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Ischemic CardiomyopathyPhase 1NCT07505199

Safety and Efficacy of FAP iCDC in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A Phase 1 study testing autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC) and Standard medical treatment in people with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Cell Therapy, run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine at 1 site in China.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted autologous immunosuppressive chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cell (iCDC) therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, and to explore its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for this disease. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Cell Therapy
What is being tested?
autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC) and Standard medical treatment
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
21 May 2026to 1 Apr 2029
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age ≥18 years and ≤75 years.
  • Diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy, with at least 3 months of optimized guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) at maximally tolerated doses; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%; New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III-IV.
  • Ability to understand the risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives of immunoregulatory CAR-DC therapy, and willingness to participate in the study; the patient or his/her legally authorized representative must provide written informed consent prior to study enrollment.
  • Adequate hematologic function defined as: hematocrit >30%, lymphocyte count >0.5 × 10⁹/L, and platelet count >60 × 10⁹/L.

Who cannot join

  • Life expectancy <1 year due to non-cardiac conditions.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation within 3 months prior to enrollment or planned CRT implantation.
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within 3 months prior to enrollment OR plan to PCI.
  • Presence of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, including but not limited to dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, inflammatory or immune-mediated cardiomyopathy, metabolic or genetic cardiomyopathy, or cardiomyopathy secondary to moderate-to-severe valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, or other non-ischemic etiologies.
  • Persistent hemodynamic instability.
  • End-stage renal disease (eGFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m²) requiring or receiving renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Active autoimmune disease requiring immunosuppressive therapy.
  • History of malignancy.
  • Active infection, including but not limited to active hepatitis B (HBV DNA >1000 copies/mL by PCR), hepatitis C, syphilis, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, or uncontrolled systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infections.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Known contraindications to the investigational product or study-related procedures.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

China1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang / 浙江, 310009

    Jiamin Li, Dr, 18868112006, 21818216@zju.edu.cn

    21818216@zju.edu.cn

    Recruiting

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: Safety and Efficacy of FAP-Targeted Immunosuppressive CAR-DC in the Treatment of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted autologous immunosuppressive chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cell (iCDC) therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, and to explore its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Read the detailed description

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is becoming an increasingly serious global public health challenge due to its rising prevalence and the continuous increase in human life expectancy. Despite substantial advances in reperfusion therapy, pharmacological treatment, and risk factor management in recent decades, clinical prognosis remains poor. Many patients continue to experience adverse cardiac remodeling after the initial ischemic injury and eventually progress to heart failure. This persistent residual risk suggests that current therapeutic strategies do not fully address key pathogenic mechanisms underlying disease progression. Inflammation plays a central role in linking acute myocardial injury to chronic cardiac remodeling.

Dendritic cells (DCs), as professional antigen-presenting cells, function at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity and play a critical role in coordinating immune responses within the tissue microenvironment. Recent advances in the study of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolerogenic DCs) have provided new insights into their potential application in cardiovascular diseases. Unlike conventional immunostimulatory DCs, tolerogenic DCs can induce antigen-specific immune tolerance through multiple mechanisms, including secretion of regulatory cytokines, expression of co-inhibitory ligands, suppression of effector T-cell responses, and induction of regulatory T cells. These properties make DCs a promising but underexplored platform for immune modulation.

This study evaluates a novel therapeutic strategy using fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted autologous immunosuppressive chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cell (CAR-DC) therapy, also referred to as iCDC therapy, in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. This approach is designed to direct engineered dendritic cells to sites of cardiac injury and fibrosis, with the goal of modulating the balance between injurious and reparative immune responses. By targeting local immune regulation at the site of injury, this strategy may help attenuate adverse cardiac remodeling while potentially avoiding the systemic immunosuppression associated with conventional therapies.

Being tested
autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC), Standard medical treatment
Keywords
ischemic cardiomyopathy, dendritic cell, immune tolerance

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC)Biological

    Each subject receives FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs by intravenous infusion after enrollment.

  • Standard medical treatmentOther

    Participants receive standard medical treatment for ischemic cardiomyopathy according to current clinical practice and guideline-directed medical therapy. No iCDC therapy is administered in this arm.

Study groups in NCT07505199
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Administration of autologus FAP iCDCExperimentalAdministration of FAP immunosuppressive CAR-DC cell therapy in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients are planned to be enrolled in the dose-escalation trial (1×10^5/kg、4×10^5/kg、and 8×10^5/kg) .The first dose group (4×10⁵/kg) initially enrolls 3 subjects to observe Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) responses. (1)If no DLT occurs and all 3 subjects demonstrate efficacy after 6 months of treatment, and this dose is determined as the safe and effective dose. (2)If 1 subject experiences DLT, 3 additional subjects are enrolled. ·If 1/6 subjects develops DLT, and efficacy is not fully achieved in all 6 subjects, escalate to the next dose group (8×10^5/kg). ·If ≥2/6 subjects develop DLT, de-escalate to the previous dose group (1×10^5/kg). (3)After identifying a safe and effective dose, enrollment will be expanded at this dose to bring the total sample size to 15 subjects, to further evaluate safety and efficacy.
Receives: Biological: autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC)
Standard treatment controlActive comparatorParticipants in this arm will receive standard medical treatment for ischemic cardiomyopathy according to current clinical practice and guideline-directed medical therapy. These participants will not receive iCDC therapy but will undergo scheduled follow-up assessments for safety and efficacy comparisons.
Receives: Other: Standard medical treatment

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLT)

    Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) within 14 days after administration of FAP-targeted immunoregulatory CAR-DC therapy

    Measured: Within 14 days after treatment

  2. Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAE)

    Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) occurring within 6 months after treatment in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

    Measured: Within 6 months after treatment

Secondary outcomes (20)
  1. Change in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) by Echocardiography

    Change from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

  2. Change in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) as assessed by Echocardiography

    Change from baseline in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)measured by echocardiography, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  3. Change in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) by Echocardiography

    Change from baseline in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) measured by echocardiography, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  4. Change in global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by Echocardiography

    Change from baseline in global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by echocardiography, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

  5. Change in wall motion score index (WMSI) measured by Echocardiography

    Change from baseline in wall motion score index (WMSI) measured by echocardiography, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

  6. Change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 months

  7. Change in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  8. Change in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 months

  9. Change in stroke volume (SV) by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in stroke volume (SV) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  10. Change in Myocardial Late Gadolinium Enhancement Volume by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) volume percentage measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  11. Change in Extracellular Volume Fraction in Remote Myocardium by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in remote myocardium measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  12. Change in Myocardial Scar Transmurality by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    Change from baseline in myocardial scar transmurality percentage measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  13. Change in Serum B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Level

    Change from baseline in serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  14. Change in Six-Minute Walk Test Distance

    Change from baseline in six-minute walk test distance, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  15. Change in Heart Failure Symptom Assessments--NYHA

    Change from baseline in heart failure symptom and functional status assessments, including New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  16. Change in Heart Failure Symptom Assessments--INTERMACS

    Change from baseline in heart failure symptom and functional status assessments, including INTERMACS profile, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  17. Change in Heart Functional Status Assessments-KCCQ

    Change from baseline in heart failure symptom and functional status assessments, including Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score, and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  18. Change in Cardiac 18F-FAPI Uptake by PET/CT

    Change from baseline in cardiac 18F-FAPI maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), and between-group difference between the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 months

  19. Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events

    Incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all-cause death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, in the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group.

    Measured: Up to 6 months

  20. Incidence of Adverse Events

    Incidence of adverse events in the iCDC treatment group and the standard treatment control group. Adverse events will be assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0.

    Measured: Up to 6 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Apr 2026
  2. Study start21 May 2026
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Apr 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants will be assigned in parallel to either the iCDC treatment group or the standard treatment control group. Assignment will be based on participants' treatment preference; therefore, this is a non-randomized, open-label study.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07505199
Sponsor's protocol ID
YAN2026-0257
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
26 Mar 2026
Last updated
2 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing autologus FAP-targeted immunosuppressive CAR-DCs (iCDC) and Standard medical treatment in people with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Cell Therapy, run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jiamin Li, MD (86-18868112006, 21818216@zju.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLT) (time frame: Within 14 days after treatment). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jul 2026.

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