Gene Therapy for Brain Cancer

(ADePT Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location
AA
Overseen ByAtif Abbas, MD
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new gene therapy called TGX-007 for people with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. The goal is to determine its safety and effectiveness. TGX-007 uses a harmless virus to deliver two treatments: one targets cancer cells, and the other boosts the immune system to fight the cancer. The trial seeks participants who have recently been diagnosed with glioblastoma or whose cancer has returned, and who can undergo surgery and chemoradiotherapy. Participants will receive the gene therapy directly into the tumor and take an oral medication before standard surgery.

As a Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how TGX-007 works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use immunosuppressant or immune modulatory medicines within 28 days before starting the trial. It's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team.

Is there any evidence suggesting that TGX-007 is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that TGX-007, a gene therapy for brain cancer, remains in the early testing stages, providing limited information about its safety in humans. It uses an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver the therapy, a method generally considered safe and used in other gene therapies. In animal studies, TGX-007 demonstrated promising results, achieving a high cure rate in mice without major safety issues.

As the trial is in its early phases, researchers focus primarily on finding a safe dose and closely monitor for any side effects. Currently, detailed information about side effects in humans is unavailable. The treatment also includes valacyclovir, an approved drug that is usually well-tolerated.

Overall, while TGX-007 has shown promise in early research, the current trial will help determine its safety and tolerability for people with glioblastoma.12345

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for brain cancer?

Most treatments for brain cancer, like chemotherapy and radiation, work by targeting rapidly dividing cells but often damage healthy cells too. TGX-007 is unique because it uses gene therapy to deliver genetic material directly into tumor cells, aiming to kill cancer cells with more precision and fewer side effects. Researchers are excited about TGX-007 because it represents a targeted approach, potentially reducing harm to healthy tissues and improving outcomes for patients with high-grade gliomas and recurrent glioblastoma. By homing in on cancer cells specifically, this method could change the game in treating aggressive brain cancers.

What evidence suggests that TGX-007 might be an effective treatment for glioblastoma?

Research has shown that TGX-007, a gene therapy for brain cancer, could effectively treat glioblastoma. In studies with mice, 85% of those treated with TGX-007 were cured, while all untreated mice died within 50 days. This trial will explore TGX-007 in different contexts: a dose-finding phase and expansions for newly diagnosed high-grade glioma and recurrent glioblastoma patients. This treatment uses a safe virus to deliver two important components: one that converts a harmless substance into an active drug to kill tumor cells, and another that strengthens the immune system to fight the cancer. Although these results come from early research, they suggest TGX-007 may effectively target and destroy cancer cells while also boosting the body's natural defenses.12678

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-70 with high-grade glioma, either newly diagnosed and suitable for surgery and chemoradiotherapy or those experiencing their first recurrence after standard treatment. Participants must be able to take oral medication, avoid live vaccines, have good organ function, and women of childbearing age need a negative pregnancy test.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 70 years old.
I am mostly able to care for myself.
My organs are functioning well.
See 7 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Dose Finding

Phase I will treat patients at different dose levels of TGX-007 to identify the Optimal Biological Dose

4 weeks
Multiple visits for dose escalation

Treatment

Patients receive TGX-007 by direct intratumoural injection and take valacyclovir orally for up to 21 days

3 weeks
Weekly visits for monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

5 years
Regular follow-up visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • TGX-007

Trial Overview

The study tests TGX-007 gene therapy delivered via an AAV vector carrying HSV-tk to kill tumor cells and IL-12 to boost the immune response against tumors. It's given by injection into the tumor followed by valaciclovir pills. The trial has two phases: finding the best dose (Phase I) then testing its effectiveness (Phase II).

How Is the Trial Designed?

3

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Recurrent Glioblastoma ExpansionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group II: Newly Diagnosed ExpansionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group III: Dose FindingExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Trogenix ltd

Lead Sponsor

Citations

DDDR-48. An AAV-1 mediated dual-payload gene therapy for ...

85% of mice treated with TGX-007 were cured; all control mice died within 50 days. Treated mice were re-exposed to tumorigenic cells at 20 weeks ...

Gene Therapy for Brain Cancer (ADePT Trial)

The study tests TGX-007 gene therapy delivered via an AAV vector carrying HSV-tk to kill tumor cells and IL-12 to boost the immune response ...

2024 Achievements and 2025 Outlook

Lead Programme: Glioblastoma (GBM) – TGX-007. Curative preclinical results. Manufacturing milestone achieved. Ready to enter the clinic in 2025.

Blog: New trial for brain tumour patients to start in early 2026

Glioblastoma is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It is incredibly aggressive with a prognosis of just 12-18 months. This new ...

Viralgen collaborates with Trogenix to advance AAV gene ...

"Glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer, is a devastating disease with very poor prognosis and few treatment options for patients.

Viralgen collaborates with Trogenix to advance AAV gene ...

... TGX-007 is now advancing toward clinical evaluation, and, ultimately, to patients in need. “Glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer ...

Blog: New trial for brain tumour patients to start in early 2026

This pioneering treatment is initially being tested in glioblastoma, with the aim of a clinical trial opening in early 2026. It is hoped that ...

BTR-NTA Non-confidential summaries

of their therapies, TGX-007, reviewed by the BTR-NTA Committee. TGX-007 is a viral immunotherapy technology that uses synthetic super enhancers to control ...