SELECT-SLE: Biomarker-Guided CAR-T Target Selection for Refractory Lupus

Recruiting now · Phase 1/Phase 2

Conditions studied: REFRACTORY SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, Lupus Nephritis

In brief

study evaluates a biomarker-guided strategy to assign adults with refractory SLE to autologous CAR-T therapy targeting either CD19 or BCMA. Participants undergo centralized screening immunophenotyping to determine whether their disease appears B-cell-dominant (CD19-preferred) or plasma-cell-dominant (BCMA-preferred), followed by leukapheresis, lymphodepletion, and a single CAR-T infusion. The main goals are to assess safety, determine a recommended Phase 2 dose within each arm, and estimate remission rates by Week 24.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07523542

Run by

Beijing Biotech

People needed

24

Starts

2026-03-02

Expected to finish

2028-10-17

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 1. Age 18 to 70 years at consent. 2. Meets 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE, with total score >= 10.
• Active refractory disease at screening, defined by SELENA-SLEDAI >= 8, or at least one BILAG A domain, or at least two BILAG B domains, or active lupus nephritis with significant proteinuria and active urinary sediment.
• Inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to at least 2 prior standard systemic regimens, including at least 1 immunosuppressant or biologic used for SLE or lupus nephritis. 5. Demonstrable targetable biology and assignment to one protocol arm: CD19 arm for measurable CD19-positive B-cell / B-cell-dominant disease, or BCMA arm for BCMA-positive plasmablast / plasma-cell-dominant disease and/or persistent serologic activity after prior B-cell depletion. 6. If active lupus nephritis is present, biopsy-proven class III, IV, V, or mixed proliferative / membranous LN within the previous 24 months, or investigator confirmation that repeat biopsy is unsafe but the clinical picture strongly supports active LN. 7. Adequate organ function: hemoglobin >= 8.5 g/dL, ANC >= 1.0 x 10\^9/L, platelets >= 50 x 10\^9/L, AST / ALT <= 2.5 x ULN, creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min, bilirubin <= 2.0 mg/dL unless otherwise explained, and LVEF >= 50%.
• Adequate venous access and eligibility for leukapheresis. 9. Negative pregnancy test and agreement to use effective contraception for 12 months after infusion.
• Ability to discontinue prohibited SLE medications per washout rules and willingness to comply with inpatient observation and long-term follow-up. 11. Written informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• 1. Active uncontrolled infection, including active tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C with active replication, or HIV.
• Prior CAR-T therapy or prior CD19- or BCMA-directed cell therapy. 3. Severe active CNS lupus requiring urgent escalation of immunosuppression, uncontrolled seizure disorder, or stroke within 60 days before screening. 4. End-stage organ failure not expected to improve with immune reset, such as dialysis-dependent kidney failure, uncontrolled advanced heart failure, or ICU-level respiratory instability. 5. Active malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years, except adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, cervical carcinoma in situ, or other low-risk malignancy in durable remission. 6. Pregnant or breastfeeding. 7. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant history.
• Contraindication to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, leukapheresis, or standard rescue medications for CRS / ICANS. 9. Live vaccine within 4 weeks before lymphodepletion. 10. Participation in another interventional clinical study within 3 months before enrollment.
• Uncontrolled psychiatric disease, active substance misuse, or social circumstances that would impair adherence.
• Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes participation unsafe or confounds interpretation of the study endpoints.

Where it is running

• Peking University Shenzhen Hospital — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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