Engineered immune cells take on lupus in tiny trial

NCT ID NCT06038474

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Cartesian Therapeutics Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This Phase 2 trial is testing a new treatment called Descartes-08 for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Descartes-08 uses a patient's own immune cells, modified to target a protein called BCMA, to try to control the disease. Only 6 participants with active lupus despite other treatments are being enrolled to check safety and see if the therapy shows any signs of working.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Descartes-08 (a type of CAR T-cell therapy that targets BCMA)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with lupus that doesn't require lifelong medication.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 6 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. CAR T-cell therapy can cause serious side effects like cytokine release syndrome.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

systemic lupus erythematosus

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Profound Research LLC

Oceanside, California, 92056, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.