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Gene Therapy

Gene Therapy for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff Diseases

Phase 1
Waitlist Available
Led By Terence Flotte, MD
Research Sponsored by Terence Flotte
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Surgical readiness for gene transfer by the routes of administration confirmed by the study neurosurgeon, based on examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings
Male or female subjects born between 37 - 42 weeks gestation with genetically diagnosed TSD or SD mutations of either HEXA gene or HEXB gene
Must not have
Participants for whom any of the proposed study procedures or medications (i.e., sirolimus, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) would be contraindicated
Current clinically significant infections including any requiring systemic treatment including but not limited to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis A, B, or C
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 5 years
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is designed to study the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy treatment for two rare, fatal, pediatric neurodegenerative disorders caused by defects in the HEXA or HEXB genes.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for pediatric patients with Tay-Sachs or Sandhoff Diseases. Infants must be 6-20 months old and able to sit without support, while juveniles should be 2-12 years old with certain clinical features. Participants can't have had previous gene therapy, need to stop specific treatments before joining, and must travel reliably to the study site.
What is being tested?
The AXO-GM2-001 study tests different doses of AXO-AAV-GM2 gene therapy delivered into the brain and spinal fluid of children with genetic disorders affecting nerve cells. It aims to restore enzyme function by introducing healthy genes using a virus vector in two stages: dose escalation then safety and efficacy.
What are the potential side effects?
While not explicitly listed, potential side effects may include reactions related to immune response against the viral vector or complications from brain/spinal fluid delivery methods such as inflammation, infection risk increase, or neurological symptoms.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am cleared for gene therapy by a neurosurgeon after an exam and MRI.
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I was born full-term and have a genetic diagnosis of TSD or SD.
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I am between 2 and 12 years old and have juvenile-onset condition.
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My child has been able to sit without support for at least 5 seconds.
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My child was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease or Sandhoff disease early in life.
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I have a genetic diagnosis of TSD or SD due to HEXA or HEXB gene mutations.
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I can sit without support for at least 5 seconds.
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I have been diagnosed with juvenile-onset Tay-Sachs or Sandhoff disease.
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A neurosurgeon has approved me for gene transfer surgery.
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I am between 2 and 12 years old with a diagnosis of juvenile-onset TSD or SD.
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My child is between 6 to 20 months old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am not allergic or unable to take sirolimus or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
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I do not have any serious infections, including HIV or Hepatitis.
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I require a ventilator to help me breathe.
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I have had seizures that medication couldn't control.
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I have lost a significant amount of weight in the last 3 months.
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I do not have spinal conditions that prevent lumbar puncture procedures.
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I have swallowing problems that can't be fixed with thicker drinks or a special bottle.
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My genetic test shows I have a G269S or W474C mutation in HEXA.
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My parent or guardian does not understand or agree to the study requirements.
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I have had several lung infections from inhaling food or liquid in the past year.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: AXO-AAV-GM2Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
AXO-AAV-GM2 infusion

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Terence FlotteLead Sponsor
1 Previous Clinical Trials
7 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Tay-Sachs Disease
7 Patients Enrolled for Tay-Sachs Disease
Sio Gene TherapiesLead Sponsor
3 Previous Clinical Trials
100,051 Total Patients Enrolled
University of Massachusetts, WorcesterOTHER
362 Previous Clinical Trials
992,709 Total Patients Enrolled
Massachusetts General HospitalOTHER
3,026 Previous Clinical Trials
13,413,778 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Tay-Sachs Disease
10 Patients Enrolled for Tay-Sachs Disease
Terence Flotte, MDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Massachusetts Medical Health Center
1 Previous Clinical Trials
7 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Tay-Sachs Disease
7 Patients Enrolled for Tay-Sachs Disease
Erika De Boever, DDS, PhDStudy DirectorSio Gene Therapies
1 Previous Clinical Trials
6 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

AXO-AAV-GM2 High Dose (Gene Therapy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04669535 — Phase 1
Tay-Sachs Disease Research Study Groups: AXO-AAV-GM2
Tay-Sachs Disease Clinical Trial 2023: AXO-AAV-GM2 High Dose Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04669535 — Phase 1
AXO-AAV-GM2 High Dose (Gene Therapy) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04669535 — Phase 1
Tay-Sachs Disease Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04669535 — Phase 1
~2 spots leftby Dec 2025