QEL-005 cell therapy for systemic sclerosis and hard-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis

Trial details

Who runs it

Quell Therapeutics Limited

Trial code

NCT07473154

Record updated

19 October 2026

Original description

This study is a Phase 1/2, open-label clinical trial to test an experimental treatment called QEL-005 in adults with two autoimmune conditions: diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA). The main goals are to find out whether QEL-005 is safe, how well people tolerate it, and whether it may help reduce disease activity or improve symptoms.Read full original descriptionShow less

Phase I/II Study of QEL-005 in Patients With Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (dcSSc) and in Patients With Difficult to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (D2TRA).

This study is a Phase 1/2, open-label clinical trial to test an experimental treatment called QEL-005 in adults with two autoimmune conditions: diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA). The main goals are to find out whether QEL-005 is safe, how well people tolerate it, and whether it may help reduce disease activity or improve symptoms.

QEL-005 is made from a participant's own white blood cells (autologous cells). These cells are collected and then changed in a laboratory using genetic methods to create specialized immune cells called CAR-T regulatory cells that target a protein on B cells called CD19. These modified cells are then given back to the participant by intravenous (IV) infusion.

To take part, eligible participants will first have a procedure called leukapheresis, where some of their white blood cells are removed from the blood. The study team will use these cells to manufacture QEL005. After QEL005 is ready, participants will receive an IV infusion of their modified cells, stay in hospital overnight for monitoring, and will then be followed closely in the clinic.

Throughout the trial, participants will have regular safety checks, which may include blood tests, imaging scans, questionnaires about symptoms and daily functioning, and biopsies taken from involved tissues, to help understand how QEL005 is working in the body. Detailed follow up will be for 1 year after QEL-005 infusion, and there is long-term follow up for a total of 15 years, which is standard for cell therapies. The information from this Phase 1/2 study will help determine an appropriate dose and dosing schedule of QEL005 for future studies.

Inclusion: Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent; Up to date vaccination status and no planned vaccinations for post 3 months infusion; Adequate haematological, liver and renal function; Willing to undergo annual influenza vaccination; Willing to enter a 15-year follow-up; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade < 3; Able and willing to use a highly effective method of contraception; Stable dose of steroid prior to screening; Specific inclusion criteria for participants with difficult to treat rheumatoid Arthritis (D2TRA) only:; Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) per 2010 ACR-EULAR criteria; Diagnosis of D2TRA per 2021 EULAR criteria; Evidence of clinically active disease a defined by validated clinical or laboratory results consistent with standard definitions of active RA; Evidence of inflammation in target joints used for the DAS28 CRP assessment; Specific inclusion criteria for participants with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) only:; Diagnosis of dcSSc as per the 2013 ACR-EULAR criteria; Serologically positive for antinuclear antibodies; Failure to respond sufficiently to immunomodulatory disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); Skin involvement with a total modified Rodnan Skin Score of at least 15; Evidence of lung fibrosis based on imaging or pulmonary function testing; Evidence of active disease based on a validated SSc activity assessment.

Exclusion: Immunodeficiency or receiving immunoglobulin replacement therapy; Use of investigational agents within a pre-defined period prior to study screening; Received a previous cell therapy; Received certain B cell related experimental therapies in a clinical trial with the past year; Any solid organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant; Receiving prohibited medication that cannot be stopped at screening; History or concern of autoimmune diseases other than those under study; Active infection, or recurrent chronic infection requiring intervention; Past or current infection with hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis, syphilis, or HIV; Clinically significant cardiac dysfunction or severe pulmonary impairment; History of malignancy in the past 5 years; Presence of a significant medical condition(s), or clinically significant laboratory abnormality.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07473154