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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1INTERVENTIONAL

Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Pleural Effusions From Epithelial or Mesothelial Primary Tumors

Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Pleural Effusions From Epithelial or Mesothelial Primary Tumors: A Phase I Trial (FAST TILS 2)

Fast TILs to Treat Metastatic Pleural Effusions From Epithelial or Mesothelial Primary Tumors (NCT07443020) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Malignant Pleural Effusion and Malignant Mesothelioma, sponsored by Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute). 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

This research study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel immunotherapy, Fast TIL, an Adoptive Cellular Therapeutic (ACT), to fight cancer that has spread to the pleura or pleural mesothelioma. The ACT product is created at AHN West Penn using the participant's pleural infiltrating T-cells (PIT). It is administered through a pleural catheter along with the drug Interleukin-2 (IL-2). Based on previous research it is believed that it may help fight the tumor and relieve symptoms. As a participant, their pleural fluid will be collected and the PIT cells will be isolated and expanded in the lab to create the ACT product. Before receiving the ACT product through their pleural catheter, they will undergo outpatient lymphodepleting chemotherapy. LDC is a standard procedure for many approved immunotherapy treatments Following the infusion, they'll receive IL-2 through the catheter for two days to stimulate the expanded PIT cells. The active treatment phase lasts about three weeks, with follow-up visits over five years at AHN West Penn Hospital, potentially requiring a hospital stay of up to six days. Blood samples will be taken to monitor their response. As this is a first-in-human study, treatment carries an unknown risk up to and including death from toxicity. However, the risks of similar immunotherapy treatments are well documented.

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 Malignant Pleural Effusion, 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 10 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: 1. Patients with symptomatic, biopsy-proven malignant to the pleura, or mesothelioma with pleural effusions. Patients must have received and be refractory to available standard of care (SOC) therapy specific to their cancer type and must have exhausted or failed available standard of care with clinical benefit. 2. Patients will be ≥ 18 and \< 80 years of age. 3. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test and if sexually active must use an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence, a barrier method (diaphragm or condom), an injectable contraceptive (such as Depo-Provera), or an oral contraceptive. Active contraception should continue for at least 12 months after ACT administration. Male participants must be willing to practice birth control from the time of enrollment on this study and for 4 months after receiving the preparative regimen. 4. Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 0.45 by MUGA or echocardiography. 5. No requirement for supplemental oxygen and no dyspnea immediately after effusion drainage. 6. You should be able to carry out daily activities with 0 level of ability (ECOG 0) or 1. 7. Patients must have an expected survival \> 12 weeks. 8. Patients must be able to comprehend the risks and methods used in this clinical trial and independently consent to participate. 9. Patients must consent to collection of demographic and clinical data. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. Infection with HIV and active viral replication. Patients with an undetectable viral load on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) can be considered for participation on this protocol. 2. Infection with hepatitis B and active viral replication. 3. Infection with hepatitis C and active viral replication. 4. Patients currently being treated for bacterial, fungal or viral infection. ...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: 1. Patients with symptomatic, biopsy-proven malignant to the pleura, or mesothelioma with pleural effusions. Patients must have received and be refractory to available standard of care (SOC) therapy specific to their cancer type and must have exhausted or failed available standard of care with clinical benefit. 2. Patients will be ≥ 18 and \< 80 years of age. 3. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test and if sexually active must use an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence, a barrier method (diaphragm or condom), an injectable contraceptive (such as Depo-Provera), or an oral contraceptive. Active contraception should continue for at least 12 months after ACT administration. Male participants must be willing to practice birth control from the time of enrollment on this study and for 4 months after receiving the preparative regimen. 4. Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 0.45 by MUGA or echocardiography. 5. No requirement for supplemental oxygen and no dyspnea immediately after effusion drainage. 6. ECOG Performance Status 0 or 1. 7. Patients must have an expected survival \> 12 weeks. 8. Patients must be able to comprehend the risks and methods used in this clinical trial and independently consent to participate. 9. Patients must consent to collection of demographic and clinical data. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Infection with HIV and active viral replication. Patients with an undetectable viral load on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) can be considered for participation on this protocol. 2. Infection with hepatitis B and active viral replication. 3. Infection with hepatitis C and active viral replication. 4. Patients currently being treated for bacterial, fungal or viral infection. 5. Documented myocardial infarction within 6 months of study participation and/or symptomatic coronary artery or valvular disease or uncontrolled arrhythmia. 6. Investigational drug use within 30 days before effusion collection. 7. Cytotoxic anti-cancer or radiation therapy administration within 2 weeks of effusion collection. The exclusion does not apply to patients receiving monoclonal antibody therapy targeting immune checkpoint molecules. 8. Corticosteroid therapy \> 10 mg of prednisone (biological equivalent) daily within 2 weeks before effusion collection. 9. Immunosuppressive therapy that cannot be stopped for 4 weeks prior to effusion collection as deemed by the prescribing physician. 10. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant hematological, hepatobiliary, or renal disease: AST/SGOT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal ALT/SGPT \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal Total bilirubin \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal, unless patient has Gilbert Syndrome (\>3.0 times the upper limit of normal) Hemoglobin \< 8 gm/dL or dependent upon transfusion to maintain ≥ 8 gm/dL White blood cell count \< 2,000/mm3 Platelet count \< 100,000/mm3 or dependent upon transfusion to maintain ≥ 100,000 mm3 Creatinine \> 2.0 times the upper limit of normal or calculated creatinine clearance ≤ 40 mL/min. 11. Pregnant or lactating females. 12. Prior solid organ transplantation 13. Patients who, in the opinion of the Investigator, will be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures. 14. Patients who belong to a vulnerable population such as the homeless, the developmentally disabled and prisoners or have any condition that impairs their ability to provide informed consent or comply with study schedules or procedures. 15. Patients with documented anaphylaxis as a result of penicillin allergy.

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

locally manufactured adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) product

Single dose, intrapleural delivery (via indwelling pleural catheter) of adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) product derived from autologous pleural infiltrating T-cells.

DRUG

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

Low dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) will also be administered intrapleural at the dose of 20 milliliters (mL) at 1 x 10⁵ International Units (IU)/mL starting approximately 2 hours after ACT infusion and every 8 to 16 hours thereafter, as tolerated, for up to 4 doses (total 8 x 10⁶ IU).

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.

AHN West Penn Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07443020), the sponsor (Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute)), 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 NCT07443020 clinical trial studying?

This research study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel immunotherapy, Fast TIL, an Adoptive Cellular Therapeutic (ACT), to fight cancer that has spread to the pleura or pleural mesothelioma. The ACT product is created at AHN West Penn using the participant's pleural infiltrating T-cells (PIT). It is administered through a pleural catheter along with the drug Interleukin-2 (IL-2). Based on previous research it is believed that it may help fight the tumor and relieve symptoms. As a participant, their pleural fluid will be collected and the PIT cells will be isolated and ex… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT07443020?

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 NCT07443020?

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 NCT07443020. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07443020. 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 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.