GD2 CAR-T trials for UK DIPG & DMG patients

THE CLINICAL TRIAL PROJECT

In partnership with the childhood cancer 'community,' we are appealing for help to support the first ever UK CAR T-cell therapy trial, potentially this will be available in 2022 (subject to approvals) for patients with H3K27+ altered diffuse midline tumours (DMGs)

Any help you can give could allow  12 child patients access to this innovative new therapy utilising the 'GD2' antigen cell target.
This therapy is showing clinical improvements and improved quality of life in some DIPG/DMG patients on trial at Stanford University in the US.
This opportunity crucially will give access for some UK patients, meaning those families will no longer even need to consider the possibility of fundraising huge sums to travel overseas at a time of great uncertainty.
They can stay at home surrounded by all the support networks available which is so important for parents and children. 

HOW MUCH?

We were asked before Christmas as already involved in the CAR T-cell program if we could help raise funds towards this  trial - the first step to get the funds to back this trial!
With support of our fellow fundraising groups in the DIPG/DMG community (who are all led by bereaved parents!), we  need YOUR help to raise these funds
As we all recover from the pandemic we know this is a tall ask, but children need us, with scientists to provide these opportunities!
As an affected community we cannot demand improvements and then not act when they become available for support.
Please SHARE even if you cannot donate at this time.

THE TEAM

 

In conjunction with the world-leading team of researchers involved in the UCL CAR T-cell programme (which encompasses UCL, UCLH and GOSH), there is extensive experience in delivering CAR T-cell studies and clinical experience managing patients.

We now urgently want to help support a 'Phase I Clinical Trial Study of GD2 CAR-T cells for Diffuse Midline Glioma'

 

Background and Rationale

 

• Childhood brain tumours that arise in the middle of the brain – referred to as Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMG/DIPG) are INCURABLE. All children with DMG succumb to disease usually within one year

• Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell technology ‘arms’ T-cells so that they recognise and seek out and destroy tumour cells. This is achieved by engineering the patient's own T-cells, already very effective at treating blood cancer.

• While CAR T-cells work well in leukaemia, solid cancers surround themselves with an environment that dampens down T-cell activity.

• The study will target GD2 highly expressed on virtually all DMG tumour cells. A clinical study at Stanford University has already treated 9 patients with GD2 CAR T-cells, resulting in clear clinical and radiological responses in some patients.

• Healthy tissue expresses GD2 at low levels, and ‘off target’ side effects have not accompanied CAR T-cell activity in patients with neuroblastoma and DMG. At Stanford, to date, inflammation at the pons has been successfully managed with prompt drainage of CSF via an Ommaya reservoir, other drugs and corticosteroids.

• The GD2 CAR vector incorporates a ‘suicide’ gene which can be activated if toxicity cannot be effectively managed.

 

 

 

This further trial could also start in 2022 meaning  that two different CAR T- cell therapy trial arms could be available...

Your donations are an opportunity to lay the foundations for these approaches in DMG/DIPG, that will go on to help children with these vicious incurable brain cancers in years to come.

Abbie's Army is proud to be co-funding the first use of CAR T-cell therapy in the UK for patients with DMG/DIPG brain tumours.
Commencing this Summer 2022 'Multi- modular IL13RA2 CAR T cell therapy for Diffuse Midline Glioma' - with your support, we have already pledged £477,016.58 but we now need to do even MORE!!!
https://www.abbiesarmy.co.uk/dipg-research/grant-awarded-car-t-uk-clinical-trial/ 

 

If the additional 'GD2' target clinical trial cannot go ahead, all funds raised will be retained to further DIPG/DMG research and ensure other clinical trial opportunities are made available in the UK.

 

More information about Abbies Army (Registered 1149400):

Each year 450 children are diagnosed with brain cancer.

DIPG is so deadly there is NO effective treatment or cure. Every 9 DAYS a UK family receives a DIPG diagnosis for their child.

We fund medical research to give hope to future DIPG families. YOU are hope....