Phase 1 8R-70CAR (CD70 CAR-T + CXCR2 “IL-8 receptor” trafficking) in brain metastases

This first-in-human Phase 1, single-center, open-label University of Florida study (IMPACT-MET) tests the safety and feasibility of ex vivo–expanded autologous T cells engineered to express a CD70-directed CAR plus the IL-8 receptor CXCR2 (“8R-70CAR”) in adults with CD70-positive brain metastases from solid tumors, including newly diagnosed lesions or recurrent/progressive disease after prior therapy. The CAR component targets CD70 on tumor cells for direct cytotoxicity, while CXCR2 is intended to improve homing into IL-8–rich CNS tumor microenvironments (i.e., chemokine-guided trafficking). Two dose levels are planned (1×10^7 cells/kg and 1×10^8 cells/kg), focusing on early safety signals and whether an autologous manufacturing workflow is workable in this population. The commercial/scientific angle is the “chemokine receptor–armored” CAR-T design aimed at a major barrier for solid-tumor CAR-T: getting enough cells into the tumor, especially behind/within CNS compartments. Today’s care for brain metastases is local therapy (stereotactic radiosurgery and/or surgery; sometimes whole-brain RT) plus systemic therapy chosen by the primary cancer (targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy), and this explores a biomarker-selected cellular therapy option for patients whose intracranial disease persists or recurs.