Disclaimer: This document is intended exclusively for RGCC practitioners as an informational resource and guide to support the understanding and application of therapy protocols. It is not intended for use as medical advice for patients, nor should it be shared directly with patients or used as a substitute for individualized patient care. Please assess each patient’s unique health needs and circumstances independently.
Unauthorized distribution to patients is prohibited and can result in immediate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal from the RGCC network.
General Info
Brief Description
Clavic-Q-RE is a product that is developed for Autologous Adoptive Cellular Therapy. It is a minimally manipulated cellular therapy. It consists of the basic players of innate and adaptive immunity. These are patient’s own monocytes that have been isolated, and intravenously infused to the patient whose cells were used to isolate these cells, autologous natural killer (NK) cells that are isolated from whole blood dendritic cells that are already activated in vivo against tumour peptides that are recognised by MHC-II or MHC-I and expressed in patient’s sample, cytotoxic T lymphocytes that have been activated in vivo against specific tumour antigens that is recognised by MHC-I and differentiated plasma cells, in vivo activated against specific tumour antigens expressed in patient’s sample
Way of Function
Macrophages and Natural Killer cells can recognize and kill foreign pathogens and cancer cells. Macrophages are phagocytic cells and Natural Killer cells that can eliminate cancer cells in an MHC- independent manner. Cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs) are activated against specific antigens by dendritic cells and can target and kill cancer cells expressing the specific antigen. Antibodies produced by plasma cells, tag cancer cells and help their recognition by phagocytes or complement proteins leading to their subsequent destruction. RGCC’s laboratories use a patient’s isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a source for Clavic-Q-RE. Dendritic cells, macrophages, natural Killer cells, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and plasma cells which have been activated by the patient’s autologous antigens are selected and isolated. Clavic-Q-RE is composed of three doses, containing innate immune cells (macrophages and Natural Killer cells) and adaptive immune cells (Dendritic cells, CTLs and plasma cells).
Inclusion – Exclusion Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Cancer patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies
Cancer patients staged at minimum of grade 2B
Patients for whom all other options have been exhausted as long as the disease is stable, and the patient is not on any chemotherapy or radiation therapy concurrently.
Exclusion Criteria
Cancer patients with CNS cancer
Cancer patients < 18 years old
Patients under Gamma Delta T Cell Therapy (GDTC)
Patients under treatment with Radioactive Seeds
Patients with Active Autoimmune Disease (ie Lupus, RA, Hashimoto's, Crohns, etc or clear indicator such as a high CRP and at least one positive autoimmune marker)
Contraindications/disqualifications
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Recent blood transfusion – must wait 120 days
Recent cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy – must wait 21 days
Children under the age of 18 years old
Immune Suppression Medication – the patient must wait at least 14 days
Cachexia
Active infections – (includes active Lyme and coinfections)
Indicators:
WBC >10,000
Lymph > 20%
CRP >5.0
ANC <500 (indicator of immune insufficiency)
NLR - high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio of 3-1 or higher
High inflammation:
Indicators:
CRP>5.0
Sed Rate >20 mm
AGP- a1-acid glycoprotein >110
Hemoglobin <8.5
Tregs (CD25 + CTLA4) are present on the pre-Immune Frame (should be under 5%)
High TNF-a on the pre–Immune Frame (should be under 5%)
Pre-requirements
Medication/Clinical Condition
The patient must be off ALL cytotoxic and free radical producing therapies. If drawing for cellular therapies, the patient must be off ALL immunosuppressive therapies as well.
Blood Transfusions: at least 120 days
CDK Inhibitors: for at least 14 days
Chelation Therapy (IV): Avoid at least 14 days
Chemotherapy (non-platinum derivative): at least 14 days
Chemotherapy (platinum derivative): at least 21 days
Cryoablation: at least 7 days
Fever: at least 14 days
Gamma Delta T Cell Therapy (GDTC): Patients are not eligible for therapies due to the potential interaction with RGCC therapies.
Hormone suppression: at least 14 days (½ life x 7 is ideal formula for avoidance)
Hyperbaric Therapy: at least 7 days
Hyperthermia (generalized/systemic): no waiting
Hyperthermia (local/concentrated/microwave ablation): at least 30 days due to increased cellular debris released into the bloodstream
Immune Suppression Medication: (All pre-Cellular Therapies – Clavic-Q-RE, Vaccine Prep, Dendritic Cells, DendroCov): at least 14 days
Methylene Blue: at least 14 days
Mistletoe: Avoid for at least 14 days (can beneficial after therapy administration)
MOAB or SMW drugs: for at least 14 days
Natural Substances (IV): cytotoxic substances like Vitamin C or Ozone at least 14 days
Natural Substances (oral supplements): Class 1 or 3 cytotoxic substances (per patient’s Onconomics Plus results) at least 14 days.
NK1 Inhibitors: for at least 14 days
NSAIDS: Do not have to be discontinued
Off Label Medications: Ivermectin-FenBen-Itraconazole 14 days
Off Label medication: Doxycycline: 7 days
Off Label Medication: Metformin: 21 days
PEMF Therapy: at least 7 days
Plasmapheresis: Potential risk but not studied. Use your own discretion.
Radiation: at least 14 days
Radioactive Seeds: Patients are not eligible for therapies due to the prolonged and undetermined time of the radiation exposure
Scans with Contrast: at least 14 days
Surgery (brain or extensive): minimum of 30 days based on time of recovery. Could be longer if slow recovery or if the person had some type of adverse reaction. Must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Surgery (simple/routine): at least 7-10 days
Pre-Test Requirements-
Immune Frame (initial/baseline immune status) - not included in package
Oncotrace (Baseline CTC) – not included in package
It is highly recommended to evaluate the baseline Oncotrace and the initial Immune Frame prior to ordering the therapy to verify the patient’s eligibility. 30 ml of blood (1 vial) is sufficient for both tests if ordered at the same time.
What not to avoid pre administration
Checkpoint inhibitors (can be beneficial)
Mild Hyperthermia (Infrared Sauna)
Q-REstrain therapy (can be beneficial if given at least 14 days prior)
Ordering/Manufacturing
Blood-Draw
Initial Immune Frame (Baseline test) (Draw 15 ml of blood)
Oncotrace (initial CTC – baseline test) (Draw 15 ml of blood)
Dose 1, 2 and 3 of Clavic-Q-RE (Draw 120-140 ml of blood)
Follow up Immune Frame (Draw 15 ml of blood)
Follow up Oncotrace (Draw 15 ml of blood)
If ordering the Oncotrace, Immune Frame and all the three doses of the therapy at the same time then 150 ml of blood (5 vials) will be sufficient.
Booster Dose (Draw 120-140 ml of blood)
Order Includes
Package Includes:
All three doses of the Clavic-Q-RE Therapy
*One booster dose, when necessary
2 Follow up Immune Frames – Day 120 and Day 210*
2 Follow up Oncotrace Tests – Day 120 and Day 210*
Whether a booster is administered, then the follow up of Day 210, is not performed and indeed, a follow up 90-days post booster administration is offered in the package
Package DOES NOT include:
Initial (baseline) Immune Frame and Oncotrace tests
Additional follow up Immune Frames (past the Day 120 and Day 210 ones)
Preparation-Administration
Timeline
Timeline is: one dose every two weeks for three total doses and two sets of follow up tests:
Pre-tests are drawn and ordered: (Oncotrace and Immune Frame)
Therapy is ordered and blood is drawn: (The time frame from initial order to receipt of the therapy is approx. 21 days)
Day 0 – 1st dose administered (Macrophages and NK cells)
Day 15 – 2nd dose administered (APCs, CTLs and plasma cells) - 2 weeks after Dose 1
Day 30 – 3rd dose administered (APCs, CTLs and plasma cells or Macrophages and NK cells or a mixture of what the patient needs as determined by RGCC)
Day 120 – Mandatory Follow up Immune Frame and Oncotrace - Included in package
Day 210 – Mandatory Follow up Immune Frame and Oncotrace - Included in package
* On Day 120 Follow Up evaluation-Whether the results are not appropriate, blood draw is required for the booster dose. In this case a new blood draw is required and the last follow up (Immune Frame and Oncotrace) which is Included in package is performed 90 days after the booster dose administration. In this case, no Day 210 follow up is offered in the package.
It is recommended to follow the recommended administration schedule to ensure that the patient receives the highest viability/effect.
Both doctors and patients need to schedule the administration of all three doses in advance to receive dose one (1) in order to avoid any delays with the additional two doses that will be upcoming.
Should there be an unexpected delay, the therapy can be requested to be shipped and administered up to several weeks later without loss of efficacy. Be sure to ask the lab if this is the case with your particular patient. If the therapy has already shipped this option is no longer available.
If the administration schedule was altered at all, then the follow up tests at day 120* are calculated at 90 days after Dose three (3) and then another 90 days after that for day 210* follow up tests.
If a booster is given based on day 120 results, the day 210 follow up tests will move to 90 days post booster administration. All additional follow ups will be paid for out of pocket.
Vial Control
Upon receipt of the vial, you will need to cross reference the number on the container to your patient’s name. There will not be a name on the actual therapy container, so this is important.
Upon receipt of the therapy do your QC inspection. The cells are suspended in solution and are ready for administration. The solution should be colorless without any sign of precipitation.
If not infused immediately, then place in the refrigerator (do not freeze). In case of any color changes or any precipitation DO NOT ADMINISTER. Immediately notify tour local branch/distributor.
When ready to infuse, take the patient’s Clavic-Q-RE therapy vial out of the refrigerator and allow it to come up to ambient room temperature while the premeds are being given.
Premedication
PRE-MEDS: Administer pre-medications prior to each dose of the THERAPY.
Mandatory: 4 mg dexamethasone I.V. in a 20-50 ml rapid drip saline solution or slow bolus push. For Doses 2 and 3 only. Do not use with Dose 1.
Optional but highly recommended: IV H2 inhibitors: (Famotidine, Cimetidine, Nizatidine) – given at least 60 min before IV. The reason for the H2 blocker is to decrease any chance of headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is rare but very unsettling if it happens.
Optional: Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), PO 500 mg, three times per day for three days (start an hour before the application) in order to counteract the headache that could develop.
Administration 1st Dose
DO NOT administer pre-meds – it can compromise immune reaction
Prepare 250-500 ml IV saline bag
Remove the security tape carefully, remove cap, wipe the stopper with a sterile alcohol swab.
Leave the bottle in an upright position to remove the sample, REASON: (the inside rims on rubber seal can sometimes cause cells to stick)
Use a 10 ml syringe with a 21-gauge 2-inch needle and very slowly remove the 6ml of cells
Administer the cells via a slow IV push. Remember to be slow and gentle
Immediately following the IV push start the 250-500 ml saline bag over a 30–60-minute rapid drip
This drip should not cause any pain or discomfort to the patient. In some cases, during the IV or shortly thereafter, the patient may begin to experience a slight fever, slight headache, or chills. This is generally a good thing but monitor the patient while in your office and instruct them to call you if the fever rises over 39 C degrees over the next several days.
Administration 2nd – 3rd Dose
Start with a 250 – 500 ml bag of saline
Start the IV line with Catheter to the patient
You can give the IV form of any H2 inhibitors: Cimetidine, Nizatidine, or Famotidine-give at least 45-60 minutes before the IV. If giving the medications orally, it needs to be given 6 hours before the IV.
Ready 4 mg dexamethasone I.V. in a 20-50 ml rapid drip saline solution or very slow bolus push
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), PO 500 mg starting an hour before administration and up to three times per day for up to three days after administration to help counteract the headache that could develop.
Use a 10 ml syringe with a 21-gauge 2-inch needle and very slowly remove the 6ml of cells
Administer the cells via a slow IV push. Remember to be slow and gentle
Immediately following the IV push start the 250-500 ml saline bag over a 30–60-minute rapid drip
Post Administration
Potential Side Effects
Flu-like symptoms
Fatigue
Fever
Injection site reaction (skin rash)
Urticaria (hives)
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) with large volume of tumors or in highly vasculated tumors (ie lung)
Pain, swelling and inflammation at tumor site
What to avoid post administration
In order to allow the memory cells to fully develop it is best that patients stay off ALL cytotoxic, or free radical producing, and immunosuppressive therapies 120 days after the administration of the therapy.
If 120 days is not possible due to advanced state of disease, the patient is able to resume:
IV Vitamin C after 7 days
Mistletoe after 14 days
PEMF after 7 days
Rife after 7 days
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy after 14 days
Ozone after 14 days
**Other treatments or therapies after 21 days including cytotoxic therapies and off label medications
Note: Other substances must be evaluated on their half-life. The formula is ½ life span x 7 to determine the time required to be off the substance.
What not to avoid post administration
Checkpoint inhibitors (can be beneficial)
Mild Hyperthermia (Infrared Sauna)
Q-REstrain therapy (can be beneficial if given at least 14 days prior)
Follow Up/ General Info
Follow Up
Mandatory Follow up Testing: Day 120 (90 days from Dose 3)
Mandatory Follow up Testing Day 210 (180 days from Dose 3 or 90 days from Day 120 testing or 90 days from Booster dose)
Immune Frame for verification of immune response
Oncotrace for the follow up cell (CTC) count
It is highly recommended to run a follow-up Immune Frame test every 6 months for at least 2 years to monitor CD80, CD86 and CD28 levels to determine if a booster becomes necessary. These tests are optional and not included in the original therapy package.
The Day 120 and Day 210* ( or post booster follow up) follow up tests are not ordered in the doctor’s portal
These are ordered via a “letterhead order”
Simply write on your clinic’s letterhead the patient's name and that you are ordering the Oncotrace and Immune Frame for the specific follow up (ie; Clavic-Q-RE Therapy - Day 120)
Include the letterhead order with the patient’s blood sample.
Outcome
Overall, preliminary results based on statistical analysis of CTCs and immune status, as well as on clinical evaluation and Karnofsky Index, indicate that there is an up-regulation of immunity. According to the ELISA analysis the activation of the humoral immunity is based on overproduction of relevant factors like CD80 and CD86.
Sample Day 120 – Expected results:
T&B cells should be steadily present
CD 80 should be over 10%
CD 86 should be over 10%
CD 28 – B & T line should be above 0 (even barely is ok)
If memory cells are not well established on Day 120 then a booster should be administered.
Sample Day 210 (long term immunity is established) – Expected results:
T&B cells (central) should be steadily present and
CD 80 and CD 86 should be over 20%
CD 28 on B and T lineage should be above 10%
If memory cells are not well established on Day 210 then a 2nd round of Clavic-Q-RE is recommended (not included in the package).
Booster Determination
Whether the patient will need a booster or a repeat of the Clavic-Q-RE will ultimately be decided by the scientists at the lab.
Patients are eligible for one single booster per paid round of the therapy.
A booster request must be submitted within 60 days of the Day 120 Immune Frame results posting.
A booster is no longer being offered after Day 120 results.
Once a booster is given, the follow up of Day 210 is not offered, indeed, a follow up after 90 days of the booster will be performed and included in the package price.
Clavic-Q-RE and Children
Clavic-Q-RE has not been evaluated in children and is not recommended. They have an immature immune system and we do not know the effect of the immune system and development of self- tolerance. Additionally, children have an active thymus gland, and their immune system is under development.
References
Weerkamp F, de Haas EF, Naber BA, Comans-Bitter WM, Bogers AJ, van Dongen JJ, Staal FJ. Age-related changes in the cellular composition of the thymus in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Apr;115(4):834-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.10.031. PMID: 15806007.
Panaro A, Amati A, di Loreto M, Felle R, Ferrante M, Papadia AM, Porfido N, Gambatesa V, Dell'Osso A, Lucivero G. Lymphocyte subpopulations in pediatric age. Definition of reference values by flow cytometry. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 1991 May- Jun;19(3):109-12. PMID: 1799167.
Bertho JM, Demarquay C, Moulian N, Van Der Meeren A, Berrih-Aknin S, Gourmelon P. Phenotypic and immunohistological analyses of the human adult thymus: evidence for an active thymus during adult life. Cell Immunol. 1997 Jul 10;179(1):30-40. doi: 10.1006/cimm.1997.1148. PMID: 9259769.
Parsonidis P, Beis G, Iliopoulos AC, Papasotiriou I. Adoptive transfer of activated immune cells against solid tumors: A preliminary study. Cell Immunol. 2022 Dec;382:104616. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104616. Epub 2022 Sep 27. PMID: 36219944.