A Study of CD19/BCMA CAR-T Cells Therapy for Patients With Refractory Sjogren’s Syndrome

Autoimmune diseases only show local pathological damage, but more often systemic lesions. If not diagnosed and treated in time or poorly controlled, there is a risk of disability or even death as the course of the disease progresses. Studies have shown that B cells can present their own antigens to autoimmune T cells to promote the release of inflammatory factors, or they can differentiate into plasma cells to release autoantibodies, and play an important role in the occurrence and progression of autoimmune diseases. In recent years, it has become a major research focus to deplete B cells in patients or inhibit B cell function. This research focuses on CAR-T cells killing B cells. Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of salivary and lachrymal glands, frequently accompanied by systemic symptoms. The presence of various autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-SSA/SSB antibodies, as well as hypergammaglobulinemia, reflect B cell hyperactivity. About five percent of patients with SS develop malignant B cell lymphoma, usually of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type and most frequently located in the major salivary glands. This fully reflects the application prospects of CAR-T cells in autoimmune diseases.

Based on the progress made so far, our center plans to study the safety and effectiveness of CD19/BCMA CAR-T cells in treating systemic lupus erythematosus that has not responded to other treatments.

Study Type : Interventional (Clinical Trial)

Estimated Enrollment : 9 participants

Allocation: N/A

Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose: Treatment

Official Title: A Study of CD19/BCMA Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Therapy for Patients With Refractory Sjogren’s Syndrome

Estimated Study Start Date : November 5, 2021

Estimated Primary Completion Date : November 5, 2024

Estimated Study Completion Date : November 5, 2024

1. Sjogren’s Syndrome with positive CD19/BCMA expression , and the conventional treatment is not effective and (or) no effective treatment 2. Estimated survival time> 12 weeks; 3. Patients had a negative urine pregnancy test before the start of administration and agreed to take effective contraceptive measures during the test period until the last follow-up; 4. Patients or their legal guardians volunteer to participate in the study and sign the informed consent.

Subjects with any of the following exclusion criteria were not eligible for this trial:

1. History of craniocerebral trauma, conscious disturbance, epilepsy, cerebrovascular ischemia, and cerebrovascular, hemorrhagic diseases;
2. Electrocardiogram shows prolonged QT interval, severe heart diseases such as severe arrhythmia in the past;
3. Pregnant (or lactating) women;
4. Patients with severe active infections (excluding simple urinary tract infection and bacterial pharyngitis);
5. Active infection of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus;
6. Concurrent therapy with systemic steroids within 2 weeks prior to screening, except for the patients recently or currently receiving in haled steroids;
7. Creatinine > 2.5 mg/dl, or ALT / AST > 3 times of normal amounts, or bilirubin > 2.0 mg/dl;
8. Other uncontrolled diseases that were not suitable for this trial;
9. Patients with HIV infection;
10. Any situations that the investigator believes may increase the risk of patients or interfere with the results of study
11. Platelets ≥30×10E9/L, and absolute lymphocyte count ≥1.0×10E9/L
12. Methylprednisolone (maximum dose 1 mg/kg) or prednisone (maximum dose 1.25 mg/kg) instead of immunosuppressive agents to control the disease.