16 Participants Needed

CNS10-NPC-GDNF for ALS

PA
Overseen ByPablo Avalos
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing the safety of placing special cells into the brains of ALS patients. These cells release a protein that helps brain cells stay alive and healthy. The study aims to see if this new treatment is safe for people.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you are either not taking riluzole and/or edaravone or have been on a stable dose for at least 30 days. Other medications are not specified, so it's best to discuss with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CNS10-NPC-GDNF for ALS?

Research shows that CNS10-NPC-GDNF, which involves cells that produce a protective protein called GDNF, was safe in a study with ALS patients and helped protect nerve cells in the spinal cord. Additionally, GDNF levels are naturally higher in ALS patients, suggesting it may play a role in the body's response to the disease.12345

Is CNS10-NPC-GDNF safe for humans?

The safety of a similar treatment, recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rhCNTF), was tested in patients with ALS. It was generally safe at lower doses, but higher doses caused side effects like fever, fatigue, cough, and weight loss. No serious neurological issues were reported, but some side effects were dose-related.678910

What makes the CNS10-NPC-GDNF treatment unique for ALS?

CNS10-NPC-GDNF is unique because it involves transplanting human neural progenitor cells engineered to release GDNF (a protein that supports nerve cells) directly into the spinal cord, providing long-term support and protection for motor neurons, which is different from traditional drug treatments.1231112

Research Team

RL

Richard Lewis, MD

Principal Investigator

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with ALS symptoms for less than 3 years, who can consent and have a caregiver. They must be able to breathe well on their own (FVC ≥50%), travel to the site, and not be on certain drugs or have used stem cells before. Women must test negative for pregnancy and use birth control.

Inclusion Criteria

Medically able to tolerate the immunosuppression regimen as determined by the site PI
I have a confirmed diagnosis of ALS.
My lung function is at least half of what is expected for someone healthy.
See 9 more

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosis of another active or unstable medical illness that may interfere with study participation at discretion of PI
Current drug or alcohol abuse
Using invasive ventilatory assistance
See 11 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive CNS10-NPC-GDNF cells transplanted into the motor cortex

3 months
Multiple surgeries with a minimum of one week to one month interval between surgeries

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

15 months
7 visits for various assessments including CMAP, 9-hole peg test, PUMNS, fMRI, ATLIS, and strength testing

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • CNS10-NPC-GDNF
Trial OverviewThe safety of CNS10-NPC-GDNF cell transplants into the brain's motor cortex is being tested. These are engineered stem cells that become neural cells producing GDNF, a protein aiding neural cell survival, previously tested in spinal cords but now in human brains.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: CNS10-NPC-GDNF - Group CExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Unilateral Motor Cortex, 0.5x10\^6 cells in 10 µL/site, 21 sites (10.5x10\^6 total cells) - Motor cortex corresponding to the dominant hand
Group II: CNS10-NPC-GDNF - Group BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Unilateral, Motor Cortex, 0.5x10\^6 cells in 10 µL/site, 21 sites (10.5x10\^6 total cells) - Motor cortex corresponding to the non-dominant hand
Group III: CNS10-NPC-GDNF - Group AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Unilateral, Motor Cortex, 0.25x10\^6 cells in 10 µL/site, 21 sites (5.25x10\^6 total cells) - Motor cortex corresponding to the non-dominant hand

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
523
Recruited
165,000+

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)

Collaborator

Trials
70
Recruited
3,300+

Findings from Research

Neurotrophins like BDNF, CNTF, and GDNF show strong potential for promoting the survival of motor neurons, making them promising candidates for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The review synthesizes both preclinical and clinical trial data, providing insights into the effectiveness of these neurotrophic factors and suggesting how past findings can guide future research and development in ALS treatments.
Neurotrophic factors in the physiology of motor neurons and their role in the pathobiology and therapeutic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Stansberry, WM., Pierchala, BA.[2023]
In a phase 1/2a study involving 18 ALS patients, transplantation of human neural progenitor cells engineered to produce GDNF was found to be safe, with no adverse effects on motor function after one year.
The transplanted cells survived and continued to produce GDNF for up to 42 months, suggesting a potential long-term therapeutic benefit in supporting spinal motor neurons in ALS patients.
Transplantation of human neural progenitor cells secreting GDNF into the spinal cord of patients with ALS: a phase 1/2a trial.Baloh, RH., Johnson, JP., Avalos, P., et al.[2022]
In a study analyzing cerebrospinal fluid from 15 ALS patients and 11 healthy controls, no significant difference in BDNF levels was found, suggesting that BDNF may not play a role in ALS pathology.
However, GDNF was detected in 12 out of 15 ALS patients but not in any controls, indicating that ALS patients may have an enhanced ability to produce GDNF, which could be a response to the disease.
GDNF but not BDNF is increased in cerebrospinal fluid in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Grundström, E., Lindholm, D., Johansson, A., et al.[2019]

References

Neurotrophic factors in the physiology of motor neurons and their role in the pathobiology and therapeutic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [2023]
Transplantation of human neural progenitor cells secreting GDNF into the spinal cord of patients with ALS: a phase 1/2a trial. [2022]
GDNF but not BDNF is increased in cerebrospinal fluid in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [2019]
A controlled trial of recombinant methionyl human BDNF in ALS: The BDNF Study Group (Phase III). [2019]
Intraspinal administration of human spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells in the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS delays symptom progression, prolongs survival and increases expression of endogenous neurotrophic factors. [2018]
Toxicity and tolerability of recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [2019]
A phase I study of recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rHCNTF) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The ALS CNTF Treatment Study (ACTS) Phase I-II Study Group. [2019]
A placebo-controlled trial of recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic (rhCNTF) factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. rhCNTF ALS Study Group. [2004]
Effect of p75 neurotrophin receptor antagonist on disease progression in transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. [2011]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of subcutaneous recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rHCNTF) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS CNTF Treatment Study Group. [2019]
Transplantation of Neural Progenitor Cells Expressing Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor into the Motor Cortex as a Strategy to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. [2019]
[Roles of glial cell line-derived neurotropic factor in motoneuron development and motoneuron disease]. [2005]