Engineered immune cells take on rare muscle disorders

NCT ID NCT07391605

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

Summary

This Phase 2 trial tests a personalized cell therapy called Descartes-08 for people with dermatomyositis or antisynthetase syndrome, two rare autoimmune diseases that cause muscle weakness and inflammation. The therapy uses a patient's own immune cells, modified to target and reduce harmful immune activity. About 60 participants will receive either Descartes-08 or a placebo to see if it leads to major improvement in muscle function and disease control.

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 personalized cell therapy made from the patient's own immune cells, engineered to target and destroy certain immune cells that drive the disease)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with these rare autoimmune muscle diseases, potentially reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 2 trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The therapy is complex and carries risks like infusion reactions or infections. It may not work better than placebo.

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.

antisynthetase syndrome dermatomyositis myositis disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • T13

    RECRUITING

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

  • T23

    RECRUITING

    Austin, Texas, 78759, United States