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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1INTERVENTIONAL

Phase 1 Study of Locoregional Injections of Ex Vivo Expanded Natural Killer Cells

Phase 1 Study of Locoregional Injections of Ex Vivo Expanded Natural Killer Cells in Children and Young Adults With Recurrent, Progressive, or Refractory Brain Tumors

Phase 1 Study of Locoregional Injections of Ex Vivo Expanded Natural Killer Cells (NCT04254419) is a Phase 1 interventional studying High Grade Glioma, sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Each patient will receive up to 12 cycles of TGFβi NK cell infusions. Each cycle will be of 4 weeks duration. During the first 3 weeks, TGFβi NK cells will be infused once weekly. The 4th week will be a rest week. TGFβi NK cell infusions should be delivered at least 3 days apart (e.g., Friday of Week 1 and Monday of Week 2). Dose will be escalated in an inter-patient stepwise fashion consisting of 3 dose levels.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For High Grade Glioma, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 18 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: Diagnosis: Recurrent, refractory, or progressive malignant CNS tumor - Patients with a diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis of a CNS tumor that is recurrent, progressive, or refractory with the exception of diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG). All tumors must have histologic verification at either the time of diagnosis or recurrence. - Patients should be deemed candidate for placement of an Ommaya reservoir placed intra-cavitary/intra-tumoral or a programable VP shunt. - Measurable residual tumor after surgery is not required for study entry. - Resection cavity needs to be at least 2 cm x 2 cm in two dimensions on imaging for patients deemed as candidates for an intratumoral infusion via an Ommaya reservoir. - Performance score: Lansky score of 50 or greater if ≤ 16 years of age or a Karnofsky score of 50 or greater if \> 16 years of age. Participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score. - Adequate bone marrow function, without transfusion or growth factors within 21 days of NK cell administration. - Adequate liver function - Adequate Renal Function - Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio - Patients of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception - Adequate neurologic function defined Prior Therapy: - Chemotherapy - All patients must have received their last dose of known myelosuppressive anticancer therapy at least 21 days prior to enrollment or at least 42 days of nitrosourea. - For patients who have received prior bevacizumab, at least 6 weeks must have elapsed prior to enrollment. - Biologic or investigational agent (anti-neoplastic, non-myelosuppressive): ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis: Recurrent, refractory, or progressive malignant CNS tumor * Patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of a CNS tumor that is recurrent, progressive, or refractory with the exception of diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG). All tumors must have histologic verification at either the time of diagnosis or recurrence. * Patients should be deemed candidate for placement of an Ommaya reservoir placed intra-cavitary/intra-tumoral or a programable VP shunt. * Measurable residual tumor after surgery is not required for study entry. * Resection cavity needs to be at least 2 cm x 2 cm in two dimensions on imaging for patients deemed as candidates for an intratumoral infusion via an Ommaya reservoir. * Performance score: Lansky score of 50 or greater if ≤ 16 years of age or a Karnofsky score of 50 or greater if \> 16 years of age. Participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score. * Adequate bone marrow function, without transfusion or growth factors within 21 days of NK cell administration. * Adequate liver function * Adequate Renal Function * Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio * Patients of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception * Adequate neurologic function defined Prior Therapy: * Chemotherapy * All patients must have received their last dose of known myelosuppressive anticancer therapy at least 21 days prior to enrollment or at least 42 days of nitrosourea. * For patients who have received prior bevacizumab, at least 6 weeks must have elapsed prior to enrollment. * Biologic or investigational agent (anti-neoplastic, non-myelosuppressive): * Patient must have recovered from any acute toxicity potentially related to the agent and received their last dose of the investigational or biologic agent ≥ 14 days prior to study enrollment. * For agents with known adverse events occurring beyond 14 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. * At least 12 weeks since the completion of any immunotherapies or cell therapies. * Radiation Therapy * Focal radiation therapy \> 6 weeks prior to enrollment. * Craniospinal irradiation \>12 weeks. * Stem Cell Transplant. Patient must be: * ≥ 6 months since allogeneic stem cell transplant prior to enrollment with no evidence of active graft vs. host disease. * ≥ 3 months since autologous stem cell transplant prior to enrollment. • Growth Factors * Patients must be off all colony- forming growth factor(s) for at least 1 week prior to enrollment (e.g., filgrastim, sargramostim or erythropoietin). * 2 weeks must have elapsed if patients received long-acting formulations. • Corticosteroids * Patients who are receiving dexamethasone must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least 1 week prior to enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with intra- or extra-CNS metastasis or multi-focal disease. * Patients with diffuse midline gliomas or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (primary or recurrent). * Pregnant or lactating patients. * Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents. * Evidence of active uncontrolled infection or unstable or severe intercurrent medical conditions. * Any medical condition that precludes surgery. * Patients with a known disorder that affects their immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or an auto- immune disorder requiring systemic cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy are not eligible. * Evidence of bleeding diathesis or use of anticoagulant medication or any medication which may increase the risk of bleeding. * Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are not eligible. * History or current diagnosis of any medical or psychological condition that in the Investigator's opinion, might interfere with the subject's ability to participate

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

NK cells

The universal donor TGFβi NK cells will be cryopreserved until they are delivered bedside for infusion. The trained staff will thaw the product by the bedside. The administration of the cells will be done via an Ommaya intra-cavitary/a programable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Once the infusion is ready for administration patients will be admitted to the infusion unit for monitoring. NK cells will be administered through the Ommaya/VP shunt in approximately 3 milliliters over approximately 2-5 minutes; followed by 1.5-2 milliliter preservative-free normal saline flush over approximately 1 minute.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04254419), the sponsor (Nationwide Children's Hospital), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04254419 clinical trial studying?

Each patient will receive up to 12 cycles of TGFβi NK cell infusions. Each cycle will be of 4 weeks duration. During the first 3 weeks, TGFβi NK cells will be infused once weekly. The 4th week will be a rest week. TGFβi NK cell infusions should be delivered at least 3 days apart (e.g., Friday of Week 1 and Monday of Week 2). Dose will be escalated in an inter-patient stepwise fashion consisting of 3 dose levels. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04254419?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04254419?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04254419. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04254419. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.