Gene therapy trial targets inherited dementia
NCT ID NCT04408625
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests a single-dose gene therapy called LY3884963 in 35 people with frontotemporal dementia caused by GRN gene mutations. The therapy aims to raise levels of a missing protein (progranulin) in the brain. Participants receive the treatment via injection into the fluid around the brain and are followed for 5 years to check safety and effects on dementia symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- LY3884963 (a gene therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could slow or stop the progression of frontotemporal dementia in people with GRN mutations by restoring a missing protein.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, first-in-human trial with only 35 participants, so safety and effectiveness are not yet proven. The treatment requires strong immune-suppressing drugs, which carry their own risks.
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 35 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2020
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2029
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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30 to 85 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: * Men or women aged 30 to 85 years (inclusive), at the time of informed consent. * Body weight range of ≥40 kg (88 lbs) to ≤110 kg (242 lb) and a BMI of 18 to 34 kg/m2. * Has symptomatic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), including mild behavioral, cognitive, motor or language impairment per Investigator's assessment (behavioral-variant FTD, primary progressive aphasia-FTD, FTD with corticobasal syndrome, or a combination of syndromes are allowed for enrollment). * Score ≥0.5 and ≤15 on CDR plus NACC FTLD sum of boxes (Cohorts 1-4 only). Note: In Cohort 5 only patients with CDR plus NACC FTLD with sum of boxes ≥0.5 and ≤9 AND global score of 0.5 or 1 will be enrolled. * Stable use of background medications at least 8 weeks prior to LY3884963 dosing. * Carrier of a pathogenic progranulin gene (GRN) mutation. * Negative screening test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) or documented negative MTB test within 1year prior to screening. * Age- and gender-appropriate cancer screenings are up-to-date and completed. * Patient and/or patient's legally authorized representative has the ability to understand the purpose and risks of the study, and provide written informed consent and authorization to use protected health information. * Women of nonchildbearing potential must be either surgically sterile (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, salpingectomy, and/or bilateral oophorectomy at least 26 weeks before Screening) or postmenopausal, defined as spontaneous amenorrhea for at least 2 years, with follicle stimulating hormone level in the postmenopausal range at Screening based on the central laboratory's range. * Men and women of childbearing potential (i.e., ovulating, premenopausal, and not surgically sterile) must use a highly effective method of contraception consistently and correctly for the duration of the study, including the long term follow up. Highly effective methods of contraception are those that, alone or in combination, result in a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly (i.e., perfect use) and include the following for female patients of childbearing potential: * Combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) oral, intravaginal, or transdermal hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation. * Oral, injectable, or implantable progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation. * Intrauterine device. * Intrauterine hormone-releasing system. * Bilateral tubal ligation or bilateral tubal occlusion (performed at least 3 months prior to Screening). * Vasectomized partner (performed at least 3 months prior to Screening). * Sexual abstinence (no sexual intercourse), if in line with the patient's usual and preferred lifestyle. * Acceptable forms of contraception for male patients include: * Sexual abstinence (no sexual intercourse), if in line with the patient's usual and preferred lifestyle. * History of vasectomy (performed at least 3 months prior to Screening, with documented absence of sperm in the ejaculate) in combination with condom. * Condom with spermicide used together with highly effective female contraceptive methods if the female partner(s) is of childbearing potential (see above for list of acceptable female contraceptive methods). Note: Individuals who are in exclusively same sex relationships (as their preferred and usual lifestyle) are not required to use contraception. * Men must agree to use a condom during any sexual intercourse (including male patients who have had a vasectomy) and abstain from sperm donation for the duration of the study, including long-term follow-up. * Women must agree to abstain from egg donation for the duration of the study, including long-term follow-up. * Women of childbearing potential cannot be pregnant or lactating/breastfeeding and must have a negative result for the serum pregnancy test (β-human chorionic gonadotropin) at Screening. * Patient must agree to abstain from blood donation for the first year following gene transfer. * Patient has a reliable study partner/informant (e.g. family member, friend) willing and able to participate in the study as a source of information on the patient's health status and cognitive and functional abilities. * Patient is not dependent on a walker or wheelchair. * Patient is living in the community (i.e. not in nursing home); some levels of assisted living may be permitted at the discretion of the investigator. * Pneumococcal pneumonia and shingles vaccines are required within 10 years of Screening allowed to be performed during Screening but must be given at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of immunosuppressant regimen. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a significant CNS (central nervous system) disease other than frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that may cause FTD symptoms or confound study objectives. * Brain or cervical spine magnetic resonance image (MRI)/MRA imaging showing clinically significant abnormality considered to prevent intracisternal magna (ICM) injection. * Hypersensitivity or contraindications to corticosteroid, and/or sirolimus use. * Clinical evidence of peripheral symmetric sensory polyneuropathy (stable sensory mononeuropathies and radiculopathies are not exclusionary). * Concomitant disease or condition within 6 months of screening that could interfere with, or treatment of which might interfere with, the conduct of the study or that would, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an unacceptable safety risk to the patient or interfere with the patient's ability to comply with study procedures * Clinically significant laboratory test result abnormalities assessed at screening. * Participation within 3 months prior to screening in another therapeutic investigational drug or device study with purported disease-modifying effects on FTD, unless it can be documented that the patient received placebo only. * Any type of prior gene or cell therapy. * Live vaccines in the 4 weeks prior to Screening. NOTE: Pneumococcal vaccine and/or shingles vaccine administration is allowed at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of immunosuppressant regimen. * Use of blood thinners in the 2 weeks prior to screening, or anticipated use of blood thinners during the study. Antiplatelet therapies are acceptable if the patient is medically able to temporarily stop 48 hours to 7 days (depending on the antiplatelet medication used) prior to and at least 48 hours after ICM injection and LP. Note: the use of blood thinners as part of prophylaxis or treatment of an emergent VTE or another AE during the study does not exclude the patient, unless there is a baseline high risk of thromboembolic events, and use of blood thinners is highly anticipated in the opinion of the Investigator. * Contraindications or intolerance to imaging methods (MRA, MRI, and/or computed tomography \[CT\]), including claustrophobia and intolerance to contrast agents used for MRI, MRA, or CT (including, but not limited to, gadolinium contrast agents and iohexol). * Contraindications to general anesthesia or deep sedation. * Positive urine test for drugs of abuse (including opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, barbiturates, and phencyclidine) without prescription at Screening and on Day 1. Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply
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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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AP-HM Hôpital de La Timone
Saint-Pierre, Marseille, 13386, France
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Centre Mémoire de Ressources
Lille, 59000, France
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Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Villaroel 170 Servicio de Neurología
Barcelona, 08036, Spain
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Hospital Universitario de Donostia, Servicio De Neurologia, Consultas Externas Neurologia, San Sebastian, Guipúzcoa
Donostia / San Sebastian, 20014, Spain
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Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3 West Gates Building, 3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road
Burlington, Massachusetts, 01805, United States
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Le Ber, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière
Paris, 75013, France
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PPD Phase 1 Clinic, 100 West Gore Street, Suite 202
Orlando, Florida, 32806, United States
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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Brain & Mind Research Institute, 94 Mallet Street
Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
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UZ Leuven, Neurologie Herestraat 49
Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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University College London,Queen Square, Dementia Research Building, London,
London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
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k2 Medical Research-Maitland
Maitland, Florida, 32751-5669, United States
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