CAR T Cell Therapy for Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

T-cell Infusion Targeting BCMA and CD19 for Refractory/Relapsed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients With or Without Organs Involvement

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Essen Biotech · NCT06350110

This study is testing a new CAR T cell therapy to see if it can help people with hard-to-treat systemic lupus erythematosus by targeting certain immune cells.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorEssen Biotech Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsCAR-T, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06350110 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of fourth-generation CAR T cells targeting BCMA and CD19 to treat patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It aims to determine the highest tolerable dose of BH002 injection in a single-group design. The approach focuses on eradicating abnormal B cells responsible for autoantibody production, potentially restoring normal immune function. The study includes patients aged 18-90 who meet specific eligibility criteria related to their SLE condition and overall health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-90 with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus who meet specific clinical criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with severe lupus nephritis or other significant renal disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a new treatment option that allows patients to achieve remission from SLE without the need for ongoing medication.

How similar studies have performed: While CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in other conditions, this specific application for systemic lupus erythematosus is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-90 years old;
* Total score ≥ 10 on the EULAR/ACR 2019 SLE classification criteria.
* SELENA-SLEDAI≥8.
* Patients with CD19+ B-cell.
* Hemoglobin≥85 g/L.
* WBC≥2.5×10\^9/L.
* NEUT≥1×10\^9/L.
* BPC≥50×10\^9/L.
* AST/ALT below 2 times the upper limit of normal; Creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min; blood bilirubin ≤2.0 mg/dl; echocardiography indicates that the ejection fraction is ≥50%.
* Adequate venous access for apheresis, and no other contraindications for leukapheresis.
* Women of childbearing age should have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test at screening and baseline.
* Subjects agree to take effective contraceptive measures during the trial until at least 1 year after CAR-T cells infusion.
* Agree to attend follow-up visits as required.
* Voluntary participation and informed consent signed by the patient or his/her legal/authorized representative.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Renal disease: severe lupus nephritis (serum creatinine \> 2.5 mg/dL or 221 μmol/L) within 8 weeks --Prior to leukapheresis, or subjects who need hemodialysis.
* CNS disease: including epilepsy, psychosis, organic encephalopathy syndrome, cerebrovascular accident \[CVA\], encephalitis or CNS vasculitis, psychiatric patients with depression or suicidal thoughts.
* Patients with serious lesions and a history of present illness of vital organs such as the heart, liver,kidney blood and endocrine system.
* Patients with immunodeficiency, uncontrolled active infections and active or recurrent peptic ulcers;
* Received immunosuppressive therapy within 1 week prior to leukapheresis.
* Patients with HIV infection; Active infection of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.
* Patients with syphilis infection.
* The presence or suspicion of an active fungal, bacterial, viral or other infection that cannot be controlled during screening.
* Received live vaccine treatment within 4 weeks prior to screening.
* Severe allergies or hypersensitivity.
* Contraindication to cyclophosphamide in combination with fludarabine.
* Subjects who have undergone major surgery within 2 weeks prior to signing the informed consent form, or who are scheduled to have surgery (other than local anesthetic surgery) during the trial or within 2 weeks of the infusion.
* Cannula or drainage tubes other than central venous catheters.
* Pregnant or lactating women, or subjects who plan to have children within 1 year of treatment;
* Subjects with prior CD19 or BCMA-targeted therapy.
* Participated in any clinical study within 3 months prior to enrollment.
* Subjects with malignant tumour, except for Non-melanoma Skin Cancer with PFS\>5yr; Cervical Cancer in situ; Bladder Cancer; Breast Cancer.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Systemic Lupus ErythematosusLupus NephritisAutoimmune DiseasesAnti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated VasculitisGranulomatous PolyangiitisMicroscopic PolyangiitisSystemic SclerosisIdiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.