Engineered immune cells with 'Off Switch' tested for tough leukemia

NCT ID NCT03016377

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a new type of CAR-T cell therapy for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The cells are engineered to recognize and kill leukemia cells, but also include a safety switch that can be turned on to calm them down if side effects become severe. The main goal is to see if this approach is safe and to find the best dose.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

iC9-CAR19 T cells (engineered immune cells with a safety switch) and rimiducid (a drug to activate the safety switch)

What this could lead to

If this trial succeeds, it could point toward a safer way to use CAR-T cell therapy for leukemia, reducing severe side effects like cytokine release syndrome.

What could go wrong

This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 15 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment still carries risks of serious side effects, and the safety switch may not work as expected.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute lymphoblastic leukemia cytokine release syndrome immune system disorder immunoproliferative disorder leukemia precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States