Evaluating a new treatment for patients with transfusion-dependent α-thalassemia

the Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of HGI-002 Injection in Patients With Transfusion-Dependent α-Thalassemia

This study is testing a new treatment using patients' own stem cells to see if it can help young people with severe α-thalassemia who need regular blood transfusions.

Quick facts

• Phase: Early Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 3 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Shenzhen Hemogen (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: ruxolitinib
• Locations: 1 site (Nanning, Guangxi)
• Trial ID: NCT05851105 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This open-label study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of α-globin restored autologous hematopoietic stem cells in patients diagnosed with severe transfusion-dependent α-thalassemia. Participants aged 12 to 35 years will receive the treatment after meeting specific eligibility criteria, including a history of frequent blood transfusions and acceptable organ function. The study will monitor the patients' responses to the treatment and any associated side effects over time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 12-35 with severe transfusion-dependent α-thalassemia who have a history of frequent blood transfusions.

Not a fit: Patients with mild forms of α-thalassemia or those who do not require regular blood transfusions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients with α-thalassemia.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies involving hematopoietic stem cell treatments have shown promise in treating blood disorders.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 12-35 years (inclusive), ICF can be provided by the patient and/or legal guardian;
2. Definitively α- thalassemia diagnosed with severe TDT without genotype restriction, and a valid test report can be provided;
3. Average transfusion volume \> 100 mL/kg/year or transfusion frequency \> 8 times/year within 2 years prior to enrollment, or has been definitively diagnosed with TDT;
4. At least 3 months of full volume transfusion (verification of blood transfusion records can be provided) prior to screening, and Hb is maintained at ≥ 9.0 g/dL;
5. Ferritin load \< 3000 μg/L, cardiac and liver iron indicates moderate or lesser iron overload; records of iron chelation treatments within 3 months before screening (including prescription or receipt) can be provided;
6. Acceptable organ functions (including heart, liver, kidney, lung and coagulation functions), stable disease condition, and suitable for busulfan pre-treatment and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation as judged by the investigator;
7. Meets follow-up requirements, adheres to treatment arrangements, and is able to return to the hospital regularly to undergo various examinations within 2 years after reinfusion of HGI-002 injection.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with fully HLA-matched donors;
2. Received allogeneic transplantation, which needs to be weighed and evaluated by an expert committee; received other gene therapies;
3. Have previously undergone splenectomy;
4. Uncorrected bleeding disorder;
5. Uncontrolled epilepsy and mental illness;
6. Received hydroxyurea, ruxolitinib, decitabine, or cytarabine within 3 months prior to enrollment;
7. Psychoactive substance abuse, drug or alcohol abuse within 6 months prior to enrollment;
8. Patients with pulmonary hypertension who have not been given effective intervention;
9. Persistent toxicity (≥ CTCAE grade 2) induced by previous treatment;
10. Positive for anti-RBC antibodies in antibody screening;
11. Positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA copy number \> upper limit of normal (ULN) (HBV DNA test not required for patients negative for HBsAg), positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or positive for Treponema pallidum antibody (TP-Ab) (subjects who are positive for the antibody due to vaccination can be enrolled). In certain clinical environments/regions, subjects who are positive for other tests can also be excluded from the trial, such as, human lymphocytic virus-1 (HTLV-1) or -2 (HTLV-2), tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis.
12. Has or has had malignant tumors or myeloproliferative disease or immunodeficiency disease;
13. Immediate family member with or suspected of having a familial cancer (including but not limited to hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and adenomatous polyposis);
14. Severe bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infection;
15. Other illnesses which render the subject unsuitable for participation (e.g., severe liver, kidney or heart disease); Definition of severe liver and kidney disease: a. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or total bilirubin \> 3 × ULN; b. Liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicates significant cirrhosis; c. Liver biopsy indicates cirrhosis, severe fibrosis or active hepatitis (liver biopsy is only performed when liver MRI indicates active hepatitis and significant fibrosis without evidence for cirrhosis); d. Creatinine clearance \< 30% of normal;
16. WBC \< 3 × 109/L and/or PLT \< 100 × 109/L;
17. Has diabetes, abnormal thyroid functions or other endocrine disorder;
18. Participated in other interventional clinical studies within 4 weeks before the trial;
19. Poor adherence or other conditions that renders the subject unsuitable for participation as judged by the investigator.

Where this trial is running

Nanning, Guangxi

• PLA Joint Logistic Support Force No. 923 Hospital — Nanning, Guangxi, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Chao Liu, PHD — Shenzhen Hemogen
• Study coordinator: Haigang Sun

Conditions α-thalassemia