Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 70

Treatment for advanced colorectal cancer using targeted CAR-T and CAR-DC therapies

Official title: Exploratory Clinical Study of Combined Claudin18.2-Targeted CAR-DC and CAR-T Therapy in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine · NCT06946615 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new combination treatment using special immune cells to see if it can help people with advanced colorectal cancer live longer and feel better.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment18 (estimated)
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, CAR-T
Locations1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 8, 2025
Main results expectedApril 2026
Study endsApril 2027
Registry record updatedApril 27, 2025
Trial IDNCT06946615 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include patients with advanced colorectal cancer who have confirmed Claudin18.2 expression and have experienced disease progression after standard treatments.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not express Claudin18.2 in their tumor tissue or have not progressed after standard treatments may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This clinical study aims to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of a combination therapy involving Claudin18.2-targeted CAR-T cells and CAR-DCs in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. It is an open-label, single-arm study that will assess the maximum tolerated dose of the therapy during a dose-escalation phase. Additionally, the study will measure overall response rates, overall survival, and disease-free survival, while also evaluating the persistence and functional activity of the infused cells.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a new treatment option for patients with advanced colorectal cancer who have not responded to standard therapies.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using CAR-T and CAR-DC therapies is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in other cancers, suggesting potential for success in this context.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants must have a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of colonic or rectal adenocarcinoma, with at least one measurable lesion meeting RECIST v1.1 criteria (i.e., a target lesion with a longest diameter ≥10 mm on spiral CT scan, or a lymph node with a short axis ≥15 mm).
2. Claudin18.2 expression must be confirmed as positive in tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
3. Disease progression following standard treatments, including prior administration of fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin. Disease progression may occur during or after treatment. Prior molecular targeted therapies are allowed.
4. ECOG performance status of 0 to 1.
5. Expected survival of at least 6 months.
6. Toxicities related to prior antitumor treatments must have resolved to baseline or ≤ Grade 1 (except for residual alopecia); peripheral neurotoxicity ≤ Grade 2 is acceptable. The minimum washout period is 4 weeks for chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and 2 weeks for targeted therapy.
7. Adequate organ function, defined as follows:

   * Hematologic function: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 × 10\^9/L, platelet count ≥ 75 × 10\^9/L, and hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL. No blood transfusions, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), thrombopoietin (TPO), or erythropoietin (EPO) allowed within 14 days prior to hematology testing.
   * Hepatic function: Total bilirubin (TBIL) \< 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN); AST and ALT \< 2.5 × ULN. For patients with Gilbert's syndrome, TBIL \< 2 × ULN. For patients with liver metastases, AST and ALT must be \< 5 × ULN.
   * Renal function: Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN; or if \> 1.5 × ULN, creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 60 mL/min as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula.
   * Coagulation function: Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) \< 1.5 × ULN; international normalized ratio (INR) \< 1.5 or within the therapeutic range if on anticoagulation therapy.
8. Participants of childbearing potential must agree to use effective contraception during the study period.
9. Participants must have adequate comprehension and voluntarily sign the informed consent form.
10. Willingness to comply with all study-related procedures, including scheduled visits, drug administration, laboratory assessments, and other protocol requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Tumor-related emergencies requiring immediate intervention, such as malignant pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade, superior vena cava syndrome, or spinal cord compression.
2. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including:

   * Documented cardiovascular events within the past 6 months, such as myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, severe arrhythmias, or history of angioplasty, stent implantation, or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG);
   * Prolonged QT/QTcF interval with clinical significance (QT/QTcF \> 470 ms in females or \> 450 ms in males).
3. Clinically significant bleeding disorders or coagulopathies, such as hemophilia.
4. Active infections including HIV, syphilis, or active hepatitis B or C:

   * Hepatitis B: HBV-DNA ≥ 1000 IU/mL;
   * Hepatitis C: Positive HCV RNA with abnormal liver function.
5. History of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization due to mental illness or other psychiatric disorders deemed unsuitable for treatment by the investigator.
6. Presence of autoimmune diseases or chronic use of immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroids.
7. Poor medication compliance or inability to adhere to the treatment protocol.
8. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, warrants exclusion from the study.

Where it's running

  • Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Ying Yuan — Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Ying Yuan
  • Email: yuanying1999@zju.edu.cn
  • Phone: +86-13858193601

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.