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Controlling Hyperactive Immunity With Long-lived Lymphocytes
Sponsor: Quell Therapeutics Limited
Summary
This study is a Phase 1/2, open-label clinical trial to test an experimental treatment called QEL-005 in adults with two autoimmune conditions: diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA). The main goals are to find out whether QEL-005 is safe, how well people tolerate it, and whether it may help reduce disease activity or improve symptoms. QEL-005 is made from a participant's own white blood cells (autologous cells). These cells are collected and then changed in a laboratory using genetic methods to create specialized immune cells called CAR-T regulatory cells that target a protein on B cells called CD19. These modified cells are then given back to the participant by intravenous (IV) infusion. To take part, eligible participants will first have a procedure called leukapheresis, where some of their white blood cells are removed from the blood. The study team will use these cells to manufacture QEL005. After QEL005 is ready, participants will receive an IV infusion of their modified cells, stay in hospital overnight for monitoring, and will then be followed closely in the clinic. Throughout the trial, participants will have regular safety checks, which may include blood tests, imaging scans, questionnaires about symptoms and daily functioning, and biopsies taken from involved tissues, to help understand how QEL005 is working in the body. Detailed follow up will be for 1 year after QEL-005 infusion, and there is long-term follow up for a total of 15 years, which is standard for cell therapies. The information from this Phase 1/2 study will help determine an appropriate dose and dosing schedule of QEL005 for future studies.
Official title: Phase I/II Study of QEL-005 in Patients With Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (dcSSc) and in Patients With Difficult to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (D2TRA).
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
16
Start Date
2026-04
Completion Date
2028-08
Last Updated
2026-03-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
QEL-005
QEL-005 is an autologous cell therapy that is composed of engineered regulatory T cells transduced with a lentiviral vector containing a CAR directed against the B cell marker CD19. Treatment will be given via an IV infusion.
Locations (6)
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds, United Kingdom
Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle, United Kingdom
University of Oxford - The Kennedy Institute
Oxford, United Kingdom