Experimental drug aims to rebuild immunity against rare brain infection
NCT ID NCT04781309
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested a drug called NT-I7 in 12 adults with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a serious brain infection that occurs in people with weakened immune systems. The goal was to see if NT-I7 could increase the number of infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes) to help control the virus. Participants received up to 3 injections and were followed for 12 to 19 months with blood tests, brain scans, and spinal taps.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2021
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
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 to 120 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.
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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: * Adults (18 years of age or older) * Definite or Probable PML (2013 AAN Consensus Diagnostic Criteria) * CD4 and/or CD8 lymphopenia \<= 200 cells/dL that is not readily reversible within one month * Enrolled in 13-N-0017 * Ability to provide own consent at study entry * Ability to travel to NIH for study visits * Willingness to comply with all study procedures * If able to become pregnant or to father a child, patient must agree to commit to the use of a reliable/accepted method of birth control (i.e. hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injected hormones, vaginal ring), intrauterine device, barrier methods with spermicide (diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide) or surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or vasectomy) for the duration of the study EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Age \< 18 years of age * Ongoing treatment with immune-suppressive medications (exception: topical steroid use and all forms of systemic steroids with durations less than 2 weeks) * History of immune-mediated disease affecting vital organ * Concurrent treatment with experimental therapies for PML that would interfere with or confound assessment of study outcomes * History of underlying autoimmune disease involving the CNS * Contraindication to any study procedures that would compromise ability to safely monitor the patient * History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial or interfere with study participation; or not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding * Unwilling to have coded samples and/or data saved or used in other studies
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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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