RecruitingPhase 1Phase 2NCT07193134

GMEB-SASS: A Gene-Modified Skin Substitute for RDEB Treatment

Genetically Modified Epidermolysis Bullosa Self-Assembled Skin Substitute (GMEB-SASS) to Treat Patients Suffering From Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)

Sponsor

CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

Enrollment

9 participants

Start Date

Jan 7, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica, Recessive RDEB

Summary

This study is being done to find out if a new type of skin graft, called GMEB-SASS, is safe and effective for helping wounds heal in people with RDEB (Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa). The GMEB-SASS graft contains two types of living skin cells: keratinocytes and fibroblasts. It is made in a laboratory using a small sample of the patient's own skin. To help the patient's skin cells produce a missing protein called type VII collagen, scientists grow the patient's cells in the lab and use a virus-like tool (called a retroviral vector) to give the cells the correct instructions. This allows the cells to make the normal protein that is missing in people with RDEB. The graft is designed to be permanent, and the goal is to improve wound healing by replacing damaged skin cells with healthy ones.

Eligibility

Min Age: 7 Years

Inclusion Criteria9

Age
Learning phase:
Subjects 1 to 3: Eighteen (18) years old or older.
Subjects 4 to 6: Twelve (12) years old or older.
Subjects 7 to 9: Seven (7) years old or older.
Clinical diagnosis of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) with confirmed biallelic pathogenic variant in the COL7A1 gene.
Candidates - or their parents/caregivers if the candidates have limited comprehension, who are able to understand the study and to comply with the study procedures.
On the day of grafting, one or more blistered and/or erosive skin areas on the trunk and/or extremities large enough to graft at least three 25 to 50 cm2 GMEB-SASS grafts.
Ability to undergo anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria11

Medical instability limiting the ability to travel to the investigative center.
Any medical condition or illness that may impact study participation or compromise the safety of the participants, as per the investigator's judgment.
Evidence of systemic infection.
Current evidence or a history of non-metastatic or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma at the site to be grafted.
Any clinically significant abnormal laboratory values or abnormal findings identified during physical examination or through medical history that could compromise participant safety, as per the investigator's judgment.
History of or known allergy to bovine proteins.
Active drug or alcohol addiction.
Female candidate who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Candidate who has received immunotherapy, including oral corticosteroids (Prednisolone > 1 mg/kg), for more than one week, within 2 weeks prior to the study intervention (initial biopsy and GMEB-SASS grafting) (intranasal and topical preparations are permitted).
Candidate who has received chemotherapy within 60 days prior to the study intervention (initial biopsy and GMEB-SASS grafting).
Candidate who has received, in the last 6 months prior to the study intervention (initial biopsy and GMEB-SASS grafting), any gene therapy, chemical or biological product modifying collagen 7 expression.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

DRUGGenetically Modified Epidermolysis Bullosa Self-Assembled Skin Substitute (GMEB-SASS)

Wound debridement will be performed, followed by the application of temporary allogeneic skin grafts for 3-5 days. The allografts will then be removed, and the GMEB-SASS grafts will be applied.