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Pneumonitis, InterstitialPhase 1/2NCT07599111

Exploratory Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Nebulized hUC-MSC-Derived Exosomes for Non-Acute CIP

A Phase 1/2 study testing Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos and Nebulized normal saline in people with Pneumonitis, Interstitial and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs), run by Zhou Chengzhi.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record

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Trial summary

Study Objectives The primary objective of Phase II is to evaluate the percentage of lesion resolution on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) as assessed by independent blinded reviewers. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
What is being tested?
Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos and Nebulized normal saline
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Apr 2026to Oct 2028
Phase
Phase 1/2

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

  • Informed consent: Signed written informed consent.
  • Age and diagnosis: Aged 18-75 years with histologically confirmed malignant tumor.
  • Treatment history: Received at least one cycle of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and developed immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis.
  • Confirmed Grade 3-4 immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) by clinical evaluation (diagnosis and grading in accordance with the NCCN Guidelines for Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities Version 1.2025), having received standard glucocorticoid therapy for ≥4 weeks, with glucocorticoids either discontinued or tapered to a prednisone-equivalent dose of <20 mg/day.
  • Recent HRCT imaging: Persistent residual CIP-related lesions in both lungs, including ground-glass opacity, consolidation, reticular opacity, traction bronchiectasis, and/or honeycombing, involving a large extent of the lung fields; no significant resolution or improvement of these residual lesions on repeated HRCT within the past 4 weeks.
  • General condition: ECOG PS score 0-1, with stable control of the primary tumor for ≥6 months.
  • Contraception: Fertile subjects agree to use effective contraception during the study period and for 360 days after the last dose.

Who cannot join

  • Concomitant medication: Current use of antifibrotic agents such as pirfenidone and nintedanib.
  • Operational limitation: Inability to cooperate with pulmonary function testing or nebulized inhalation.
  • History of other pulmonary diseases: Presence of unresolved interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis induced by targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or other causes.
  • Severe comorbidities: Including severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal insufficiency, or severe hematological abnormalities.
  • Specific medical history: Severe neuromuscular disease, history of organ transplantation, active epilepsy, primary or severe acquired/secondary immunodeficiency.
  • Other factors: Severe allergic constitution, psychiatric disorders, use of other investigational products within 28 days, or any other condition deemed inappropriate by the investigator.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Exploratory Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Nebulized Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in the Treatment of Non-Acute Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Pneumonitis

Study Objectives The primary objective of Phase II is to evaluate the percentage of lesion resolution on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) as assessed by independent blinded reviewers. Secondary objectives include evaluating effects on pulmonary function, exercise capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, and oxygenation, as well as comprehensively assessing safety and tolerability. Phase I focuses on determining safety, dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), and recommended Phase II dose.

Study Population

Read more

The target population is patients with non-acute CIP aged 18-75 years with histologically confirmed malignancy. Key inclusion criteria include:

At least one cycle of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy and development of Grade 3-4 CIP per NCCN Guidelines V1.2025 Standard glucocorticoid treatment for ≥4 weeks, with current dose <20 mg/day prednisone equivalent or discontinued Persistent residual CIP lesions on HRCT without significant improvement in the past 4 weeks ECOG PS 0-1 and stable primary tumor for ≥6 months Effective contraception during the study and for 360 days after last dosing

Key exclusion criteria include:

Concomitant use of pirfenidone, nintedanib, or other antifibrotic agents Inability to perform pulmonary function tests or tolerate nebulization Unresolved interstitial lung disease from radiotherapy or targeted therapy Severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or hematological dysfunction Organ transplantation, severe immunodeficiency, active epilepsy, or severe allergic status Other investigational drug use within 28 days Study Design and Sample Size Phase I: 9-18 subjects, open-label, dose-escalation design to evaluate DLT and safety Phase II: 40 subjects, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design Study Endpoints Phase I Primary Endpoints Incidence of DLT Incidence of adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) Phase II Primary Endpoint Percentage of HRCT lesion resolution at Weeks 4, 12, and 24, assessed by independent blinded reviewers Secondary Endpoints Pulmonary function: FVC%, TLC, RV, FRC, DLCO Functional and symptomatic measures: 6MWD, mMRC dyspnea score, SGRQ, LCQ Oxygenation: PaO₂, A-aDO₂, oxygenation index Exploratory Endpoints Dynamic changes in serum biomarkers: KL-6, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10), immune cell subsets (Tregs, Th1/Th17) Safety Assessments Monitoring of AEs/SAEs graded by CTCAE v5.0 and causality assessment Physical examination, vital signs, SpO₂, 12-lead ECG Laboratory tests: CBC, biochemistry, coagulation, urinalysis, CRP, ESR Study Termination Rules Overall Study Termination Successful completion after all 40 subjects finish 24-week follow-up and database lock Occurrence of unexpected serious or unacceptable safety risks Demonstration of overwhelming efficacy or futility Sponsor termination due to slow enrollment, funding, or major protocol deviations Regulatory or ethics committee requirements Individual Subject Discontinuation Development of DLT or severe hypersensitivity Rapid CIP progression (e.g., >50% radiological worsening) Tumor progression or clinical deterioration Withdrawal of informed consent Poor compliance unresponsive to intervention Loss to follow-up or death Investigator judgment of inappropriateness for continued participation Study Timeline Preparation and initiation: January 2026 - May 2026 Phase I/II enrollment: June 2026 - May 2027 Treatment and follow-up (overlapping with enrollment): through June 2028 Database lock and statistical analysis: July 2028 - August 2028 Study closeout: August 2028 - December 2028

Being tested
Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos, Nebulized normal saline
Medical subject headings
Lung Diseases, Interstitial

What participants receive

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

  • Nebulized hUCMSC-ExosDrug

    Nebulized human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosome preparation, 5 mL per administration, twice daily (BID) for 7 consecutive days.

  • Nebulized normal salineDrug

    Nebulized normal saline, 5 mL per administration, twice daily (BID) for 7 consecutive days.

Study groups in NCT07599111
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Low-dose groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos
Middle-dose groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos
High-dose groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos
Experimental groupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Nebulized hUCMSC-Exos
Control groupPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Nebulized normal saline

What is being measured

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

  1. Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), and serious adverse events (SAEs).

    Measured: From the date of initial administration through 7 days following the final administration

  2. Percentage of lesion resolution on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)

    Measured: aseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Forced Vital Capacity as percentage of predicted value (FVC%)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  2. Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  3. Residual Volume (RV)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  4. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  5. Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  6. 6-minute walking distance (6MWD)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24

  7. modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) score

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24

  8. total St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24

  9. total Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24

  10. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  11. alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference (A-aDO₂)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  12. changes in oxygenation index (OI)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  13. Serum Krebs von den Lungen-600 (KL-6)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

  14. cytokine profile (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12 and Week 24

  15. immune cell subsets (Tregs, Th1/Th17)

    Measured: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12, Week 24

Timeline

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

  1. First posted20 May 2026
  2. Study startApr 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJun 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionOct 2028 (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 1/2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07599111
Sponsor's protocol ID
CROC-ACE001
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
22 Apr 2026
Last updated
20 May 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

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