Anti-CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy for Patients With Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by B-cell dysfunction leading to the production of autoantibodies that play a key role in the onset and progression of the disease. In the treatment of SLE today, glucocorticosteroid hormones, cytostatics (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, hydroxychloroquine, etc.), and biological therapy (rituximab, belimumab) are widely used. However, this therapy has limitations: firstly, it does not always control the autoimmune process and, secondly, it has side effects. Recent global data on the use of CAR T cells in patients with SLE show promising results, including rapid and durable remission, without the need for disease-modifying drugs and glucocorticoids. The use of the so-called academic CAR-T cell products can improve availability and affordability of this therapy option. The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of academic CAR-T cells in refractory SLE patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: System Lupus Erythematosus(SLE)
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: CAR T cells chimeric antigen receptor cells

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 12

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Belarus
  • Minsk Oblast
    • Lyasny, Minsk Oblast, Belarus, 223040
      • NN Alexandrov National Cancer Centre of Belarus

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with refractory SLE treated in N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Center

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. A confirmed diagnosis of SLE according to the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria.
2. Subacute or acute SLE.
3. SLE activity according to the SELENA-SLEDAI disease activity index screening score ≥6 and/or the requirement for prednisolone (or equivalent doses of methylprednisolone) at a dose greater than 7.5 mg/day (6 mg/day for methylprednisolone) to maintain lower disease activity.
4. A history of two or more prior therapies (one of the drugs mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide, or the development of side effects/intolerance to these drugs).
5. Patients aged 18 years or older.
6. A medical consultation on the need for this treatment method using cell therapy.
7. Written informed consent from the patient for treatment.
8. Patient compliance with the treatment protocol.
9. Adequate organ function.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any change in therapy within 90 days prior to the planned administration of CAR-T cell therapy.
2. Patient requiring renal replacement therapy.
3. Active hepatitis B or active hepatitis C (HCV RNA positive).
4. HIV-infected patients.
5. Uncontrolled acute life-threatening bacterial, viral, or fungal infection (e.g., positive blood culture ≤ 72 hours before infusion).
6. Unstable angina and/or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to screening.

7. Previous or concomitant malignancy with the exception of:

   • basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma (adequate wound healing is required before study entry);
   • In situ carcinoma of the cervix or breast, without evidence of recurrence for at least 3 years prior to study entry;
   • A primary malignant tumor that has been completely resected and in complete remission for ≥ 5 years.
8. Pregnant and lactating women.
9. Intolerance to the excipients of the cell product.
10. Cardiac arrhythmia not controlled by medical therapy.
11. Patients with active neurological autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
12. The presence of any primary immunodeficiency.

13. Socioeconomic or geographic circumstances that cannot guarantee adequate compliance with the protocol requirements for treatment and follow-up.

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Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
SELENA-SLEDAI activity index assessment and serologic remission (defined as normal level of primary (dsDNA and/or antiSm) and antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant (LA), AT to cardiolipinanti-dsDNA and normal complement C3 and C4 levels)	SELENA-SLEDAI (Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) Score Interpretation: 0 points: Remission / no activity 1-4 points: Low activity 5-10 points: Moderate activity > 10 points: High activity (Scores ≥ 6 typically indicate active disease requiring treatment)	36 months after CAR-T cells infusion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Evaluation of CAR T-Cell-Related Toxicities	Evaluation of Cytokine Release Syndrom (CRS) according NCCN guidelines version 2.2026. Immune Effector cell-associated Neurotoxicity Syndrom (ICANS) accordin NCCN guidelines version 2.2026.	Start from 0 day up to 30 days after CAR-T cells infusion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre
• Collaborators: Minsk scientific and practical center of surgery, transplantology and hematology

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 17, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 17, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: safety; efficacy; academic CAR-T cell product refractory; refractory SLE
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
• Other Study ID Numbers: 20251677

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No