One-Time gene therapy aims to halt fatal brain disease in children
NCT ID NCT02716246
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This trial tests a one-time gene therapy called UX111 for children with Sanfilippo A, a rare genetic disorder that causes severe brain damage. The therapy delivers a working copy of the missing gene to cells. Researchers will measure whether it reduces harmful substances in the brain and improves development. The study is currently recruiting 36 participants.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- UX111 (a gene therapy that delivers a working copy of the SGSH gene into cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could slow or stop the progression of Sanfilippo A, a severe genetic brain disease, potentially allowing children to live longer with better function.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-to-mid-stage trial with only 36 participants. Gene therapy carries risks like immune reactions or the treatment not reaching enough cells. Lifelong monitoring is needed.
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 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
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About 36 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2016
- Expected to finish
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Mar 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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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- 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: * Diagnosis of MPS IIIA confirmed by the following methods: * No detectable or significantly reduced SGSH enzyme activity by leukocyte assay, and * Genomic DNA analysis demonstrating homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the SGSH gene (based upon review of documented results from a qualified laboratory, and with confirmation with Medical Monitor) * Age: * For Cohort 1-3: From birth (participating sites in USA and Australia) OR 6 months (participating sites in Spain) to 2 years of age with no BSITD-III Cognitive Development Quotient (DQ) requirement, or older than 2 years with a BSITD-III Cognitive DQ of 60 or above (participating sites globally). * For Cohort 4 (participating sites in Spain): 3 months to ≤ 2 years of age with no BSITD-III Cognitive DQ requirement or \> 2 years of age with a BSITD-III Cognitive DQ ≥ 60 (n = up to 6). Up to 2 additional subjects \> 2 years and ≤ 5 years of age with a BSITD-III Cognitive DQ \< 60 may also be enrolled. •Subjects must be ≥ 6 months of age before UX111 administration. However, subjects may be consented and initiate relevant Screening Procedures and IM treatment \< 6 months of age. Refer to Section 8.2 for relevant screening procedures •For children ≤ 24 months chronological age who were born prematurely, defined as born at \< 36 weeks gestational age, the corrected gestational age must be used for determining inclusion •The BSITD-III Cognitive DQ is assessed during the onsite Screening visit, for subjects who require it •The age of the child on the date of the Screening BSITD-III assessment is used to determine the requirement for the BSITD-III Cognitive DQ score. * Cohort 4 only: Vaccination status based on age according to country-specific guidelines that is up to date 30 days prior to Enrollment as verified by documentation from the subject's primary care physician, and willing to defer vaccines through 6 months after completion of the subject's IM medication, or longer per Principal Investigator (PI) judgment. Emergency use authorization or conditional marketing authorization of coronavirus disease (COVID) vaccines is included unless there is an accepted medical exemption. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to participate in the clinical evaluation as determined by PI * Cohorts 1 to 3 only: Identification of two nonsense or null variants on genetic testing of the SGSH gene (based upon review of documented results from a qualified laboratory, and with confirmation with Medical Monitor) * At least one S298P mutation in the SGSH gene (based upon review of documented results from a qualified laboratory, and with confirmation with Medical Monitor) * Has evidence of an attenuated phenotype of MPS IIIA, in the judgement of the PI * Presence of a concomitant medical condition that precludes lumbar puncture or use of anesthetics * Active viral infection based on clinical observations * Concomitant illness or requirement for chronic drug treatment that in the opinion of the PI creates unnecessary risks for gene transfer or precludes the child from participating in the protocol assessments and follow up * Cohorts 1 to 3 only: Subjects with total anti-AAV9 antibody titers ≥ 1:100 equivalent to a positive screen as determined by ELISA binding assay in serum * Cohorts 1-3 only: Subjects with a positive response for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISpot) for T-cell responses to AAV9 * Cohorts 1-3 only: Serology consistent with exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or serology consistent with active hepatitis B or C infection, Cohort 4: Current clinically significant infections (including any requiring systemic treatment including, but not limited to, HIV; hepatitis A, B, or C; varicella zosters virus; human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 \[HTLV-1\]; tuberculosis; or COVID-19) that would interfere with participation in the study. * Bleeding disorder or any other medical condition or circumstance in which a lumbar puncture (for collection of CSF) is contraindicated according to local institutional policy * Visual, hearing, or other impairment sufficient to preclude cooperation with neurodevelopmental testing * Uncontrolled seizure disorder * Any item (braces, etc.) or circumstance that would exclude the subject from being able to undergo MRI according to local institutional policy * Any other situation that precludes the subject from undergoing procedures required in this study * Subjects with cardiomyopathy or significant congenital heart abnormalities * The presence of significant non-MPS IlIA related CNS impairment or behavioral disturbances that would confound the scientific rigor or interpretation of results of the study * Cohorts 1-3: Abnormal laboratory values Grade 2 or higher as defined in common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) v4.03 for gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin, creatinine, hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), Cohort 4: Any of the following abnormal laboratory values from screening assessment: * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), GGT, and/or alkaline phosphatase ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN) and/or total bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN * Anemia (hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL) * Leukopenia or leukocytosis (total WBC count \< 3,000/mm3 and \> 15,000/mm3 respectively) * Abnormal absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of \< 1000/mm3 * Platelet count \< 100,000/mm3 * Coagulopathy (international normalized ratio \[INR\] \> 1.5) or aPTT \> 40 seconds * Renal impairment, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below the lower limit of normal (age and sex appropriate) based on Bedside Schwartz equation * Female of childbearing potential who is pregnant or demonstrates a positive urine or bhCG result at screening assessment (if applicable) * Cohorts 1-3: Any vaccination with viral attenuated vaccines less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date of treatment (and use of prednisolone) * Previous treatment by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation * Previous participation in a gene/cell therapy or enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) clinical trial Cohort 4 only: * Known hypersensitivity, that in the judgment of the PI, places the subject at increased risk for adverse effects. * Unwilling to avoid consumption of grapefruit juice and the use of strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or P-gp (eg, ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, telithromycin, or clarithromycin), strong inducers of CYP3A4 and/or P-gp (eg, rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, or phenytoin), and St. John's Wort from 30 days prior to Screening through completion of the IM regimen.
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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
2 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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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
COMPLETEDPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States
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Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago
RECRUITINGSantiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain
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Nationwide Children's Hospital
COMPLETEDColumbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
RECRUITINGBarcelona, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
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Women's and Children's Hospital
COMPLETEDNorth Adelaide, South Australia, 5006, Australia
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