SURPASS-3: A trial looking at SPEAR T-Cell immunotherapy alone or in combination with Nivolumab to treat patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Who can take part

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

---

You may be able to take part in the trial if:

• you have recurrent high-grade serous or high-grade endometrioid ovarian cancer, including primary peritoneal and fallopian tube cancer
• your cancer is platinum-resistant (has come back or got worse within 6 months of last receiving a platinum-based chemotherapy)
• you have previously received treatment with bevacizumab (Avastin)
• your cancer cells have a specific molecule that the SPEAR T-cells need to help them recognize cancer cells (human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as well as the specific molecule that the SPEAR T-cells are designed to target(MAGE-A4 protein)
• are least 18 years old and no more than 75 years old 
• you have an archival tumour biopsy (a stored sample of tumour from a previous procedure) or are willing to have a new biopsy to look for the presence of the MAGE A4 protein
• you aren't pregnant or breastfeeding
• you aren't intolerant to nivolumab, and aren't receiving other therapy that acts in a similar way to nivolumab

This is not an exhaustive list. If you're interested in participating in a clinical trial, you should speak to your doctor about what other criteria might apply.

About the trial

The SURPASS-3 trial is testing a potential treatment called SPEAR T-cell immunotherapy alone and in combination with another therapy, called nivolumab, for ovarian cancer.

 Immunotherapy is a medical treatment that helps a person’s immune system fight diseases, such as cancer. SPEAR T-cell therapy is a type of investigational immunotherapy. 

Researchers in this trial are trying to find out: 

• how well the SPEAR T-cells alone or in combination with nivolumab work in attacking your cancer
• the side effects and the risks of treatment with SPEAR T-cells alone or in combination with nivolumab
• if the SPEAR T-cells alone or in combination with nivolumab improve the health of patients and what factors may influence tumour shrinkage 

The treatments involved in this trial are:

 1) Spear T-cell therapy

• T-cells are a type of white blood cell, and are an important part of the immune system
• The T-cells in our bodies look for and fight harmful substances, including cancer cells; however, cancer cells can find ways to hide from the T-cells
• SPEAR T-cell therapy aims to improve the ability of a person’s T-cells to find and kill cancer cells
• SPEAR T-cells are made using your own T-cells that have been changed in a laboratory.

2) Nivolumab

Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibiody that blocks a protein call PD-1. It works by stopping cancer cells from suppressing the immune system. In this trial it is being used with SPEAR T-cell therapy because:

• the cancer killing capacity of SPEAR T-cells depends on how many activated SPEAR T-cells you have in your body; the more the better. However if our bodies sense an imbalance in our immune system, such as too many T-cells, then signals are sent to stop the T-cells from becoming activated and from making more of themselves.
• Nivolumab is a therapy that blocks these signals from interfering with T-cells, thereby allowing SPEAR T-cell immunotherapy to continue working.

If you participate in this trial:

• you will have screening tests to make sure that the trial is suitable for you and that you meet the criteria to take part
• if you are suitable you will then go on to have leukapheresis (The removal of blood cells from the body by the withdrawal of blood). It will take a few hours at the hospital to collect your cells. These T-cells will be used to make the SPEAR T-cells
• your T-cells will be sent to the manufacturing site, where your SPEAR T-cells are made. This process takes about a month
• About 1 week before you receive your SPEAR T-cells, you will go to the hospital to receive chemotherapy. This is done to make room in your body for the new SPEAR T-cells
• You will receive your SPEAR T-cells at the hospital. They are given through an IV line (a drip into a vein). It is a one-time dose. Your trial doctor will decide how long you need to stay in the hospital for monitoring. For many patients it is about 1 week, but may be longer
• After you receive your SPEAR T-cells, you will see your trial doctor regularly for check-ups and to monitor the cancer
• Up to 30 patients will go on to receive nivolumab (480 mg) administered through an IV line every 4 weeks starting about 4 weeks after SPEAR T-cell infusion

This information was last reviewed on 07/02/2025. Please note that the status of clinical trials can change at short notice. You should always check with your clinical team which trials may be suitable for your situation.