Cell therapy using thymic Treg cells to manage immune response in COVID-19 and ARDS

Open Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Allogenic Administration of Treg Cells Obtained From Thymic Tissue (thyTreg) to Control The Immune Hyperactivation Associated With COVID-19 and/or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon · NCT06052436

This study is testing whether a new type of immune cell therapy can help people with severe COVID-19 and ARDS by calming down their overactive immune response.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorHospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsbasiliximab
Locations1 site (Madrid, Madrid)
Trial IDNCT06052436 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of allogeneic thymic regulatory T cells (thyTreg) in patients experiencing immune hyperactivation due to COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The study employs a sequential parallel group design and aims to determine if these specialized Treg cells can help restore immune balance and reduce excessive inflammation. Participants will receive either 5 million or 10 million thyTreg cells, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes and preventing multi-organ failure associated with severe respiratory conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 who are hospitalized with acute respiratory failure due to non-cardiogenic causes and exhibit specific inflammatory markers.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have a high body mass index, or are not expected to survive 48 hours after enrollment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve survival rates and recovery for patients suffering from severe COVID-19 and ARDS.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary results from related studies using Treg cells indicate feasibility and safety, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient over 18 to 65 years of age
2. Patient Informed and non-opposed to the research by his medical doctor during hospitalization
3. Patient with clinical, radiological, gasometric and immunological criteria defined as:

   1. Acute respiratory failure secondary to acute lung injury of noncardiogenic cause
   2. Pulmonary abnormalities compatible with bilateral alveoloinsterstitial infiltrates by chest imaging (radiograph or scan)
   3. PaO2/FiO2≤ 300 Presence of at least one of the following markers of inflammation: IL6 \> 40 pg/ml or ferritin \>300 ng/ml or CRP \>3 mg/dl or increasing over the last 24 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy or breast feeding
2. Body mass index \>35
3. Patients not expected to survive 48 hours after enrolment based on clinical assessment
4. Patients with an extracorporeal respiratory support
5. Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \<1000/uL)
6. Thrombocytopenia (absolute neutrophil count \<50000/uL)
7. Positive serology for HBV, HCV, or HIV at Screening
8. Life expectancy of less than 6 months due to other pathologies
9. History of significant underlying pulmonary disease requiring oxygen therapy prior to inclusion.
10. Patients with a history of autoimmune diseases
11. Patients with a history of hematopoietic neoplasia or oncology disease
12. Patients with a history of hematopoietic or solid organ transplant
13. Patients with a congenital or induced immunodeficiency
14. Patients received thymoglobulin, basiliximab or any anti-T-cell therapies within 6 moths prior to the screening visit
15. Patients received other cell therapy in the last 12 months
16. Patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) within 5 moths prior to the screening visit
17. Patients who have participated or is participating in a clinical research study evaluating COVID-19 or ARDS within 30 days prior to the screening visit

Where this trial is running

Madrid, Madrid

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 Inflammatory Response SyndromeImmune HyperactivationRegulatory T cellARDSCOVID-19Advanced therapyImmunotherapyTh1-Th2 Balance
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.