Anti-CD19 CAR-T for non-relapsing progressive multiple sclerosis

A Phase 1, Open-Label, Single Center Study of KYV-101, an Autologous Fully-Human Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CD19 CAR T) Therapy in Subjects With Non-relapsing and Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis

This Phase 1 trial will test whether a single infusion of KYV-101 (anti-CD19 CAR-T cells) is safe and can slow worsening in adults with non-relapsing progressive MS.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Stanford University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: tocilizumab, natalizumab, CAR T, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Chimeric Antigen Receptor
• Locations: 1 site (Palo Alto, California)
• Trial ID: NCT06138132 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 1, single-center study at Stanford will give eligible adults with non-relapsing progressive MS a lymphodepletion regimen followed by infusion of KYV-101, an anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. The primary focus is on safety and tolerability, with close clinical and laboratory monitoring after treatment. Secondary observations will track neurological function and disease stability over follow-up. Enrollment requires specific immune‑status (VZV/EBV antibodies or vaccination) and adequate organ and marrow function.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–65 with a diagnosis of progressive MS (primary or secondary) that is worsening without recent relapses or MRI inflammatory activity, who meet blood count, organ function, and VZV/EBV immunity requirements.

Not a fit: People with active relapsing MS, recent inflammatory activity, insufficient organ or marrow function, or missing required VZV/EBV immunity are unlikely to qualify or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, KYV-101 could slow or halt neurological worsening in people with non-relapsing progressive MS who have limited treatment options.

How similar studies have performed: B-cell–depleting therapies and early CAR-T case reports in autoimmune diseases have shown promising signals, but anti-CD19 CAR-T for non-relapsing progressive MS remains largely experimental with limited published data.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is ≥ 18 years old, and ≤65 years of age, at time of screening visit.
2. Diagnosis of MS according to the 2017 McDonald Criteria.
3. Progressive MS by 2014 Lublin MS phenotypic criteria.
4. Presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies, or completion of at least one dose of the varicella zoster glycoprotein E (gE) Shingrix vaccine at least four weeks prior to treatment.
5. Presence of anti EBV antibodies.
6. Organ and Marrow Function

   * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 2000/uL.
   * Platelet count ≥ 150,000/uL.
   * Absolute lymphocyte count ≥ 1000/uL.
   * Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) ≥ 500mg/dL.
   * Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL.
   * Adequate renal, hepatic, pulmonary and cardiac function defined as:

     * Creatinine ≤ 2mg/dL or creatinine clearance (as estimated by Cockcroft Gault Equation) ≥ 60 mL/min.
     * Serum alanine transaminase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3 upper limit of normal (ULN).
     * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dl, except in subjects with Gilbert's syndrome
     * Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 40%, no evidence of physiologically significant pericardial effusion as determined by an ECHO, and no clinically significant ECG findings.
     * Baseline oxygen saturation \> 94% on room air.
7. Testing for

   * Hepatitis B core antibody (HBc Ab)
   * Hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab)
   * Hepatitis B surface antigen (Hep B surf. AG)
   * HIV 1\&2 Ab
   * Syphilis Screen
   * Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) Ab I \& II
   * Nucleic acid test multiplex (NAT MPX) for HIV, HCV, HBV
   * Herpes Simplex Virus 1 \& 2 IgG panel
   * Varicella-Zoster (VZ) IgG
   * Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Total Ab

   Must be seronegative for HIV-1 RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR); HIV 1 and HIV 2 Ab (antibody); HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Ab; PCR+ or negative surface antigen for hepatitis B; negative for the Treponema pallidum antibody Syphilis screen; and negative for HIV-1 and hepatitis C by nucleic acid testing (NAT) within 40 days of apheresis procedures.
8. Females of childbearing potential have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test because of the potentially dangerous/unknown effects on the fetus. Females who have undergone hysterectomy or who have been postmenopausal for at least 2 years are not considered to be of childbearing potential.
9. Contraception: Subjects of child-bearing or child-fathering potential must be willing to practice highly effective birth control from the time of enrollment on this study and for the entire study period which is 12 months after receiving the CAR T cell infusion.
10. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients must have signed informed consent to participate in the trial.
11. Adequate vital sign criterion with acceptable numerical ranges of:

    * Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg) ≥ 100 and ≤ 150
    * Diastolic Blood pressure (mmHg) ≥ 60 and ≤ 90
    * To ensure subject safety and stability, any subject who is noted to have a BP \> 150/90 mm Hg should be stable on anti-hypertensive medications with repeated BP ≤150/90 for at least one month prior to enrollment in the study
    * Heart Rate ≥ 60 and ≤ 100 bpm
    * Oral Temperature ≤ 37.7 C/afebrile
    * Respiratory rate ≥ 12 and ≤ 20bpm

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or MOG antibody associated disease (MOGAD).
2. Prior treatment with any investigational agent within 3 months, or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer. Agents authorized by the FDA for prevention or treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not considered investigational.
3. Initiation of any DMT between the completion of apheresis and start of lymphodepletion (LD) chemotherapy. The use of methylprednisolone for bridging therapy between apheresis and start of LD chemotherapy will be allowed.
4. History of CNS or spinal cord tumor, metabolic or infectious cause of myelopathy, genetically inherited progressive CNS disorder, sarcoidosis or non-MS progressive neurologic condition affecting ability to perform study assessments.
5. History of cytopenia consistent with the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
6. History of sickle cell anemia or other hemoglobinopathy.
7. Coagulation abnormalities defined by: international normalized ratio (INR) \> 1.5, prothrombin time (PT) \> 14 seconds, partial thromboplastin time (PTT) \> 45 seconds to the exclusion criteria. Patients with positive antiphospholipid antibodies, including anti-cardiolipin, or lupus anticoagulant.
8. Presence of fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infection that is not controlled and/ or requiring hospitalization or treatment with IV antimicrobials within 4 weeks of screening. Simple urinary tract infection (UTI) and uncomplicated bacterial pharyngitis are permitted if responding to active treatment.
9. Psychiatric disorder(s) or psychosocial circumstance(s) which in the opinion of the Stanford Transplant team caring for this potential patient would place the patient at an unacceptable risk.
10. Presence or history of liver cirrhosis.
11. History of malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ (e.g. cervix, bladder, breast) unless disease free for at least 3 years
12. Active infection with HIV, hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) or hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV positive) as the immunosuppression contained in this study may pose unacceptable risk. A prior history of hepatitis B or hepatitis C is permitted providing the viral load is undetectable per quantitative PCR and/or nucleic acid testing. Hepatitis B surface antibody following hepatitis B immunization is not considered to be evidence of past infection.
13. Central nervous system (CNS) disorder such as cerebrovascular ischemia/hemorrhage, dementia, cerebellar disease unrelated to MS that in the judgment of the investigator may impair the ability to evaluate neurotoxicity.
14. History of myocardial infarction, cardiac angioplasty or stenting, unstable angina, or other clinically significant cardiac disease (uncontrolled congestive heart failure) within 4 months of enrollment. Subjects with stable cardiac disease fulfilling inclusion criteria are allowed.
15. Subjects receiving anticoagulation therapy or subjects with concomitant use of antiplatelet agents.
16. History of Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus that required continued systemic immunosuppression/systemic disease modifying agents within the 2 years prior to trial enrollment.
17. A primary immune deficiency disease
18. In the investigator's judgment, the subject is unlikely to complete protocol-required study visits or procedures, including follow-up visits, or comply with the study requirements for participation.
19. History of severe immediate hypersensitivity reaction to any of the agents used in this study. This includes contraindications or life-threatening allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to KYV-101 or its excipients, including dimethyl sulfoxide; Bendamustine; or tocilizumab.
20. Any medical condition that in the judgement of the investigator is likely to interfere with assessment of safety or efficacy of study treatment.
21. Prior treatment with total lymphoid irradiation or mitoxantrone exceeding 36 mg/m2 cumulative dose
22. Prior treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or prior history of cellular immunotherapy (eg. CAR T) or gene therapy directed at any target.
23. Prior treatment with anti-CD20+ monoclonal antibody therapy within 9 months of trial initiation. A 30-day washout will be required for prior treatment with glatiramer acetate, interferon-beta, and fumarates. A 60-day washout will be required for sphingosine-i-phosphate modulators and natalizumab. Excluded will be patients who received prior treatment with mitoxantrone regardless of prior cumulative dose.
24. Prior history of solid organ transplantation
25. Impaired cardiac function or clinically significant cardiac disease including:

    * a. Unstable angina or myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) within 6 months prior to apheresis.
    * b. New York Heart Association (NYHA) stage III or IV congestive heart failure.
    * c. History of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia (eg, ventricular tachycardia), complete left bundle branch block, high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block.
    * d. History of severe nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
    * e. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<45% as assessed by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multi-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan (performed ≤8 weeks of apheresis).
    * f. Active, current cardiac manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) including pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and myocarditis.
26. Prior history of splenectomy
27. History of moderate or worse than moderate asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
28. Corrected QT interval (QTc) \>450msec in males or \>470msecs in females
29. Subjects with valvular heart disease (regurgitation, stenosis or atresia
30. Moderate or worse renal impairment using criteria

    * Stage 1: Kidney damage with normal or increased GFR (\>90 mL/min/1.73 m\^2).
    * Stage 2: Mild reduction in GFR (60-89 mL/min/1.73 m\^2).
    * Stage 3a: Moderate reduction in GFR (45-59 mL/min/1.73 m\^2).
    * Stage 3b: Moderate reduction in GFR (30-44 mL/min/1.73 m\^2).
    * Stage 4: Severe reduction in GFR (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m\^2).
    * Stage 5: Kidney failure (GFR \< 15 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 or dialysis)
31. Previously received Mavenclad, yet drug washout is ≤9 months.
32. History of a seizure disorder even if the seizure disorder is well controlled with anti-epileptics
33. Prior history of treatment with cellular immunotherapy (e.g. CAR T) gene therapy product directed as any target.

Where this trial is running

Palo Alto, California

• Stanford Multiple Sclerosis Center — Palo Alto, California, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jeffrey Dunn, MD — Stanford University
• Study coordinator: Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Study Team

Conditions Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Primary Progressive; Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive; KYV-101; autoimmune disease; anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy; cellular therapy