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New treatment option for Age-related Muscle Decline
Official title CALM-AF-AI: Counteracting Age-related Loss of Muscle With AAV-Follistatin Combined With Angiogenesis-Inducing VEGF Plasmid Gene Therapy
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07443826
What this study is testing
What is AAV9-Follistatin gene therapy?
AAV9-Follistatin gene therapy is an investigational medicine, given as an injection into a muscle, being studied as a potential treatment for age-related muscle decline.
Plain-language explanation of the investigational treatment - it is being studied and is not an approved or proven therapy. The study team can confirm the details.
- What it's testing
- This Phase 1/2a, open-label, non-randomized study is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intramuscular AAV9-Follistatin gene therapy administered either as monotherapy or in combination with a VEGF-encoding plasmid. Secondary objectives include the assessment of preliminary signals of biological and functional activity, including changes in skeletal muscle mass and performance.
- Phase 2: a mid-size study of how well it works
- Which group you join is decided by chance.
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 35 to 75. Healthy volunteers may be eligible.
You may be able to join if
- Voluntary written informed consent obtained prior to any study-related procedures
- Ability to read, understand, and sign the Informed Consent Form and reliably complete required study documents
- Willingness to undergo medical intervention, including genetic therapy, and to comply with the visit schedule and all study procedures
- Commitment to maintain a stable medication and supplement regimen throughout the study, with no initiation of new medications, supplements, or...
- Men and women aged 35-75 years
You likely can't join if
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intent to become pregnant; premenopausal status (unless ≥12 months amenorrhea or FSH ≥30 IU/L)
- people who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse within 1 year of study entry
- Initiation of prohibited medications, supplements, or interventions during the study period that may confound how well it works or safety assessments
- Active malignancy or ANY history of cancer
- Strong family history of cancer in first-degree relatives (≥2 relatives with cancer diagnosed \<60 years) OR known hereditary cancer syndrome...
- Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including:
See the full eligibility criteria
Who can join
- Voluntary written informed consent obtained prior to any study-related procedures
- Ability to read, understand, and sign the Informed Consent Form and reliably complete required study documents
- Willingness to undergo medical intervention, including genetic therapy, and to comply with the visit schedule and all study procedures
- Commitment to maintain a stable medication and supplement regimen throughout the study, with no initiation of new medications, supplements, or performance-enhancing substances unless approved by the Investigator
- Men and women aged 35-75 years
- Body mass index (BMI) between 18.0 and 35.0 kg/m² at screening
- Active Prospera ZEDE eResidency or Physical Residency
- Stable comorbid conditions for at least 3 months prior to screening
- Postmenopausal status (women)
- Willingness to use reliable contraception for 6 months following therapy
- Low or undetectable antibody titers to AAV9 (≤1:100 by ELISA)
What rules you out
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intent to become pregnant; premenopausal status (unless ≥12 months amenorrhea or FSH ≥30 IU/L)
- people who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse within 1 year of study entry
- Initiation of prohibited medications, supplements, or interventions during the study period that may confound how well it works or safety assessments
- Active malignancy or ANY history of cancer
- Strong family history of cancer in first-degree relatives (≥2 relatives with cancer diagnosed \<60 years) OR known hereditary cancer syndrome (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni, FAP, HNPCC) without genetic counseling...
- Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including:
- Any history of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI), or unstable angina (regardless of time since event)
- Diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) documented by coronary angiography or stress testing
- Significant atherosclerotic disease at any location (stenosis ≥50% in carotid, femoral, or other major arteries)
- Prior coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG])
- Prior valvular repair or replacement
- History or current diagnosis of heart failure
- Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP \>140 mmHg or DBP \>85 mmHg despite treatment)
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<50%, QTc ≥480 ms, or severe valvular heart disease
- Ventricular arrhythmias requiring chronic drug treatment or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- Presence of pacemaker or persistent left bundle branch block (LBBB)
- Known diagnosed cardiomyopathy of any etiology
- Significant left ventricular hypertrophy, defined as maximal left ventricular wall thickness ≥15 mm in any segment at end-diastole (by echocardiography or cardiac MRI)
- Known or suspected hypercoagulable state/thrombophilia, including any of the following:
- Any history of venous thromboembolism (DVT, PE, or thrombosis at any site), particularly if:
- Unprovoked, or
- Associated with only minor provoking factors (e.g., minor surgery, combined oral contraceptives, short-term immobilization)
- Recurrent thrombotic events, including recurrent superficial venous thrombosis
- Thrombosis at unusual sites, including but not limited to:
- Mesenteric, portal, or splenic vein thrombosis
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
- Hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome)
- Renal vein thrombosis
- Retinal vein thrombosis
- Superior vena cava thrombosis not related to central venous catheterization
- Strong family history of venous or arterial thrombosis at a young age in first-degree relatives
- History of recurrent pregnancy loss or severe obstetric complications suggestive of a hypercoagulable state
- High-degree myopia (≥ -6.0 diopters) or pathological myopia without ophthalmologic clearance
- Any history of retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or retinal vascular disease (diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, age-related macular degeneration with neovascularization)
- Use of systemic anti-VEGF therapy (e.g., bevacizumab)
- Current use of prohibited medications or supplements (see Section 4.3)
- Fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L (≥126 mg/dL) at screening
- HbA1c ≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/mol) at screening
- Current diabetes mellitus (any type)
- History of peptic ulcer disease within 12 months
- Known osteoporosis (DXA T-score ≤ -2.5 at the hip or spine)
- Severe pulmonary disease, including COPD or restrictive lung disease (FVC \<49% predicted)
- Advanced renal disease (CKD stage 3-5, eGFR \<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) or dialysis dependence
- Chronic liver disease or hepatic impairment:
- Any history of cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV), autoimmune hepatitis, or cholestatic liver disease
- Active hepatitis or evidence of hepatic decompensation
- ALT or AST \>1.5× upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Total bilirubin \>1.5× ULN (unless due to Gilbert's syndrome)
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and clinically significant liver fibrosis
- Active cholecystitis, symptomatic gallbladder disease (e.g., biliary colic), or any other clinically significant hepatobiliary abnormality
- Neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, psychiatric, or movement disorders associated with functional or cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease)
- History of drug-induced myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
- Elevated creatine kinase (CK) at screening CK \>1.0× ULN confirmed on two separate occasions at least 48 hours apart
- Exception: Transient CK elevation within 72 hours of strenuous exercise, intramuscular injections, or trauma is permitted if CK normalizes (≤1.0× ULN) on repeat testing before baseline visit
- Systemic connective tissue diseases (CTDs), including:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), SLE overlap syndromes, or drug-induced SLE
- Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma): diffuse, limited, or sine scleroderma
- Inflammatory myopathies: polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), inclusion body myositis (IBM), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), or overlap myositis
- Primary Sjögren's syndrome requiring systemic immunosuppression (corticosteroids \>10 mg/day prednisone equivalent, DMARDs, or biologics)
- Rheumatoid arthritis with extra-articular manifestations or requiring biologic DMARDs
- Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) meeting ≥2 CTD classification criteria
- Current or recent (within 3 months) use of immunosuppressive agents, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, IVIG, or rituximab
- Acute bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, fever, or receipt of live vaccines within 30 days prior to screening
- Infectious disease exclusions, including:
- Active hepatitis B infection or reactivation risk (HBsAg positive, HBV DNA detectable, or isolated anti-HBc without anti-HBs)
- Hepatitis C infection (detectable HCV RNA or treatment within 6 months)
- HIV infection
- Active or latent tuberculosis (positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus ≥0.35 IU/mL)
- Acute herpesvirus infection, defined as
- Active HSV-1 or HSV-2 lesions (vesicles, ulcers, crusts) on clinical examination at screening
- CMV or EBV IgM positive
- Increased bleeding risk, including platelet count \<100 ×10⁹/L, active anticoagulation (unless washout possible), or known coagulation disorders
- Severe physical functional limitation (CFS\>6)
- Prior exposure to any AAV gene therapy product (any AAV serotype)
- Prior exposure to any investigational drug within 90 days
- Participation in another clinical trial within 90 days
- Known hypersensitivity to investigational product components or immunosuppressive agents (e.g., prednisone, rapamycin)
- Life expectancy \<6 months
- Any condition that, in the Investigator's judgment, may pose undue risk, interfere with study outcomes, or impair study participation
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it's taking place
- Coxen Hole, Bay Islands, Honduras
Compensation & support
Compensation mentioned.
ClinicalTrials.gov doesn't provide a reliable structured field for payment or travel support - confirm details with the study team.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This study's listing includes signals that participants may be compensated or receive a stipend. Amounts vary and are set by the study team - confirm the details with them.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 35 years to 75 years. Healthy volunteers may be eligible. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
Study sites include Coxen Hole, Bay Islands, Honduras. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.