Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Using CAR T-cell therapy to treat severe lupus

Official title: Autologous CD19 Car T-Cell Therapy For Patients With Severe Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - A Pilot Study

Run by National University of Malaysia · NCT06710717 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new CAR T-cell therapy to see if it can help people with severe lupus who haven't found relief from other treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment5 (estimated)
SponsorNational University of Malaysia
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsbelimumab, anifrolumab, rituximab, obinutuzumab, chemotherapy, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, Chimeric Antigen Receptor, CAR-T, CAR T
Locations1 site (Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 3, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 2, 2028
Study endsJanuary 2, 2029
Registry record updatedMay 29, 2025
Trial IDNCT06710717 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 65 with severe, treatment-refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.

Probably not a fit

Patients with mild or well-controlled lupus, or those who have not exhausted standard treatment options, 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 clinical study evaluates the effectiveness of autologous CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for patients with severe, treatment-refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of this innovative treatment approach, which targets autoreactive B-cells responsible for the autoimmune response in SLE. Conducted in Malaysia, the study will involve five patients diagnosed with severe SLE who have not responded adequately to existing therapies. The outcomes will be measured through clinical remission rates, serologic remission, and improvements in quality of life.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from severe lupus who have not responded to conventional therapies.

How similar studies have gone: While CAR T-cell therapy has shown promise in other autoimmune conditions, this specific application for severe SLE is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

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Aged between ≥ 18 to ≤ 65 years Clinical Diagnosis of SLE according to the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria (Fanouriakis et al., 2019) Positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) (titer ≥1:80 ), anti-dsDNA (≥30 IU/mL on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay \[ELISA\]), or anti-Smith at screening or by documented medical history Active disease (defined by not being in remission according to DORIS criteria or in a low disease activity state \[LLDAS\]) (Franklyn et al., 2016, van Vollenhoven et al., 2021) With at least one active organ system involvement Persistent active disease with insufficient response to glucocorticoids and at least 2 of the following treatments for at least 3 months each: cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil or its derivatives, belimumab, azathioprine, anifrolumab, methotrexate, rituximab, obinutuzumab, cyclosporin, tacrolimus or voclosporin.

Serum ALT \<5 times the normal value, serum bilirubin \<3 times the normal value, Left ventricular ejection fraction \>45% Life expectancy of more than 3 months Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2. Psychological, sociological or geographical conditions precluding compliance A female of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test and is on two effective contraception methods A male must use two effective contraception methods

Exclusion Criteria:

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Active cancer or receiving cancer treatment Evidence of severe lung, FVC \<45% and/or DLCO (corrected for Hb) \<30% predicted, heart (NYHA class III/IV, arrhythmia, AV block, uncontrolled hypertension), liver failure or severe neurologic disorders.

Pre-existing irreversible kidney damage and creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min ( to review) Severe pancytopenia HIV positivity. Active Hepatitis B, C infection. Septicemia. Pregnant/nursing female. Receiving stem cell transplant within 12 weeks of enrolment, chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 8 weeks of enrolment Active CNS involvement.

Where it's running

  • University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center
    Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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.