Associated Cancers, HESTIA

HPV is found in the cancer cells of more than half the patients with certain types of cancer, suggesting that it may play a role in causing the cancer. The virus makes proteins in the tumor cells that should allow the diseased cells to be recognized and killed by a part of the body's own immune system called T cells. Unfortunately, tumors are able to avoid being killed by making molecules that turn off these T cells. So, the cancer cells infected by HPV are able to hide from the body's immune system and escape destruction.

The investigators have previously studied cancers caused by a different virus, called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These EBV-cancers are like HPV-cancers, since they turn off the T cells that would otherwise destroy them, and so can keep growing. They investigators have found, however, that if they removed the T cells from the blood of patients with EBV-cancers and grew them outside the body, they could increase the number and the activity of T cells directed against the tumors. When these T cells were given back to the patients, the T cells eliminated the cancers in over half the recipients. Investigators also found that they could engineer the T cells to be even more active against the EBV-cancer cells by making them resist an inhibitory chemical called TGF-beta, which is produced by these cancer cells.

Investigators will collect up to 390 mL of blood. Then they will use this blood to grow T cells. First they will grow them in a special type of cell called a dendritic cell, which stimulates the T cells. These dendritic cells will then be loaded with bits of proteins from the HPV virus called E6 and E7. These dendritic cells will be used to stimulate T cells. This stimulation trains the T cells to kill cells with the HPV proteins E6 and E7 on their surface. Next, the investigators will grow these HPV-specific T cells by more stimulation with dendritic cells and HPV proteins, and, when needed, a special type of cell called K562. These K562 cells were treated with radiation so they cannot grow.

To make these T cells resistant to the TGF-beta released by the tumor, investigators will put a new gene in them in the laboratory called a mutant TGF-beta receptor. In cells with this new gene, TGF-beta released by the tumor cells will not be able to bind to the mutant TGF-beta receptor on the T cell. Investigators hope this will improve the chances that after the T cells are injected they will be able to keep working and kill the tumor cells. This gene is added to the cells using a mouse retrovirus that has been changed to stop it from causing infections. Retroviruses enter the cell's DNA (genetic material) to make permanent changes to the cell. After making these cells, they will be frozen.

For treatment, the cells will be thawed and injected in a vein over 1 to 10 minutes. Initially, one dose of T cells will be given (which is considered day 0).

If, after the 1st infusion, there is a reduction in the size of the subject's cancer (or no increase) on CT or MRI scans as assessed by a radiologist, the subject can receive additional doses if it would be to his/her benefit, if s/he would like to receive more doses, and if there is enough product remaining to give any additional injections (at the same or a lower dose).

If treatment with HPVST cells alone proves safe, additional group of patients (Group B) will receive HPVST cells with nivolumab in lymphodepleted environment. One dose of the drug nivolumab is given one day before the HPVST cells are infused and then every 2 weeks for a total of four doses of nivolumab. Lymphodepletion will be given daily starting day -4 prior to administration of HPVSTs.

This is a dose escalation study. The dose the patient will get will depend on how many participants get the agent beforehand and how they react.

Investigators will follow the patient during and after the injections at predetermined time points which may require blood draws and other examinations.

Inclusion criteria

PROCUREMENT

• Diagnosis of a cancer for which the presence of a high risk HPV type has been documented in a biopsy sample
• Cancer is:

• recurrent or persistent after standard therapy
• OR patient is unable to receive standard therapy
• Karnofsky score ≥ 50%
• Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given copy of informed consent

TREATMENT

• Diagnosis of a cancer for which the presence of a high risk HPV type has been documented in a biopsy sample
• Cancer is:

• recurrent or persistent after standard therapy
• OR patient is unable to receive standard therapy
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 weeks.
• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Karnofsky score ≥ 50%
• Bilirubin < 3 × upper limit of normal (ULN), AST < 5 × ULN, Hgb ≥ 7.0 g/dL
• Pulse oximetry of > 90% on room air.
• GFR > 30 mL/min calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD study, or CKD-EPI creatinine equations, or equivalent.
• ANC > 1.0/μL
• Platelets > 75,000/μL
• Informed consent explained to, understood by and signed by patient/guardian. Patient/guardian given copy of informed consent
• Sexually active patients must be willing to utilize one of the more effective birth control methods during the study and for 6 months after the study is concluded. The male partner should use a condom.

Exclusion criteria

PROCUREMENT

• Known HIV positivity.

TREATMENT

• Currently receiving any investigational agents or have received any tumor vaccines or T cell antibodies within previous 4 weeks.
• Severe intercurrent infection.
• Pregnancy or lactation.