Genetically Engineered Cells (EGFRt/19-28z/IL-12 CAR T Cells) for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory CD19+ Hematologic Malignancies

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of genetically engineered cells called EGFRt/19-28z/IL-12 CAR T cells, and to see how they work in treating patients with hematologic malignancies that makes a protein called CD19 (CD19-positive) that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy is a type of treatment in which a patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell) are changed in the laboratory so they will attack cancer cells. T cells are taken from a patient's blood. Then the gene for a special receptor that binds to a certain protein on the patient's cancer cells is added to the T cells in the laboratory. The special receptor is called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Large numbers of the CAR T cells are grown in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion for treatment of certain cancers. To improve the effectiveness of the modified T cells and to help the immune system fight cancer cells better, the modified T cells given in this study will include a gene that makes the T cells produce a cytokine (a molecule involved in signaling within the immune system) called interleukin-12 (IL-12). The researchers think that IL-12 may improve the effectiveness of the modified T cells, and it may also strengthen the immune system to fight cancer. Giving EGFRt/19-28z/IL-12 CAR T cells may be safe and tolerable in treating patients with relapsed or refractory CD19+ hematologic malignancies.