Overview

This is an open label, phase I dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety of coronavirus-specific T cell (CST) therapy for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Participants will receive donor-derived CSTs for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection after HSCT (≥28 days and <4 months after HSCT).

In this dose escalation trial, three doses (1x107/m2, 2x107/m2, and 4x107/m2) will be tested for safety, with study arms for adult (≥18 years of age and <80 years) HSCT recipients (Arm

1. and pediatric (≥12 years of age and <18 years) HSCT recipients (Arm B), and defined dose escalations in each study arm. The study agent will be assessed for safety (stopping rules defined) and antiviral activity.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Participant Inclusion Criteria for CST Infusion:

        We will enroll participants who are ≥28 days and <4 months post allogeneic HSCT and are at
        risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
          1. For receipt of CSTs derived from an HSCT donor under Arm A:
             a. Patients aged ≥18 years and <80 years who were recipients of prior myeloablative or
             non-myeloablative allogeneic HSCT using either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem
             cells or single or double cord blood ≥28 days and <4 months ago who are at risk of
             SARS-CoV-2 infection..
          2. For receipt of CSTs derived from an HSCT donor under Arm B:
             a. Patients aged ≥12 years and <18 years who were recipients of prior myeloablative or
             non-myeloablative allogeneic HSCT using either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem
             cells or single or double cord blood ≥28 days and <4 months ago who are at risk of
             SARS-CoV-2 infection.
          3. Have evidence of primary engraftment following HSCT (defined by ANC ≥500/mm3 for three
             consecutive measurements on different days, respectively)
          4. Participants receiving steroids for treatment of GVHD or for other reasons, dosage
             must have been tapered to <0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone (or equivalent) at least 7 days
             prior to infusion.
          5. Karnofsky/Lansky score >70.
          6. ≥12 years to <80 years of age at enrollment.
          7. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥500/ul.
          8. Hemoglobin ≥8.0g/dl (level can be achieved with transfusion).
          9. Platelets ≥20 K/ul (level can be achieved with transfusion) *.
         10. Bilirubin ≤2x upper limit normal.
         11. Aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤2.5x upper limit of normal.
         12. Alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤2.5x upper limit of normal.
         13. Cystatin C with estimated GFR >60mL/min/1.73m2 (calculated via the CKD-EPI 2012
             equation).
         14. Pulse oximetry of ≥92% on room air for at least 7 days prior to infusion.
         15. Age appropriate mean arterial pressure without the use of vasopressors.
         16. Negative pregnancy test in female participant of childbearing age.
         17. Male and female participants of childbearing age must use highly effective birth
             control measures or practice abstinence for a minimum of 6 months after receiving
             study therapy.
         18. Written informed consent and/or signed assent line from participant, parent or
             guardian.
        Donor Inclusion Criteria:
          1. Donors for allogeneic (i.e. HLA matched or mismatched related or unrelated) stem cell
             transplants who have fulfilled eligibility as per FDA regulations outlined in 21 CFR
             1271 subpart C. This includes that donors have been deemed in good health by donor
             physician based on physical examination and laboratory testing. If a donor has been
             chosen for the transplant based on urgent medical need that same donor will also be
             used for CST generation provided that there are no new reasons for ineligibility since
             the stem cell collection.
          2. Donor or guardian of pediatric donor capable of providing informed consent.
          3. 2 to 80 years of age.
          4. Female donors of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test and not be
             lactating.
        Exclusion Criteria:
        Participants Exclusion Criteria for CST Infusion:
          1. Participants receiving biological or immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies targeting
             T cells within 28 days prior to CST infusion, including ATG, Alemtuzumab, Basiliximab,
             Tociluzimab, Brentuximab, or other medications under this category as determined by
             the investigators.
             a. If alemtuzumab has been received within 6 weeks prior to CST infusion, plasma
             levels should be obtained to ensure drug clearance (≤0.16 pg/ml).
          2. Participants who have received donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), chimeric antigen
             receptor T cell infusion, or other experimental cellular therapies within 28 days
             prior to CST infusion.
          3. Participants who have received ruxolitinib or other JAK inhibitors within 7 days prior
             to CST infusion.
          4. Participants with uncontrolled or progressing infections or active infections causing
             fever (temperature ≥38.1°C). Uncontrolled infections are defined as bacterial, fungal,
             or viral infections (including HIV and Hep B and C) with either clinical signs of
             worsening despite standard therapy that may be attributed to the uncontrolled
             infection. Progressing infection is defined as hemodynamic instability, worsening
             physical signs, or radiographic findings attributable to infection.
               1. For bacterial infections, participants must be receiving definitive therapy and
                  have no signs of progressing infection within 7 days prior to CST infusion.
               2. For fungal infections, participants must be receiving definitive systemic
                  anti-fungal therapy and have no signs of progressing infection within 7 days
                  prior to CST infusion.
          5. Participants with unexplained fever (temperature ≥38.1°C) within 7 days prior to CST
             infusion.
          6. Participants with evidence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection based on SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR
             positivity.
          7. Participants with fever (temperature ≥38.1°C) in the past 7 days.
          8. Participants with hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or mean arterial blood
             pressure <55 mmHg in participants <14 years of age or <60 mmHg in participants ≥14
             years of age).
          9. Participants with pulse pressure >40 mmHg.
         10. Participants with respiratory rate >20 breaths per minute.
         11. Participants with heart rate ≥120 beats per minute.
         12. Participants with uncontrolled hypertension as defined by systolic blood pressure
             >99th percentile for age (children <18 years), and systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg
             or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg (participants ≥18 years).
         13. Participants with metabolic instability.
         14. Pediatric participants with modified Ross heart failure Class II disease and adult
             participants with NYHA Class II disease.
         15. Participants with advanced pulmonary disease as defined by requirement for
             supplemental oxygen or positive pressure ventilation due to pulmonary disease. (This
             includes participants with active interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis,
             advanced pulmonary disease, a history of ILD/pneumonitis requiring treatment with
             systemic steroids or a baseline oxygen requirement).
         16. Participants with neurological or psychiatric disorders that would, in the opinion of
             the investigators, place them at increased risk of harm, impact the investigator's
             abilities to screen for adverse events in the subject, or impair the subject's ability
             to provide informed consent.
         17. Participants receiving checkpoint inhibitors within the previous 3 months prior to CST
             infusion, including nivolumimab, pembroluzimab, or other related medications.
         18. Participants with proven or suspected MIS (in both adults and children) based on the
             CDC definition and investigator judgement.
         19. Participants who are breastfeeding.
         20. Participants who have received live vaccines within 30 days, or any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
             in the past 28 days prior to enrollment.
         21. Participants with any other unrelated medical conditions that would impact the
             participant's safety in the opinions of the investigators.
         22. Participants anticipated to need a blood transfusion within 48 hours of CST infusion.
         23. Participants unwilling to utilize effective contraception during the study period (if
             applicable)
        Donor Exclusion Criteria:
          1. Donation of cells would pose a physical or psychological risk to the donor.
          2. Prior or current complicated course of COVID-19, including but not limited to MIS,
             CRS, or thromboembolic complications based on investigator judgement.