Oxford trial tests cell therapy for severe autoimmune diseases

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Oxford's clinical research facility has begun a trial of engineered cell therapy for severe autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis.

A pioneering cell therapy trial is underway at Oxford's Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility (EMCRF). The CHILL trial, sponsored by Quell Therapeutics, aims to find new treatments for severe autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis using engineered nTreg cells.

The therapy uses engineered regulatory T cells, or Tregs, which are designed to travel to inflamed tissue, restore immune balance, and reduce harmful immune activity. Quell Therapeutics has engineered these cells with a CD19 B-cell activated receptor. Two participants have been recruited at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, following the first participant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, making Oxford the second site globally to administer the therapy.

Cushla Cooper, clinical operational lead for the Oxford EMCRF, said the first patient received their dose in around ten minutes, tolerated it well, and was discharged home the following day. She noted that this marks the first time Oxford has delivered an engineered cell therapy trial for autoimmune conditions outside haematology-oncology specialities. Delivering the trial required new patient pathways and close collaboration between multiple departments.

How it is being reported

• Oxford trial explores cell therapy for severe autoimmune diseasesThe study, at the Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility (EMCRF), aims to find new treatments for severe autoimmune diseaseOxford Mail · 24 Oct, 20:00
• Oxford trial explores cell therapy for severe autoimmune diseasesThe study, at the Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility (EMCRF), aims to find new treatments for severe autoimmune diseaseOxfordshire Guardian · 24 Oct, 20:00

In this story: Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility · Quell Therapeutics · Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust · Oxford

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