Engineered immune cells take on rare muscle disorders
NCT ID NCT07391605
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026 · Updated 3 times
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.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2026
- Expected to finish
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May 2028
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 years and older
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of one of the following: Dermatomyositis (DM): Probability score ≥55% on the 2017 EULAR/ACR (European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology/ American College of Rheumatology) criteria for classification of dermatomyositis (corresponding to diagnosis of 'probable or definite' DM). OR Antisynthetase Syndrome (ASyS): Diagnosis based on ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria (1)." * Participants must have dermatomyositis or antisynthetase syndrome with muscle and/or skin involvement. * Refractory or intolerance to standard therapy. * Stable background immunosuppressive therapy for ≥8 weeks. * Adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic, and pulmonary function (SpO₂ ≥92% on room air). * Informed consent, compliance with visits, contraception, and vaccinations required. Exclusion Criteria: * Isolated interstitial lung disease (ILD) without muscle or skin involvement * Severe irreversible muscle damage or advanced weakness (e.g., wheelchair-bound). * Interstitial lung disease (ILD) requiring oxygen, severe pulmonary impairment (FVC ≤45%, DLCO ≤40%), or pulmonary hypertension. * Other inflammatory myopathies (PM, IMNM, IBM, cancer- or drug-induced myositis, overlap myositis except Sjögren's). * Other severe neuromuscular, cardiac, pulmonary, or systemic autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppression. * Significant uncontrolled chronic illnesses or psychiatric conditions interfering with participation. * Pregnancy or lactation. * Recent use of prohibited immunosuppressants/biologics or investigational agents (per washout periods). * Live vaccination within 4 weeks. * History of primary immunodeficiency, organ or bone marrow transplant. * Active or uncontrolled infections: HBV, HCV, HIV, tuberculosis, or recurrent/severe infections.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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 study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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National Neuromuscular Research Institute
RECRUITINGAustin, Texas, 78759, United States
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University of California, Irvine
RECRUITINGOrange, California, 92868, United States
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University of North Carolina
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
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