CARTUNE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CARTUNE: Phase I study of repeated intracerebroventricular administration of B7H3 targeting CAR-T cells in children and young adults with recurrent/refractory high grade CNS tumours
IRAS ID
1013403
Contact name
John Anderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN10621395
Research summary
Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours are abnormal growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. Treatment options include neurosurgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which work well for some patients. However, other patients either don’t respond to available treatments or the disease returns and there are no effective options in these cases.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are blood cells genetically engineered to recognise and kill tumour cells. Lasting responses have been achieved in leukaemia and CAR T products have been approved for use as part of standard treatment for some blood cancers. Early clinical trial data indicate the CAR T cells may also work in non-blood cancers. Currently there are no CAR T cells approved for CNS tumours.
We have developed CAR T cells that recognise a target called B7H3 on CNS tumour cells. CARTUNE aims to test whether giving these CAR T cells to patients with CNS tumours is safe and what dose to use.
We will collect T cells from the participants’ blood to make the CAR-T cells in a specialized laboratory. We will put a new gene into the T cells so they can recognise the B7H3 target and attack the tumour.
If not already present, participants will have a device called Ommaya Reservoir surgically placed under the skin of their scalp. This device will be used to administer the CAR T cells into the fluid around the brain and to monitor and treat the pressure inside the skull.
Within 7 days before the CAR-T cells infusion, participants will have tests to confirm they are still eligible for the infusion. If so, participants will receive the first CAR T cells infusion and will remain in hospital for at least 2 weeks for monitoring. If there are no safety concerns, participants may have up to 5 additional CAR T cells infusions approximately 1 month apart from each other.
After each infusion, patients will be monitored for safety, with tests including MRI scans, blood tests and measurement of the pressure inside the brain.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0113
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion