Experimental gene therapy aims to fix cystinosis at the source
NCT ID NCT03897361
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tested a gene therapy for cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes cystine crystals to build up in cells, damaging organs. Researchers took blood stem cells from 6 patients, added a working copy of the faulty gene, and infused the corrected cells back into the patients. The goal was to see if the treatment is safe and can lower cystine levels, potentially reducing the need for daily medication.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- gene-modified stem cells (CTNS-RD-04)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a one-time treatment that reduces or eliminates the need for daily cystine-lowering medication in people with cystinosis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial with only 6 participants. The gene therapy may not work for everyone, and there are risks from the stem cell transplant procedure, including possible side effects or complications.
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
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
7 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2019
- Finished
-
Sep 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: The following criteria must be met by all subjects considered for study participation. 1. Cohorts 1 and 2: Male or female subject is ≥ 18 years of age. 2. Cohort 3: Male or female subject is ≥ 14 years of age. 3. Subject is diagnosed with cystinosis, i.e., early onset of Fanconi syndrome, and history of elevated white blood cell cystine level and/or history of or presence of cystine crystals in the eye. 4. Subject has a Karnofsky Performance Status or age-dependent Lansky Performance of ≥ 60. 5. If subject has had a kidney transplant, he or she must be at least one-year post kidney transplant status. 6. Subject has adequate hematologic function: 1. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 1000/mm\^3 2. Platelet count ≥ 100 x 1000/mm\^3 3. Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 gm/dL 7. Subject has an adequate hepatic function: 1. Bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/ dL 2. ALT ≤ 3 x institution's upper limit of normal (ULN) U/L 8. Subject has an adequate renal function: a. Serum creatinine \<2x ULN mg/dL 9. Subject has adequate coagulation: 1. PT/aPTT ≤ 1.2 x ULN seconds 2. INR ≤ 2 10. Subject has adequate thyroid function (with or without thyroid replacement therapy): 1. TSH 0.27-4.2 mIU/mL 2. Total T4 ≤ 2 x ULN mcg/dL 11. If female: female of childbearing potential (i.e., not surgically sterile \[tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy\] or not at least 2 years naturally postmenopausal) agrees to remain sexually abstinent or utilize the same acceptable form of highly effective contraception from screening through two years post-transplant. The acceptable forms of contraception for this study include hormonal contraceptives (oral, implant, transdermal patch, or injection) associated with inhibition of ovulation at a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to screening, barrier (condom with spermicide, diaphragm with spermicide), intrauterine device, or a partner who has been vasectomized for at least 6 months and has documented medical assessment of surgical success of a vasectomy. Note: males with cystinosis are sterile. 12. If male: males must agree to remain sexually abstinent or utilize an acceptable form of highly effective contraception from screening through two years post-transplant. 13. Subject is willing and able to comply with the study restrictions and requirements. 14. Subject is willing to provide written informed consent/permission/assent prior to participation in the study. 15. Subject must be willing to refrain from donating sperm after receiving the conditioning regimen. For subjects planning on (or for whom there is a possibility of) fathering children in the future, sperm banking prior to administration of conditioning regimen will be recommended. 16. Subject must be willing to refrain from donating blood, organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation from 30 days prior to screening through any time after CTNS-RD-04 treatment. 17. Subject must be willing and must be able (in the judgment of the investigator) to discontinue his or her cysteamine therapy (oral and/or eye drop). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subject has an active, uncontrolled, acute bacterial, viral, or fungal infection during screening or within 30 days prior to starting the conditioning regimen. 2. Subject has positive serology at screening for any of the following: 1. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 1-2 2. Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) - I/II 3. Hepatitis B core and Hepatitis B PCR positive 4. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) 5. Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) 6. Chagas' Disease (T. curzi) 7. QuantiferonTB 8. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for HIV 9. West Nile Virus (WNV) 3. Subject has a known clinically significant immunodeficiency disorder. 4. Subject is a female of childbearing potential that is nursing, planning a pregnancy or has a positive serum pregnancy test. 5. Subject has received a prior marrow or stem cell transplantation or is planning to receive one within 90 days of study initiation. 6. Subject has had an active bleeding disorder within 90 days prior to screening OR requires anticoagulation therapy prior to treatment with ex vivo gene therapy. 7. Subject has an active malignancy or history of malignancy including lymphoma (except primary, cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell cancer appropriately treated prior to transplantation). 8. Subject has an end-stage renal disease (defined as GFR \<15 mL/min) and is already on a transplantation list or who may be planning to register for a kidney transplant within 90 days of study initiation. 9. Subject has impaired pulmonary function (based on FEV1 of \<=50% of predicted or DLCO of \<=40 % of predicted and gender-specific normal threshold value). 10. Subject has impaired cardiac function within 90 days prior to screening including any of the following: 1. Myocardial infarction 2. Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) 3. Ejection fraction of \< 40% 4. Uncontrolled arrhythmia 5. Other clinically significant heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, history of labile hypertension). 11. Subject has a severe or uncontrolled medical disorder (e.g., pancreatitis, severe liver disease, unstable diabetes mellitus) that would, in the investigators' opinion, impair their ability to receive study treatment and follow the study procedures. 12. Subject has a history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Busulfan or allergy or contraindication to use of other agents used in the study, including iohexol, acid-citrate-dextrose Formula A (ACDA), G-CSF or plerixafor. 13. Subject has a known history of drug or alcohol addiction. 14. Subject has undergone major surgery within 90 days (or longer if not fully recovered) prior to screening. 15. Subject is receiving cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents, other than for kidney transplant, within 60 days prior to screening or requires treatment with such agents prior to treatment with ex vivo gene therapy. 16. Subject has previously received gene therapy at any time. 17. Subject is currently receiving or anticipates receiving another investigational agent, device, or procedure from 30 days prior to screening through study completion. 18. Subject has any condition, in the opinion of the investigator, that compromises compliance with study requirements.
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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
-
University of California San Diego
La Jolla, California, 92093, United States
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