An Exploratory Clinical Study of Anti-CD19 CAR NK Cells in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Last updated: April 26, 2025
Sponsor: Changhai Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1

Condition

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus

Treatment

anti-CD19 CAR NK cells (KN5501)

Clinical Study ID

NCT06010472
CHEC2023-174
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

A single arm, open-label pilot study is designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of anti-cluster of differentiation antigen 19 (CD19) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells (KN5501) in patients with moderate to severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 36 patients are planned to be enrolled in the dose-escalation trial. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety of allogeneic anti-CD19 CAR-NK cells (KN5501) for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe refractory active SLE. The secondary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of anti-CD19 CAR NK cells (KN5501) in patients with moderate to severe refractory SLE, including British Isles Lupus Assessment Group 2004 (BILAG-2004) index, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index (SRI)-4 response rate, Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) rate, and Definitions Of Remission In SLE (DORIS) remission rate.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age: ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 65 years old, male or female, subjects voluntarilyparticipate in this clinical study and sign the Informed Consent Form (ICF)

  2. Previous diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (according to the 1997American Rheumatology Association criteria)

  3. Females of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during studytreatment and for 90 days after the last dose of study treatment. In addition,subjects must not donate eggs during the study and for at least 90 days after thelast dose of study treatment

  4. Subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥ 8 points prior to screening

  5. Subject has ≥ 1 organ system with BILAG-2004 Class A mobility score or ≥ 2 organsystems with BILAG-2004 Class B mobility score prior to screening

  6. Subjects meets one of the following:

  7. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) ≥ 1:80, determined by immunofluorescence method;

  8. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are higher than normal level;

  9. Anti-Smith antibodies are higher than normal level

  10. Absolute number of neutrophils ≥ 1.0×10^9/L, hemoglobin ≥ 60g/L

  11. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%

  12. Subjects have been treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS) in combination with animmunosuppressive or biologic agent for at least 6 months prior to enrollment

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects with known severe allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, contraindication toany medications during the trial (cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, obinutuzumab), orsubjects with a history of severe allergic reactions

  2. Subjects with active infection receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment, orreceived intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment within one week prior to anti-CD19CAR NK Cells infusion

  3. Subjects with acquired and congenital immunodeficiency diseases

  4. Subjects with grade III or IV heart failure (NYHA classification)

  5. History of epilepsy or other central nervous system (CNS) diseases

  6. History of severe herpetic infection, such as herpetic encephalitis, ocular herpes,or diffuse herpes

  7. History of other primary malignant tumors except:

  8. Cured non-melanoma skin cancer by surgical excision, for example basal cellcarcinoma (BCC) ;

  9. Cured primary malignant tumors, such as cervical cancer, superficial bladdercancer, breast cancer

  10. Signs of herpes or varicella-zoster virus infection (especially chickenpox,shingles) within 12 weeks prior to screening; History of any cardiac, endocrine,hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, metabolic, urologic, pulmonary, neurologic,dermatologic, psychiatric, and renal disease or other major medical condition thatwould prevent the administration of anti-CD19 CAR NK Cells (KN5501), except forlupus (determined by the investigator)

  11. Females who are pregnant, lactating, or planning a pregnancy within six months

  12. Any active skin disease that may interfere with the study assessment of SLE,including but not limited to psoriasis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, non-LEcutaneous lupus manifestations (eg, cutaneous vascular disease, periungualtelangiectasia, fingertip sclerosis, rheumatoid nodules, erythema multiforme, legulcers) or drug-induced lupus

  13. Subjects who have received other clinical trial treatment within 3 months

  14. Subjects who have received B cell-targeted drug therapy within 1 month beforeenrollment

  15. Any abnormal laboratory test results judged by the investigator to be clinicallysignificant and prevent the subject from participating in the study. Laboratory testvalues that are out of range and not of clinical significance will not be consideredas exclusion criteria

  16. Any situation judged by the investigators that may increase the risk of the subjectsor interfere with the clinical trial outcome

Study Design

Total Participants: 36
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: anti-CD19 CAR NK cells (KN5501)
Phase: 1
Study Start date:
August 20, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
August 25, 2027

Connect with a study center

  • Changhai Hospital

    Shanghai,
    China

    Active - Recruiting

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