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RecruitingNCT07627711DUAL-NK-PDACUpdated Jun 4, 2026

Dual-Target CAR-NK Cells Targeting Mesothelin (MSLN) and MUC1 in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

A Phase 1/2 interventional study of EB-DNK101 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (MSLN + MUC1) and EB-DNK102 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (CLDN18.2 + MUC1) in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), Unresectable Locally Advanced and Metastatic Disease, 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
42
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This example study evaluates the safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of investigational, dual-targeting chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cell products for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Participants are assigned to one of two biomarker-defined cohorts based on tumor antigen expression: (A) Mesothelin (MSLN) and/or MUC1, or (B) Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) and/or MUC1. The study uses a dose-escalation followed by dose-expansion design to define a recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and to estimate response rates in each cohort.

Read the detailed description
  • Rationale: PDAC is characterized by aggressive biology, antigen heterogeneity, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Dual-targeting CAR designs aim to reduce antigen-escape by enabling recognition of either target antigen on tumor cells.
  • Investigational products: Two off-the-shelf (allogeneic) CAR-NK products are evaluated. EB-DNK101 targets MSLN and MUC1. EB-DNK102 targets CLDN18.2 and MUC1. Both products are engineered to enhance persistence and incorporate an inducible safety switch .
  • Target assessment and cohort assignment: Tumor tissue (archival or fresh biopsy) is tested centrally by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MSLN, MUC1, and CLDN18.2. Participants are assigned to Arm A (MSLN/MUC1) or Arm B (CLDN18.2/MUC1) based on predefined positivity thresholds. If more than one cohort is eligible, assignment prioritizes the strongest antigen expression and product availability.
  • Conditioning and administration: Participants receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by intravenous infusion of the assigned CAR-NK product.

Repeat infusions (up to 3 total) may be permitted in the absence of prohibitive toxicity and with at least stable disease. Safety monitoring: Participants are monitored closely for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), infusion reactions, and other adverse events.

Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) are assessed during the first 28 days after first infusion.

  • Efficacy and biomarker assessments: Tumor response is assessed by imaging (RECIST v1.1) at regular intervals (every 8 weeks). Exploratory endpoints include CAR-NK expansion/persistence, cytokine profiling, and association of antigen density with response.
  • Target down-selection plan: After completion of Part 1 and an initial subset of Part 2 expansion participants, an internal scientific review compares antigen prevalence, manufacturability, safety, and preliminary activity across cohorts to prioritize the lead dual-target construct for subsequent confirmatory development.
02

Conditions studied

  • Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
  • Unresectable Locally Advanced
  • Metastatic Disease

Keywords

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • PDAC
  • CAR-NK
  • Natural killer cells
  • Mesothelin
  • MSLN
  • MUC1
  • Claudin 18.2
  • CLDN18.2
  • Adoptive cell therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Biomarker-guided
03

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 75 years at the time of consent.
  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
  • Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease with progression after at least 1 prior standard systemic therapy regimen, or intolerance/ineligibility for standard therapy.
  • At least 1 measurable lesion per RECIST v1.1.
  • Tumor antigen expression by central IHC (archival or fresh biopsy): • Arm A eligibility: MSLN positive and/or MUC1 positive. • Arm B eligibility: CLDN18.2 positive and/or MUC1 positive. (Example threshold: IHC 2+ or 3+ staining in >=50% of tumor cells, or H-score above protocol-defined cutoff.)
  • ECOG performance status 0-1.
  • Adequate organ function (example): ANC >= 1.0 x 10\^9/L; platelets >= 75 x 10\^9/L; hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL; AST/ALT \<= 3x ULN (\<= 5x ULN with liver metastases); total bilirubin \<= 1.5x ULN; creatinine clearance >= 50 mL/min.
  • Life expectancy >= 12 weeks.
  • Negative pregnancy test for individuals of childbearing potential; agreement to use effective contraception during study participation and for a protocol-defined follow-up period.
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active or untreated CNS metastases or carcinomatous meningitis.
  • Clinically significant uncontrolled infection (including uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection).
  • Known active hepatitis B or hepatitis C with detectable viral load; known uncontrolled HIV infection.
  • Prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant.
  • Prior gene-modified cellular therapy (e.g., CAR-T/CAR-NK) within 6 months or prior therapy targeting the same antigen(s) Ongoing requirement for systemic immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., chronic corticosteroids above physiologic replacement).
  • Clinically significant cardiovascular disease (e.g., recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled arrhythmia, or NYHA class III/IV heart failure) within a protocol-defined period.
  • Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment in the past 2 years (replacement therapy allowed).
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Any medical, psychiatric, or social condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with safe participation or interpretation of results.
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 1 / Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
42 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Arm A: EB-DNK101 (MSLN/MUC1 Dual-CAR NK)

    Participants with PDAC whose tumors express MSLN and/or MUC1 per central IHC are assigned to Arm A.

    Biological: EB-DNK101 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (MSLN + MUC1) · Biological: EB-DNK102 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (CLDN18.2 + MUC1) · Drug: Lymphodepleting chemotherapy (Flu/Cy)

  • Experimental
    Arm B: EB-DNK102 (CLDN18.2/MUC1 Dual-CAR NK)

    Participants with PDAC whose tumors express CLDN18.2 and/or MUC1 per central IHC are assigned to Arm B.

    Biological: EB-DNK101 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (MSLN + MUC1) · Biological: EB-DNK102 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (CLDN18.2 + MUC1) · Drug: Lymphodepleting chemotherapy (Flu/Cy)

Interventions

  • BiologicalEB-DNK101 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (MSLN + MUC1)

    Allogeneic CAR-NK cells engineered with a dual-recognition CAR targeting MSLN and MUC1. Administered as an IV infusion on Day 0 (dose level dependent).

    Also known as: MSLN/MUC1 Dual-CAR NK, Dual-target CAR-NK (MSLN/MUC1)

  • BiologicalEB-DNK102 dual-targeting CAR-NK cells (CLDN18.2 + MUC1)

    Allogeneic CAR-NK cells engineered with a dual-recognition CAR targeting CLDN18.2 and MUC1. Administered as an IV infusion on Day 0 (dose level dependent).

    Also known as: CLDN18.2/MUC1 Dual-CAR NK, Dual-target CAR-NK (CLDN18.2/MUC1)

  • DrugLymphodepleting chemotherapy (Flu/Cy)

    fludarabine (Days -5 to -3) and cyclophosphamide (Days -5 to -4) prior to CAR-NK infusion.

    Also known as: Fludarabine + Cyclophosphamide, Conditioning regimen

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs)

    Time frame: 28 Days

  2. Incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs)

    Time frame: 12 months

  3. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD)

    Time frame: 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1

    Time frame: 12 months

  2. Disease control rate (DCR)

    Time frame: 12 months

  3. Duration of response (DOR)

    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
NCT07627711
Lead sponsor
Beijing Biotech
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 4, 2026
Start date
Mar 2, 2026
Primary completion
Apr 14, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Mar 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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