Adaptimmune initiates Multiple Myeloma drug Phase I/II clinical trial

The dual site, two-cohort, open-label clinical trial is intended to assess the safety, bioactivity and anti tumor effect of infusion of patients’ own T cells that have been genetically modified to express a high affinity T cell receptor (TCR) specific for a type of tumor antigen (protein) known as a cancer testis antigen (CT antigen).

The aim of the current trial is to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of the T cell infusion by genetically redirecting the T cells to specifically recognize the patients’ tumor.

The clinical trial focuses to include patients who have received prior treatment for their myeloma and who are eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center Carl June said that this trial combines a series of technological advances in vector design, T cell manufacturing, and TCR engineering.