Open-label, Pivotal Clinical Trial to Confirm Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Grafts Containing Stem Cells Genetically Modified for Epidermis Restoration in Patients With Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa (HOLOGENE 5)

This is an interventional treatment trial for Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa Non-Herlitz Type Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed and dated informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
2. Male and female patients between 6 months and 65 years old;
3. Diagnosis of generalized intermediate LAMB3-dependent JEB, confirmed by NGS or Sanger sequencing and/or immunofluorescence;
4. Detectable residual expression of laminin 332 (and its beta-3 chain) by immunofluorescence and/or Western Blot analysis;
5. Presence of blisters and/or ≥ 6 cm2 erosions (persistent or recurrent for more than 3 months); the area of the erosion can be considered as the sum of smaller areas in the same body part (i.e. leg, thigh, arm, …)
6. A cooperative attitude to follow the study procedures (caregivers in case of children);
7. Patients' compliance with the study schedule and procedures, including complete immobilization of the transplanted areas for at least two weeks and hospitalization up to 1 month after transplantation.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known or suspected intolerance to anaesthesia;
2. Bad general condition (ECOG index >1);
3. Presence of any skin cancers in the area(s) qualified for treatment;
4. Clinical and/or laboratory signs of acute systemic infections at the time of screening. Patient can be re-screened after appropriate treatment;
5. Female subjects: Pregnant (as evident by a positive urine hCG or serum-hCG test) or lactating women and all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant (i.e. women of childbearing potential [WOCBP]) UNLESS they are willing to use highly effective birth control methods;
6. Allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to study medication excipients or other material required by study protocol (as per Investigator's brochure)
7. Contraindications to the local or systemic antibiotics and/or corticosteroids foreseen by the protocol;
8. Contraindications to undergo extensive surgical procedures;
9. Presence of i) systemic diseases, ii) clinically significant or unstable concurrent disease, iii) other concomitant medical conditions, iv) other clinical contraindications to stem cell transplantation, which based on Investigator's judgment, in consultation with the Sponsor Medical Expert may affect the participation in the study or the grafting procedure;
10. Patients (or parents in case of paediatric subject) unlikely to comply with the study protocol or unable to understand the nature and scope of the study or the possible benefits or unwanted effects of the study procedures and treatments.
11. Previous treatments or clinical trials envisaging the use of cells (including bone marrow transplantation, BMT) and/or both in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy products.