Gene therapy zolgensma tested in kids with SMA who can sit but not stand
NCT ID NCT03381729
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 1 trial tested a gene therapy called AVXS-101 (Zolgensma) in 32 children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who could sit but not stand or walk. The therapy delivers a working SMN gene via a spinal injection to help improve muscle function. The study focused on safety and how well children tolerated different doses.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma), a gene therapy delivered via spinal injection
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a treatment option for children with spinal muscular atrophy who can sit but not yet stand or walk, potentially improving motor function.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 1 trial with only 32 participants, so results are preliminary. The trial was terminated, which may limit data. Gene therapy carries risks like immune reactions or liver issues.
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
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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32 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2017
- Finished
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Nov 2021
- 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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6 to 60 months
- 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.
Key Inclusion Criteria * Patients ≥6 months and up to 60 months (1800 days) of age at time of dosing following diagnostic confirmation during screening period by genotype who demonstrate the ability to sit unassisted for 10 or more seconds but cannot stand or walk * Diagnostic confirmation by genotype includes lab documentation of homozygous absence of SMN1 exon 7; with exactly three copies of SMN2 * Negative gene testing for SMN2 gene modifier mutation (c.859G\>C) * Onset of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at \< 12 months of age * Able to sit independently and not standing or walking independently. Definition of sitting independently is defined by the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study (WHO-MGRS) criteria of being able to sit up unsupported with head erect for at least 10 seconds. Child should not use arms or hands to balance body or support position (Wijnhoven 2004) * Be up-to-date on childhood vaccines that include palivizumab prophylaxis (also known as Synagis) to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are also recommended in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP 2009) Key Exclusion Criteria * Current or historical ability to stand or walk independently * Contraindications for spinal tap procedure or administration of intrathecal therapy or presence of an implanted shunt for the drainage of CSF or an implanted central venous (CNS) catheter * Severe contractures as determined by designated Physical Therapist(s) at screening that interfere with either the ability to attain/demonstrate functional measures or interferes with ability to receive intrathecal (IT) dosing * Severe scoliosis (defined as ≥ 50° curvature of spine) evident on X-ray examination * Previous, planned or expected scoliosis repair surgery/procedure within 1 year of dose administration * Use of invasive ventilatory support (tracheotomy with positive pressure) or pulse oximetry \< 95% saturation at screening while the patient is awake, or for high altitudes \> 1000 m, oxygen saturation \< 92% while the patient is awake * Pulse oximetry saturation must not decrease ≥ four (4) percentage points between screening and highest value on day of dosing * Use or requirement of non-invasive ventilatory support for 12 or more hours daily over the two (2) weeks prior to dosing * Medical necessity for a gastric feeding tube, where the majority of feedings are given by non-oral methods (i.e., nasogastric tube or nasojejunal tube) or patients whose weight-for-age falls below the 3rd percentile based on WHO Child Growth Standards (Onis 2006). Placement of a permanent gastrostomy prior to screening is not an exclusion * Use or requirement of non-invasive ventilatory support for 12 or more hours daily over the two (2) weeks prior to dosing * Medical necessity for a gastric feeding tube, where the majority of feedings are given by non-oral methods or patients whose weight-for-age falls below the 3rd percentile based on WHO Child Growth Standards (Onis 2006). Placement of a permanent gastrostomy prior to screening is not an exclusion * Active viral infection (includes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or serology positive for hepatitis B or C, or Zika virus) * Serious non-respiratory tract illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within two (2) weeks prior to study entry * Respiratory infection requiring medical attention, medical intervention or increase in supportive care of any manner within four (4) weeks prior to study entry * Severe non-pulmonary/respiratory tract infection within four (4) weeks before study dosing or concomitant illness that in the opinion of the Principal Investigator (PI) creates unnecessary risks for gene transfer such as: * Major renal or hepatic impairment * Known seizure disorder * Diabetes mellitus * Idiopathic hypocalciuria * Symptomatic cardiomyopathy * History of bacterial meningitis or brain or spinal cord disease, including tumors, or abnormalities by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) that would interfere with the lumbar puncture (LP) procedures or CSF circulation * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to prednisolone or other glucocorticosteroids or their excipients * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to iodine or iodine-containing products * Concomitant use of any of the following: drugs for treatment of myopathy or neuropathy, agents used to treat diabetes mellitus, or ongoing immunosuppressive therapy, plasmapheresis, immunomodulators such as adalimumab, or immunosuppressive therapy within 3 months of study dosing * Inability to withhold use of laxatives or diuretics in the 24 hours prior to dose administration * Anti-AAV9 antibody titers \>1:50 as determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) binding immunoassay * Should a potential patient demonstrate anti AAV9 antibody titer \> 1:50, he or she may receive retesting within 30 days of the screening period and will be eligible to participate if the anti AAV9 antibody titer upon retesting is ≤ 1:50 * Clinically significant abnormal laboratory values (GGT, ALT, and AST, or total bilirubin \> 2 × ULN, creatinine ≥ 1.0 mg/dL, hemoglobin \[Hgb\] \< 8 or \> 18 g/dL; white blood cell \[WBC\] \> 20,000 per cmm) prior to gene replacement therapy. Patients with an elevated bilirubin level that is unequivocally the result of neonatal jaundice shall not be excluded * Participation in recent SMA treatment clinical trial or receipt of an investigational or approved compound product or therapy received with the intent to treat SMA at any time prior to screening for this study * Oral beta agonists must be discontinued 30 days prior to dosing. * Inhaled albuterol specifically prescribed for the purposes of respiratory (bronchodilator) management is acceptable and not a contraindication at any time prior to screening for this study * Expectation of major surgical procedures during the 1-year study assessment period
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Johns Hopkins
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
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Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Nemours Children's Hospital
Orlando, Florida, 32827, United States
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Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94305, United States
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UCLA
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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UT Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a muscle-boosting antibody help people with spinal muscular atrophy over the long haul?
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