Immune cell infusion aims to free ARDS patients from ventilators
NCT ID NCT07706855
First seen Jul 16, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests an experimental therapy called GKL-006RTU, made from a type of immune cell (iNKT cells), for people with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening lung condition. The trial has two parts: first, a small group receives the cell infusion to check safety; then, a larger group is randomly assigned to receive either the cell therapy or a placebo, both added to standard care. The main goal is to see if the treatment helps patients spend fewer days on a ventilator.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- an experimental iNKT cell therapy called GKL-006RTU
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a new treatment that helps people with severe ARDS recover faster and spend less time on a ventilator.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 52 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Cell therapies can cause serious side effects like immune reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 52 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female, aged 18 to 80 years (inclusive). 2. Participants (or their legally authorized representatives, if the participant is unable to provide informed consent) who fully understand the nature of the study, voluntarily sign the informed consent form, and are willing to comply with and complete all study procedures during the study period. 3. Clinically diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) according to the diagnostic criteria, with a time from diagnosis to enrollment not exceeding 96 hours. 4. The etiology of ARDS is confirmed to be infectious. 5. Received active treatment (including anti-infective therapy and lung-protective ventilation strategies) for at least 24 hours; and arterial blood gas analysis results within 6 hours prior to enrollment support the diagnosis of moderate-to-severe ARDS (defined as Arterial Partial Pressure of Oxygen/Fraction of Inspired Oxygen Ratio (PaO2/FiO2) ≤ 200 mmHg and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure \[PEEP\] ≥ 5 cmH2O). 6. Participants and their partners must have no plans for reproduction, sperm donation, or egg donation for at least 6 months after the last dose of study drug, and must voluntarily adopt effective contraceptive measures deemed appropriate by the investigator. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Positive screening for infectious diseases meeting any of the following: a)Active Hepatitis B virus infection (defined as \[positive Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) or positive Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HBcAb)\] with Hepatitis B Virus DNA \[HBV-DNA\] above the upper limit of normal); b) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (defined as positive HCV antibody with HCV-RNA above the upper limit of normal); c) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection (defined as positive HIV antibody); d) Syphilis infection (defined as positive Treponema pallidum antibody). 2. Known immune system dysfunction (e.g., primary immunodeficiency, acquired immunodeficiency) or currently receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy. 3. Expected survival time of less than 72 hours. 4. Occurrence of a cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event (unstable angina, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke) within the past 6 months; or severe cardiovascular disease at screening: New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification Class III or higher; uncontrolled myocarditis or valvular disease; hemodynamic instability, severe cardiac dysfunction, malignant arrhythmias, or severe rhythm/conduction abnormalities requiring drug therapy within the past 6 months. 5. Currently receiving or expected to receive Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during the trial period. 6. Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction at screening: long-term hemodialysis and known severe renal impairment with an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m² (calculation method detailed in Appendix 6), currently requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT); or moderate to severe liver failure (Child-Pugh score \> 12 ). 7. Severe hematological abnormalities at screening: evidence of bleeding with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≥ 2.0; severe anemia (Hemoglobin \[Hb\] \< 60 g/L); moderate or greater thrombocytopenia (Platelets \[PLT\] \< 50×10⁹/L); Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC); leukemia; or other hematological abnormalities deemed unsuitable for enrollment. 8. Severe end-stage respiratory diseases at screening (e.g., COPD with respiratory failure, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure, etc., excluding ARDS). 9. History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 6 months prior to enrollment. 10. History of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 11. Severe cardiopulmonary malformations at screening that significantly affect cardiopulmonary function. 12. Severe neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia). 13. ARDS caused by other etiologies (e.g., trauma, aspiration). 14. Pregnant or lactating women. 15. Cumulative corticosteroid use equivalent to \> 400 mg of prednisone within 3 weeks prior to screening. 16. Known hypersensitivity to any component of the investigational product, or a history of severe allergies deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator. 17. Receipt of cell therapy within 6 months prior to screening.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Scientists build a biobank to decode ARDS and personalize treatment