Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are systemic inflammatory disorders driven by dysregulated immune responses that can affect multiple organs, including the lungs. Examples include Behçet disease, IgG4-related disease, and systemic sclerosis (SSc). IMID-related lung involvement may cause progressive lung damage, impaired lung function, disability, and increased mortality, but effective targeted treatment options remain limited. This clinical trial will study nebulized human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles, also called UC-EVs, in adults with recurrent or refractory IMIDs with lung involvement.
This trial is an investigator initiated, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation trial. The main goal is to learn whether nebulized UC-EVs are safe and tolerable in adults with recurrent or refractory IMIDs with lung involvement.\]. Researchers will also look for early signs of whether UC-EVs may help improve lung function, lung imaging findings, symptoms, and disease-related laboratory tests. The study will include patients aged 18 and 80 years with IMID-related lung involvement. Eligible participants will have a diagnosis of IgG4-RD or SSc for at least 6 months. They must be receiving stable standard-of-care (SOC) treatment for the required period, as described in the inclusion criteria. They must also have adequate organ function and no history of severe allergy, as described in the eligibility criteria. Eligible participants will: * Inhale nebulized UC-EVs once daily for 7 days, followed by 7 days without treatment * Repeat this 2-week treatment cycle 6 times, for a total treatment period of about 12 weeks * Have study visits during treatment and follow-up visits through week 52 * Have safety checks, lung function tests, chest HRCT scans, blood tests, and symptom assessments * Record symptoms, adverse events, and any rescue treatment in a study diary
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
UC-EVs are extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells. Participants will receive UC-EVs by nebulized inhalation once daily for 7 consecutive days, followed by 7 days without treatment. Each 14-day cycle will be repeated for 6 cycles over approximately 12 weeks.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing, China
Incidence and Severity of Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events
The incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) will be assessed in participants who receive at least one dose of nebulized UC-EVs. AEs and SAEs will be collected throughout the study and graded according to the protocol-defined safety assessment criteria.
Time frame: From first dose through Week 52
Maximum Tolerated Dose and Recommended Phase 2 Dose of Nebulized UC-EVs
The maximum tolerated dose (MTD), if determinable, and the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of nebulized UC-EVs will be determined based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), overall safety and tolerability, and available clinical and laboratory safety data during the dose-escalation phase.
Time frame: Through the first 14-day treatment cycle for each dose cohort
Change From Baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire Score
Absolute change from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score during the study. HAQ is a participant-reported outcome measure used to assess physical function and daily activity. The total score ranges from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating worse physical function and greater difficulty in daily activities. A decrease from baseline indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in Patient Global Impression of Severity Score
Absolute change from baseline in Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S) score during the study. PGI-S is used to assess the participant's overall perception of disease severity. The score ranges from 0 to 7, with higher scores indicating more severe disease symptoms. A decrease from baseline indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire Score
Absolute change from baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score during the study. SGRQ is a participant-reported outcome measure used to assess respiratory symptoms, activity limitation, and disease impact. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse respiratory health status. A decrease from baseline indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in Leicester Cough Questionnaire Score
Absolute change from baseline in Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score during the study. LCQ is a participant-reported outcome measure used to assess cough-related quality of life. The total score ranges from 3 to 21, with higher scores indicating better cough-related quality of life. An increase from baseline indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in Forced Vital Capacity at Week 24
Absolute change from baseline in forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in milliliters, at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Percent Change From Baseline in Percent Predicted Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide at Week 24
Percent change from baseline in percent predicted single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO SB % predicted) at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change From Baseline in Maximum Pulmonary Nodule Size on Chest HRCT at Week 24
For participants with pulmonary nodules at baseline, absolute change from baseline in the size of the largest pulmonary nodule on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), measured in millimeters, at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change From Baseline in Bronchial Wall Thickness on Chest HRCT at Week 24
For participants with bronchial wall thickening at baseline, absolute change from baseline in bronchial wall thickness on chest HRCT, measured in millimeters, at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change From Baseline in Quantitative Lung Fibrosis and Quantitative Ground-Glass Opacity Scores on Chest HRCT at Week 24
For participants with interstitial lung disease at baseline, absolute change from baseline in quantitative lung fibrosis (QLF) score and quantitative ground-glass opacity (QGGO) score on chest HRCT at Week 24. Scores are expressed as percentages.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change From Baseline in Quantitative Interstitial Lung Disease Score on Chest HRCT at Week 24
For participants with interstitial lung disease at baseline, absolute change from baseline in quantitative interstitial lung disease (QILD) score on chest HRCT at Week 24. The score is expressed as a percentage.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change From Baseline in Disease-Related Serologic Markers (for IgG4-RD patients only)
Absolute change from baseline in serum IgG4 level (mg/L) for participants with IgG4-related disease.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in Disease-Related Serologic Markers (for SSc patients only)
Absolute change from baseline in systemic sclerosis-related autoantibody titers (U/mL) for participants with systemic sclerosis.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Absolute change from baseline in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (mm/h) level during the study.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Change From Baseline in C-reactive protein
Absolute change from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/L) levels during the study.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
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