Using CAR NK cells to treat systemic lupus erythematosus
Official title: An Exploratory Clinical Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Nature Killer Cells (KN5501) in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Run by Changhai Hospital · NCT06010472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of immune cell treatment to see if it can safely help people with moderate to severe lupus who haven't responded well to other treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Changhai Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | obinutuzumab, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, chimeric antigen receptor |
| Locations | 1 site (Shanghai) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 20, 2023 |
| Main results expected | August 25, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 25, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 29, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06010472 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with a confirmed diagnosis of moderate to severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with mild SLE or those who do not meet the specific disease activity criteria 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 pilot study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells (KN5501) in patients suffering from moderate to severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is a single-arm, open-label trial that plans to enroll 36 patients in a dose-escalation format. The primary focus is on assessing the safety of these allogeneic CAR-NK cells, while secondary objectives include measuring various efficacy outcomes related to SLE activity. The study will utilize established indices such as the BILAG-2004 and SRI-4 to gauge patient responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with difficult-to-treat systemic lupus erythematosus.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR NK cell therapies are emerging, this specific application for systemic lupus erythematosus is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age: ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 65 years old, male or female, subjects voluntarily participate in this clinical study and sign the Informed Consent Form (ICF) 2. Previous diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (according to the 1997 American Rheumatology Association criteria) 3. Females of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during study treatment and for 90 days after the last dose of study treatment. In addition, subjects must not donate eggs during the study and for at least 90 days after the last dose of study treatment 4. Subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥ 8 points prior to screening 5. Subject has ≥ 1 organ system with BILAG-2004 Class A mobility score or ≥ 2 organ systems with BILAG-2004 Class B mobility score prior to screening 6. Subjects meets one of the following: 1. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) ≥ 1:80, determined by immunofluorescence method; 2. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are higher than normal level; 3. Anti-Smith antibodies are higher than normal level 7. Absolute number of neutrophils ≥ 1.0×10\^9/L, hemoglobin ≥ 60g/L 8. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% 9. Subjects have been treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS) in combination with an immunosuppressive or biologic agent for at least 6 months prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with known severe allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, contraindication to any medications during the trial (cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, obinutuzumab), or subjects with a history of severe allergic reactions 2. Subjects with active infection receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment, or received intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment within one week prior to anti-CD19 CAR NK Cells infusion 3. Subjects with acquired and congenital immunodeficiency diseases 4. Subjects with grade III or IV heart failure (NYHA classification) 5. History of epilepsy or other central nervous system (CNS) diseases 6. History of severe herpetic infection, such as herpetic encephalitis, ocular herpes, or diffuse herpes 7. History of other primary malignant tumors except: 1. Cured non-melanoma skin cancer by surgical excision, for example basal cell carcinoma (BCC) ; 2. Cured primary malignant tumors, such as cervical cancer, superficial bladder cancer, breast cancer 8. Signs of herpes or varicella-zoster virus infection (especially chickenpox, shingles) within 12 weeks prior to screening; History of any cardiac, endocrine, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, metabolic, urologic, pulmonary, neurologic, dermatologic, psychiatric, and renal disease or other major medical condition that would prevent the administration of anti-CD19 CAR NK Cells (KN5501), except for lupus (determined by the investigator) 9. Females who are pregnant, lactating, or planning a pregnancy within six months 10. Any active skin disease that may interfere with the study assessment of SLE, including but not limited to psoriasis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, non-LE cutaneous lupus manifestations (eg, cutaneous vascular disease, periungual telangiectasia, fingertip sclerosis, rheumatoid nodules, erythema multiforme, leg ulcers) or drug-induced lupus 11. Subjects who have received other clinical trial treatment within 3 months 12. Subjects who have received B cell-targeted drug therapy within 1 month before enrollment 13. Any abnormal laboratory test results judged by the investigator to be clinically significant and prevent the subject from participating in the study. Laboratory test values that are out of range and not of clinical significance will not be considered as exclusion criteria 14. Any situation judged by the investigators that may increase the risk of the subjects or interfere with the clinical trial outcome
Where it's running
-
Changhai Hospital
Shanghai, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dongbao Zhao, Doctor — ChanghaiHospital
- Study coordinator: Dongbao Zhao, Doctor
- Email: dongbaozhao@163.com
- Phone: +86-15921061314
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.