Descartes-08: Autologous T-cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed to B-Cell maturation antigen (BCMA)
Placebo: Plasma-Lyte
Study summary
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of an autologous T-cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed to B-Cell maturation antigen (BCMA) in patients with autoantibody-mediated myositis, including antisynthetase syndrome (ASyS) and dermatomyositis (DM).
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Confirmed diagnosis of one of the following:
Dermatomyositis (DM): Probability score ≥55% on the 2017 EULAR/ACR (European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology/ American College of Rheumatology) criteria for classification of dermatomyositis (corresponding to diagnosis of 'probable or definite' DM). OR Antisynthetase Syndrome (ASyS): Diagnosis based on ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria (1)."
* Participants must have dermatomyositis or antisynthetase syndrome with muscle and/or skin involvement.
* Refractory or intolerance to standard therapy.
* Stable background immunosuppressive therapy for ≥8 weeks.
* Adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic, and pulmonary function (SpO₂ ≥92% on room air).
* Informed consent, compliance with visits, contraception, and vaccinations required.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Isolated interstitial lung disease (ILD) without muscle or skin involvement
* Severe irreversible muscle damage or advanced weakness (e.g., wheelchair-bound).
* Interstitial lung disease (ILD) requiring oxygen, severe pulmonary impairment (FVC ≤45%, DLCO ≤40%), or pulmonary hypertension.
* Other inflammatory myopathies (PM, IMNM, IBM, cancer- or drug-induced myositis, overlap myositis except Sjögren's).
* Other severe neuromuscular, cardiac, pulmonary, or systemic autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppression.
* Significant uncontrolled chronic illnesses or psychiatric conditions interfering with participation.
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Recent use of prohibited immunosuppressants/biologics or investigational agents (per washout periods).
* Live vaccination within 4 weeks.
* History of primary immunodeficiency, organ or bone marrow transplant.
* Active or uncontrolled infections: HBV, HCV, HIV, tuberculosis, or recurrent/severe infections.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Major improvement of 2016 ACR/EULAR Total Improvement score — 24 weeks Proportion of participants in the Descartes-08 group compared with placebo who achieve major improvement marked by ≥60 point improvement on the 2016 ACR/EULAR Total Improvement Score (TIS)
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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