Gene therapy injection tested for ALS safety
NCT ID NCT02039401
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tested whether a gene therapy called VM202 is safe when injected into muscles of 18 people with ALS. The study focused on side effects over 9 months, not on whether the treatment improves symptoms. All participants had ALS for less than 2 years and had at least moderate lung function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- VM202 (a gene therapy given as injections into muscles)
- What this could lead to
- If safe, this could pave the way for larger studies testing whether VM202 slows muscle decline in ALS.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial (18 people) focused only on safety. It cannot prove whether VM202 helps ALS symptoms or changes the disease course.
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
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18 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2014
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
21 to 75 years
- Sex
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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: * Age ≥ 21 years, but \< or = 75 years * Subjects diagnosed with: * clinically definite Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, * clinically probable Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or * clinically probable-laboratory supported Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis as specified in the revised El Escorial / Airlie House diagnostic criteria * Onset of ALS \< 2 years at Screening * Forced Vital Capacity ≥ 60% of predicted * Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale ≥ 30 * Not taking riluzole, or on a stable dose for at least thirty days prior to Screening (defined as no noted toxicities) * Able and willing to give informed consent * If female of childbearing potential, negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and using acceptable method of birth control during the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological symptom(s) due to vitamin B12 deficiency * Requires tracheotomy ventilation or noninvasive ventilation \> 16 hours / day * Comorbidities such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, renal failure, or any other severe complication that, in the Investigator's opinion, will compromise the safety of the patient or confound interpretation of the data collected in this study * Other neuromuscular disease * Inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels (inflammatory angiopathy, such as Buerger's disease) * Active infection * Chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis) * Positive HIV or HTLV at Screening * Active Hepatitis B or C as determined by Hepatitis B core antibody, antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (IgG and IgM), Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C antibodies at Screening * Subjects with known immunosuppression or currently receiving immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Stroke or myocardial infarction within last 3 months * Patients with a recent history (\< 5 years) of malignant neoplasm except basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (if excised and no evidence of recurrence); * Subjects requiring \> 81 mg daily of acetylsalicylic acid; subjects may be enrolled if willing/able to switch to ≤ 81 mg daily of acetylsalicylic acid or to another medication * Subjects requiring regular COX-2 inhibitor drug(s) or non-specific COX-1/COX-2 inhibiting drugs, or high dose steroids (excepting inhaled steroids); subjects may be enrolled if willing/able to undergo medication wash-out prior to the first dosing and to refrain from taking these drugs for the duration of the study * Have used an investigational drug within 30 days of Screening * Pregnant or currently lactating * Major psychiatric disorder in past 6 months * Known drug or alcohol dependence or any other factors which will interfere with the study conduct or interpretation of the results or who in the opinion of the Investigator are not suitable to participate.
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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
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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