Dr. Bilal Omer, MD
Claim this profileTexas Children's Hospital
Studies Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Studies Kidney Transplantation
4 reported clinical trials
4 drugs studied
Area of expertise
1Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
EBV positive
HLA
umbilical cord blood
2Kidney Transplantation
HLA
umbilical cord blood
HLA-A
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials Bilal Omer, MD is currently running
EBV-Specific T-Cell Therapy
for Lymphoma
This study is for patients that have a type of lymph gland disease called Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease which has come back or has not gone away after treatment, including the best treatment the investigators know for these diseases. Some patients with Lymphoma or T/NK-lymphoproliferative disease show signs of virus that is sometimes called Epstein Barr virus (EBV) that causes mononucleosis or glandular fever ("mono") before or at the time of their diagnosis. EBV is found in the cancer cells of up to half the patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, suggesting that plays a role in causing Lymphoma. The cancer cells (in lymphoma) and some immune system cells infected by EBV are able to hide from the body's immune system and escape destruction. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including cells infected with viruses and tumor cells. T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. T cells, that have been trained to kill EBV infected cells can survive in the blood and affect the tumor. The investigators have treated over 80 people on studies using T cells to target these diseases. About half of those patients who had disease at the time they got the cells had responses including some patients with complete responses. The investigators think that if T cells are able to last longer in the body, they may have a better chance of killing EBV and EBV infected tumor cells. Therefore, in this study the investigators will add a new gene to the EBV T cells that can cause the cells to live longer called C7R. The investigators know that T cells need substances called cytokines to survive and the cells may not get enough cytokines after infusion into the body. The investigators have added the gene C7R that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time. The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of C7R-EBV T cells, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and what affect they have on cancer.
Recruiting1 award Phase 112 criteria
CAR T Cell Therapy
for Brain Cancer
In this study, there are two treatment groups called Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Cohort 1 is for patients with diffuse midline glioma, high grade glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, medulloblastoma, or another rare brain cancer that expresses GD2. Cohort 2 is for patients with a type of cancer called progressive pontine diffuse midline glioma (DMG), high grade glioma or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma that expresses GD2. Because there is no standard treatment at this time, patients are asked to volunteer in a gene transfer research study using special immune cells called T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight infection. This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat cancer patients. They have shown promise but have not been strong enough to cure most patients. Researchers have found from previous research that they can put a new antibody gene into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. GD2 is a protein found on several different cancers. Researchers testing brain cancer cells found that many of these cancers also have GD2 on their surface. In a study for neuroblastoma in children, a gene called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) was made from an antibody that recognizes GD2. This gene was put into the patients own T cells and given back to 11 patients. The cells did grow for a while but started to disappear from the blood after 2 weeks. The researchers think that if T cells are able to last longer they may have a better chance of killing tumor cells. In this study, a new gene will be added to the GD2 T cells that can cause the cells to live longer. T cells need substances called cytokines to survive. The gene C7R has been added that gives the cells a constant supply of cytokine and helps them to survive for a longer period of time. In other studies using T cells researchers found that giving chemotherapy before the T cell infusion can improve the amount of time the T cells stay in the body and therefore the effect the T cells can have. This is called lymphodepletion and it will allow the T cells to expand and stay longer in the body and potentially kill cancer cells more effectively. After treating 11 patients, the largest safe dose of GD2-CAR T cells given in the vein (IV) was determined. Going forward, we will combine IV infusions with infusions directly into the brain through the Ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way. Patients will now be assigned to Cohort 1 and 2 based on their tumor type with different dose levels for each cohort. The GD2.C7R T cells are an investigational product not approved by the FDA. The purpose of this study is to combine infusions into the vein in the first treatment cycle with infusions directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain (intracerebroventricularly) through the ommaya reservoir or programmable VP shunt for the second infusion cycle and possibly additional infusions after that. The goal is to find the largest safe dose of GD2-C7R T cells that can be administered in this way, and additionally to evaluate how long they can be detected in the blood and CSF and what affect they have on brain cancer.
Recruiting1 award Phase 19 criteria
More about Bilal Omer, MD
Clinical Trial Related3 years of experience running clinical trials · Led 4 trials as a Principal Investigator · 2 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments Bilal Omer, MD has experience with
- Posoleucel (ALVR105,Viralym-M)
- (C7R)-GD2.CART Cells
- C7R-GD2.CART Cells
- C7R-EBV T Cells
Breakdown of trials Bilal Omer, MD has run
Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Kidney Transplantation
Acute Viral Infection
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to participate in a trial?
Almost all clinical trials will cover the cost of the ‘trial drug’ — so no insurance is required for this. For trials where this trial drug is given alongside an already-approved medication, there may be a cost (which your insurance would normally cover).
What does Bilal Omer, MD specialize in?
Bilal Omer, MD focuses on Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Kidney Transplantation. In particular, much of their work with Epstein-Barr Virus Infection has involved EBV positive patients, or patients who are HLA.
Is Bilal Omer, MD currently recruiting for clinical trials?
Yes, Bilal Omer, MD is currently recruiting for 2 clinical trials in Houston Texas. If you're interested in participating, you should apply.
Are there any treatments that Bilal Omer, MD has studied deeply?
Yes, Bilal Omer, MD has studied treatments such as Posoleucel (ALVR105,Viralym-M), (C7R)-GD2.CART cells, C7R-GD2.CART cells.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with Bilal Omer, MD?
Apply for one of the trials that Bilal Omer, MD is conducting.
What is the office address of Bilal Omer, MD?
The office of Bilal Omer, MD is located at: Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030 United States. This is the address for their practice at the Texas Children's Hospital.
Is there any support for travel costs?
The coverage of travel expenses can vary greatly between different clinical trials. Please see more financial detail in the trials you’re interested to apply.
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