Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 to 70

Biomarker-guided CAR-T target selection for refractory lupus

Official title: A Phase 1/2, Open-Label, Biomarker-Guided, Non-Randomized, Multicenter Study of Autologous CAR-T Cell Therapy Targeting CD19 or BCMA in Adults With Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Active Lupus Nephritis.

Run by Beijing Biotech · NCT07523542 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether using a lab-based immune profile to pick CD19- or BCMA-targeted CAR-T can help adults with refractory lupus, including lupus nephritis, who have not responded to standard treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment24 (estimated)
SponsorBeijing Biotech
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsCAR-T, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, rituximab
Locations1 site (Shenzhen, Guangdong)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 2, 2026
Main results expectedMarch 14, 2027
Study endsOctober 17, 2028
Registry record updatedApril 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT07523542 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18–70 with 2019 EULAR/ACR-classified SLE who have active, treatment-refractory disease (insufficient response to at least two prior systemic regimens including an immunosuppressant or biologic) and demonstrable CD19- or BCMA-targetable biology are potential candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients without measurable CD19 or BCMA target expression, those with well-controlled disease, or those unable to tolerate leukapheresis, lymphodepletion, or CAR-T therapy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults with refractory SLE undergo centralized immunophenotyping (flow cytometry, autoantibody and complement testing) to identify whether their disease is B-cell-dominant (CD19) or plasma-cell-dominant (BCMA). Participants assigned to the CD19 or BCMA arm undergo leukapheresis, optional short bridging therapy, fludarabine/cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion, and a single infusion of autologous CAR-T cells with a safety lead-in dose-escalation followed by an expansion cohort. Inpatient monitoring is provided after infusion and participants are followed through 52 weeks with separate long-term gene-modified-cell safety surveillance. Primary aims are to characterize safety, define a recommended Phase 2 dose for each arm, and estimate remission rates by Week 24.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, matching each patient to the CAR-T target that most closely drives their disease could produce deeper, longer-lasting remissions and reduce reliance on other immunosuppression.

How similar studies have gone: Small case series have reported deep remissions after CD19-directed CAR-T in refractory SLE, while BCMA-directed CAR-T is established in myeloma but is less tested for autoimmune disease.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 1\. Age 18 to 70 years at consent. 2. Meets 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE, with total score \>= 10.

  3\. Active refractory disease at screening, defined by SELENA-SLEDAI \>= 8, or at least one BILAG A domain, or at least two BILAG B domains, or active lupus nephritis with significant proteinuria and active urinary sediment.

  4\. Inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to at least 2 prior standard systemic regimens, including at least 1 immunosuppressant or biologic used for SLE or lupus nephritis. 5. Demonstrable targetable biology and assignment to one protocol arm: CD19 arm for measurable CD19-positive B-cell / B-cell-dominant disease, or BCMA arm for BCMA-positive plasmablast / plasma-cell-dominant disease and/or persistent serologic activity after prior B-cell depletion. 6. If active lupus nephritis is present, biopsy-proven class III, IV, V, or mixed proliferative / membranous LN within the previous 24 months, or investigator confirmation that repeat biopsy is unsafe but the clinical picture strongly supports active LN. 7. Adequate organ function: hemoglobin \>= 8.5 g/dL, ANC \>= 1.0 x 10\^9/L, platelets \>= 50 x 10\^9/L, AST / ALT \<= 2.5 x ULN, creatinine clearance \>= 30 mL/min, bilirubin \<= 2.0 mg/dL unless otherwise explained, and LVEF \>= 50%.

  8\. Adequate venous access and eligibility for leukapheresis. 9. Negative pregnancy test and agreement to use effective contraception for 12 months after infusion.

  10\. Ability to discontinue prohibited SLE medications per washout rules and willingness to comply with inpatient observation and long-term follow-up. 11. Written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1\. Active uncontrolled infection, including active tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C with active replication, or HIV.

  2\. Prior CAR-T therapy or prior CD19- or BCMA-directed cell therapy. 3. Severe active CNS lupus requiring urgent escalation of immunosuppression, uncontrolled seizure disorder, or stroke within 60 days before screening. 4. End-stage organ failure not expected to improve with immune reset, such as dialysis-dependent kidney failure, uncontrolled advanced heart failure, or ICU-level respiratory instability. 5. Active malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years, except adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, cervical carcinoma in situ, or other low-risk malignancy in durable remission. 6. Pregnant or breastfeeding. 7. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant history.

  8\. Contraindication to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, leukapheresis, or standard rescue medications for CRS / ICANS. 9. Live vaccine within 4 weeks before lymphodepletion. 10. Participation in another interventional clinical study within 3 months before enrollment.

  11\. Uncontrolled psychiatric disease, active substance misuse, or social circumstances that would impair adherence.

  12\. Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes participation unsafe or confounds interpretation of the study endpoints.

Where it's running

  • Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
    Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.