Mesothelin and Claudin 18.2 Dual-Target CAR-T Therapy in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Last updated: July 4, 2025
Sponsor: Essen Biotech
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1/2

Condition

Pancreatic Cancer

Digestive System Neoplasms

Pancreatitis

Treatment

Mesothelin and Claudin 18.2 CAR-T cells

Clinical Study ID

NCT07066995
ESBI202571-102
  • Ages 21-90
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Autologous T-cells engineered to express CARs targeting Mesothelin and Claudin18.2, for Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, PDAC), administered as two separate sequential infusions following lymphodepleting chemotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Expected survival time ≥3 months;

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma that is advanced (unresectable or metastatic). Patients should have received, or be intolerant of,standard first-line therapy (e.g., gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, FOLFIRINOX) foradvanced disease. A short course of current first-line therapy is allowed for thepurpose of bridging to manufacturing, but evidence of disease progression on orafter at least one line is required prior to infusion (for the dose-expansion phase,patients must have progressed on ≥1 prior systemic regimen).

  • ECOG Performance Status: 0 or 1 (fully active or restricted in strenuous activitybut ambulatory).

  • Liver and kidney function, cardiopulmonary function meet the following requirements:

  • Creatinine ≤1.5×ULN; (2) Electrocardiogram showed no clinically significant abnormalbands;

  • Blood oxygen saturation >91% in non-oxygen state;

  • Total bilirubin ≤2×ULN; ALT and AST≤2.5 x ULN; ALT and AST abnormalities due todisease, such as liver infiltration or bile duct obstruction, were determined to beless than 5×ULN. If Gilbert syndrome is diagnosed, the total bilirubin index can berelaxed to ≤3.0×ULN and the direct bilirubin ≤1.5×ULN.

  • No serious mental disorders;

  • Can understand this test and has signed the informed consent.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive; Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)positive and peripheral blood hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titer detection is notwithin the normal reference value range; Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Antibody positiveand peripheral blood hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA positive; Human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) Antibody positive; Syphilis positive;

  • Serious heart disease, including but not limited to unstable angina, myocardialinfarction or bypass or stent surgery (within 6 months prior to screening),congestive heart failure (NYHA classification ≥III), and severe arrhythmia;

  • Systemic diseases that are deemed unstable by researchers: including but not limitedto severe liver, kidney, or metabolic diseases that require drug treatment;

  • Active or uncontrollable infections (except mild genitourinary and upper respiratorytract infections) that require systemic treatment within 7 days prior toadministration;

  • Pregnant or lactating women, and female subjects who plan pregnancy within 2 yearsafter cell transfusion or male subjects whose partners plan pregnancy within 2 yearsafter cell transfusion;

  • Patients who received CAR-T therapy or other gene-modified cell therapy beforescreening;

  • Participated in other clinical studies 1 month before screening;

  • Evidence of central nervous system invasion during subject screening;

  • Mental patients with depression or suicidal thoughts;

  • Situations considered unsuitable for inclusion by other researchers.

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Mesothelin and Claudin 18.2 CAR-T cells
Phase: 1/2
Study Start date:
April 29, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
December 28, 2028

Study Description

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, with a poor prognosis in advanced stages. Mesothelin (MSLN) and Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) are tumor-associated antigens overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Both are promising immunotherapy targets, as they are prevalent in pancreatic tumors while largely restricted in normal tissues. CAR-T cell therapies directed at these antigens have shown early evidence of safety and anti-tumor activity. For example, mesothelin-specific CAR T cells have achieved stable disease and metabolic tumor regression in initial trials without dose-limiting toxicity. Similarly, CLDN18.2-specific CAR-T cells yielded objective remissions (including complete remission) in refractory pancreatic cancer, albeit with some gastric mucosal toxicity due to low-level target expression in normal stomach. Targeting two antigens may improve tumor control by addressing antigen heterogeneity and reducing immune escape. This trial evaluates a dual-target CAR-T strategy, in which two separate CAR-T products (one for mesothelin, one for claudin18.2) are given sequentially.

Connect with a study center

  • District One Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing 086-373
    China

    Active - Recruiting

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