Study schema1,2

Key inclusion criteria1

Patients with an SLE diagnosis fulfilling the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification

  • Active disease
  • Inadequate response to glucocorticoids and ≥2 immunosuppressant therapies, used for ≥3 months

Key exclusion criteria1

Must not have other diseases, conditions, or treatments that may confound interpretation of the effects of the study drug in SLE

  • Uncontrolled or clinical significant cardiovascular conditions or CNS pathology within ≥2 years
  • Pregnant, nursing, or breastfeeding, or who intend to become pregnant during participation in the study
  • Received live vaccines within 6 weeks 
  • Inadequate organ function
Please see ClinicalTrials.gov for more detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Breakfree-SLE is a Phase 2, multicenter, open-label study of CC-97540 (BMS-986353), CD19-targeted NEX-T CAR T cells, in participants with active SLE (including LN) with inadequate response to glucocorticoids and ≥2 immunosuppressants1

Primary endpoint1

  • Proportion of patients achieving drug-free Definition of Remission in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (DORIS) remission at Month 6 

Select secondary endpoints1

  • CRR for participants with baseline LN up to Month 60 
  • Number of participants achieving Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) up to Month 60 
  • Number of participants achieving SLE Responder Index (SRI) response (reduction of ≥4 points) with baseline SLEDAI ≥6 up to Month 60

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ACR=American College of Rheumatology; CAR=chimeric antigen receptor; CNS=central nervous system; CRR=complete renal response; EULAR=European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology; LN=lupus nephritis; SLE=systemic lupus erythematosus; SLEDAI=Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index.

References:

  1. Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT07015983. Accessed June 11, 2025.
  2. Data on file. REF-06869-IMM. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; 2025.