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RecruitingNCT07627698DUET-MELUpdated Jun 4, 2026

Dual-Target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK Cells for Advanced Melanoma

A Phase 1/2 interventional study of EB-DTKN-401 allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells and Fludarabine in Unresectable Melanoma, Metastatic Cutaneous Melanoma and Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, sponsored by Beijing Biotech. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-04.

Sponsored by Beijing Biotech · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 1/2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
36
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a first-in-human, open-label, multicenter phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety, feasibility, recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and preliminary antitumor activity of allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells (EBDTKN-401) after lymphodepleting chemotherapy in adults with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous melanoma or metastatic uveal melanoma whose disease has progressed after standard therapy

Read the detailed description

The target-selection review favored CSPG4/GD2 because it gives the strongest melanoma-centered rationale across both cutaneous and uveal disease. EBDTKN-401 is an allogeneic donor-derived NK-cell product engineered with an OR-gate/tandem CAR recognizing CSPG4 or GD2 and an inducible caspase-9 safety switch. Part A uses 3+3 dose escalation to identify the RP2D. Part B evaluates the RP2D in expansion cohorts for cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma. Key secondary objectives are objective response, disease control, durability, progression-free survival, overall survival, CAR-NK persistence, and baseline biomarker-response relationships.

02

Conditions studied

  • Unresectable Melanoma
  • Metastatic Cutaneous Melanoma
  • Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Keywords

  • CAR-NK
  • allogeneic NK cells
  • CSPG4
  • GD2
  • advanced melanoma
  • uveal melanoma
  • cell therapy
  • biomarker-guided
  • solid tumor
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18-75 years at consent.
  • Histologically confirmed unresectable/metastatic cutaneous melanoma or metastatic uveal melanoma.
  • Disease progression after standard therapy, intolerance to standard therapy, or no remaining standard option expected to provide meaningful benefit. For cutaneous melanoma: prior anti-PD-1/L1 (with or without antiCTLA-4) unless contraindicated; if BRAF V600-mutant, prior BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy or documented unsuitability. For uveal melanoma: prior tebentafusp if HLA-A*02:01-positive and eligible, or documented unsuitability/unavailability plus at least one prior systemic therapy.
  • Tumor demonstrates CSPG4 and/or GD2 expression in archival or fresh tissue by central testing (suggested positivity threshold: at least 25% viable tumor cells by IHC or equivalent validated assay).
  • At least 1 measurable lesion by RECIST v1.1.
  • ECOG performance status 0-1.
  • Adequate bone marrow, renal, hepatic, cardiac, and pulmonary function per protocol.
  • Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.
  • Treated, stable brain metastases are allowed if neurologically stable for at least 4 weeks and not requiring escalating corticosteroids.
  • Willingness to use effective contraception and comply with protocol-required visits, blood sampling, and requested biopsies.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active symptomatic CNS metastases, leptomeningeal disease, or uncontrolled seizure disorder.
  • Prior allogeneic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant; prior gene-modified cellular therapy within 12 weeks; or anti-cancer therapy too close to lymphodepletion per protocol washout rules.
  • Requirement for systemic immunosuppression greater than 10 mg prednisone equivalent/day or uncontrolled autoimmune/inflammatory disease requiring systemic treatment.
  • Active uncontrolled infection, including uncontrolled HIV, HBV, or HCV, or fever/sepsis at the time lymphodepletion would begin.
  • Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled arrhythmia, recent myocardial infarction, or uncontrolled thromboembolic disease.
  • Grade 2 or higher unresolved toxicities from prior therapy, except stable endocrinopathy, alopecia, or vitiligo.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would make lymphodepletion or CAR-NK infusion unsafe.
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 1 / Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Sequential assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
36 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Arm A: Dose-escalation safety lead-in

    Target-positive adults with unresectable/metastatic cutaneous melanoma or metastatic uveal melanoma receive lymphodepletion followed by EB-DTKN-401 at one of three planned dose levels; up to three infusions over 15 days.

    Biological: EB-DTKN-401 allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells · Drug: Fludarabine · Drug: Cyclophosphamide

  • Experimental
    Arm B: Cutaneous expansion

    Participants with target-positive unresectable/metastatic cutaneous melanoma receive the RP2D after the same lymphodepleting regimen.

    Biological: EB-DTKN-401 allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells · Drug: Fludarabine · Drug: Cyclophosphamide

  • Experimental
    Arm C:Uveal expansion

    Participants with target-positive metastatic uveal melanoma receive the RP2D after the same lymphodepleting regimen.

    Biological: EB-DTKN-401 allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells · Drug: Fludarabine · Drug: Cyclophosphamide

Interventions

  • BiologicalEB-DTKN-401 allogeneic dual-target CSPG4/GD2 CAR-NK cells

    Genetically engineered natural killer (NK) cells expressing dual chimeric antigen receptors targeting CSPG4 and GD2 are expanded ex vivo and infused (IV) into patients. These cells recognize tumor antigens and induce targeted cytotoxicity, aiming to improve tumor killing and reduce antigen escape in CSPG4/GD2-positive cancers.

  • DrugFludarabine

    Fludara

    Also known as: Fludara

  • DrugCyclophosphamide

    Cyclophosphamide

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) using CTCAE v5.0

    Time frame: 28 Days

  2. Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D)

    Time frame: 42 Days

Secondary outcomes

  1. Treatment-emergent adverse events ( TEDE )

    Treatment-emergent adverse events including CRS, ICANS, prolonged cytopenias, neuropathic pain, ocular toxicity, and GVHD

    Time frame: 12 Month

  2. Objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1

    Time frame: 12 Month

  3. Disease control rate (DCR) by RECIST v1.1

    Time frame: 12 Month

  4. Duration of response

    Time frame: 24 Month

  5. Progression-free survival (PFS)

    Time frame: 24 Month

  6. Overall survival

    Time frame: 24 Months

06

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
    Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
    Recruiting
07

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07627698
Lead sponsor
Beijing Biotech
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 4, 2026
Start date
Mar 2, 2026
Primary completion
Jun 14, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 17, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Jun 4, 2026

Study contacts

Seni S Lu, Phd
Contact
Seni-Lu@beijing-biotech.com
+86 13076790030

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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