Human Neural Progenitor Cells Secreting Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (CNS10-NPC-GDNF) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Study Purpose:

The investigator is examining the safety of transplanting cells that have been engineered to produce a growth factor into the spinal cord of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The cells are called neural progenitor cells, which are a type of stem cell that can become several different types of cells in the nervous system. These cells have been derived to specifically become astrocytes, which is a type of neuronal cell. The growth factor is called glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, or GDNF. GDNF is a protein that promotes the survival of many types of neuronal cells. Therefore, the cells are called "CNS10-NPC-GDNF." The investigational treatment has been tested in animals, but it has not yet been tested in people. In this study, we want to learn if CNS10-NPC-GDNF cells are safe to transplant into the spinal cords of people.

Disease:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),  Familial ALS,  Sporadic ALS

Study Type:

Interventional Trial

Study Category:

Stem Cell

Study Status:

Enrolling

Phase:

Phase I

Study Chair(s)/Principal Investigator(s):

Robert H. Baloh, MD, PhD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Clinicaltrials.gov ID (11 digit #):

NCT02943850

Neals Affiliated?

Yes

Coordinating Center Contact Information

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Peggy Allred / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / 310-423-1791
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Los Angeles, California 90048 United States

Full Study Summary:

This study will be the first to use a genetically modified progenitor cells to treat a neurodegenerative disease. This is a Phase 1/2a, single-center, blinded (as to side of injection), safety study of two escalating doses of human neural progenitor cells expressing GDNF (CNS10-NPC-GDNF) delivered unilaterally to the lumbar region in ALS subjects with moderate leg involvement.

Subjects meeting all Eligibility Criteria and providing Informed Consent will be enrolled in one of two sequential dosing groups. Subjects will be treated sequentially with a minimum of one month interval between surgeries for the first three subjects in each dosing cohort. The remaining subjects in the cohort will be treated with a minimum interval of at least two weeks between surgeries.

Specific aims:

Safety, as evaluated by:

Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events
Clinical laboratory assessments, as clinically indicated (hematology, chemistry, immunology)

Study Sponsor:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Participant Duration:

Estimated Enrollment:

18

Estimated Study Start Date:

01/01/2017

Estimated Study Completion Date:

04/01/2019

Posting Last Modified Date:

06/13/2017

Date Study Added to alsconsortium.org:

11/29/2016
  • More Information

    Primary Outcome Measures: Safety evaluated by Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events, post-operative MRI, and clinical laboratory assessments [ Time Frame: Patients will be followed postoperatively for 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Safety, as evaluated by: Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events Post-op MRI Clinical laboratory assessments, as clinically indicated (hematology, chemistry, immunology) Secondary Outcome Measures: Compound Motor Action Potential (CMAP) [ Time Frame: CMAP will be performed 7 times over 15 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Compound Motor Action Potential - CMAP (Tibialis anterior) Force Generation via ATLIS testing [ Time Frame: ATLIS testing will be performed 7 times over 15 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Lower extremity Force Generation via ATLIS testing Quantitative Muscle MRI [ Time Frame: Muscle MRI will be performed 6 times over 15 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Quantitative Muscle MRI of bilateral lower extremities Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) [ Time Frame: EIM will be performed 7 times over 15 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Lower Extremity Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) Assessment of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the cerebral spianl fluid (CSF) [ Time Frame: CSF will be collected at 3 time points over 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] Assessment of GDNF in the CSF

  • Eligibility Criteria

    Gender:

    Female, Male

    Minimum Age:

    18

    Maximum Age:

    N/A

    Min Vital Capacity (% predicted normal):

    60

    Time since Symptom Onset:

    Time since Diagnosis:

    Can participants use Riluzole?

    Yes


    Inclusion Criteria:

    Confirmed diagnosis of ALS (Lab-supported Probable, Probable or Definite EI Escorial Criteria)
    Duration of symptoms ≤ 36 months
    Progressive weakness in lower extremities, with EMG supported evidence of denervation in both lower extremities.
    Forced Vital Capacity >60% of predicted normal in supine.
    Male/Female; Age: 18 and older
    Able to provide Informed Consent
    Be geographically accessible to the study site and able to travel to study site for required visits
    Have caregiver to assist in the transportation and care required by participation in the study
    Not taking riluzole or on a stable dose for ≥ 30 days
    For women of child bearing capacity, negative pregnancy test prior to surgery
    Medically able to undergo thoracolumbar laminectomy or laminoplasty as determined by the site PI and Neurosurgeon
    Medically able to tolerate the immunosuppression regimen as determined by the site PI

    Exclusion Criteria:

    Using invasive ventilatory assistance
    Diagnosis of another active or unstable medical illness that may interfere with study participation at discretion of PI
    Presence of any of the following conditions:

    • Current drug or alcohol abuse
    • Any known immunodeficiency syndrome
    • Unstable medical condition
    • Unstable psychiatric illness including psychosis and untreated major depression within 90 days of screening

    Persons of child bearing capacity not willing to practice birth control
    Receiving any investigational device/biologic/drug in past 30 days or any previous exposure to stem cell therapy
    Any condition in the lower extremities which precludes serial strength testing
    Any condition that the Neurosurgeon feels may pose complications for the surgery
    Any condition or ALS disease phenotype that the site PI feels may interfere with participation in the study or in the interpretation of study endpoints

  • Site Contact Information

    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Peggy Allred / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / 310-423-1791
    Los Angeles, California 90048
    United States