Trial of Experimental Immune Rejuvenation Therapy to Begin in 2025
A Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental immune rejuvenation therapy, developed by biotechnology company SenTcell based on research from University College London (UCL), is scheduled to begin in 2025. The study will evaluate the safety and biological activity of a treatment designed to restore function in exhausted or senescent T cells.
Trial Details
The therapy is a liquid formulation administered via intramuscular injection, similar to a vaccine. It is intended to metabolically reprogram exhausted T cells to regain characteristics associated with younger, healthier cells.
The initial study will enroll adults with evidence of immune dysfunction, including immune aging and chronic viral infection.
Objectives
- Primary goals: Establish safety and biological activity of the treatment.
- Scope: The trial is not designed to measure clinical benefit.
Participants will undergo detailed immune profiling before and after treatment.
Scientific Background
Exhausted or senescent T cells accumulate with age and in chronic diseases (including HIV, cancer, and dementia), reducing immune effectiveness. The treatment specifically targets CD4+ T cells, which coordinate immune responses.
Previous laboratory studies suggested rejuvenated CD4+ T cells might release telomere-containing structures—termed "telomere Rivers" —into the bloodstream. This phenomenon has not been demonstrated in humans.
Regulatory Status
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted the program access to its Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), which provides support for therapies addressing immune decline and dysfunction.
Statements
"People living with HIV are now able to live long and healthy lives thanks to major advances in treatment, but many still experience features of accelerated immune ageing."
— Dr. Alessio Lanna, UCL Medicine and founder of SenTcell
Similar patterns of immune dysfunction are also seen in cancer and other chronic diseases.
Dr. Lanna added:
"This trial is an important step towards testing whether we can safely rejuvenate exhausted immune cells and restore aspects of healthy immune function. Our goal is to help establish immune rejuvenation as a new way of treating diseases linked to immune ageing and dysfunction."
Potential Applications
If successful, the approach could establish a new therapeutic paradigm focused on restoring immune system function rather than targeting specific pathogens or diseases.
Potential applications include:
- Chronic infections
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Healthy aging