On April 20, 2026, an important milestone was reached in the field of multiple sclerosis research. The Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) and the Spanish Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios granted authorization for a Phase IIa clinical trial sponsored by the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA). This study will evaluate tolDC, a personalized cell therapy, in patients with progressive forms of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS).
This multicenter clinical trial reflects a strong international collaboration, bringing together leading researchers and clinicians from Belgium and Spain. Among the key partners is Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol in Barcelona, contributing its expertise to advance this innovative therapeutic approach. Further details about the study can be accessed through the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS).
The trial, named LUMINA-MS, represents a significant step forward in the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). It focuses on autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells, an emerging strategy designed to restore immune tolerance in autoimmune conditions. These cells are developed at the Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH) at the University of Antwerp.
LUMINA-MS is powered by the H2020-ReSToRe program and supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-TBM), highlighting the importance of European funding and cross-border collaboration in tackling complex diseases like MS.
With this study, researchers aim not only to explore a novel therapeutic pathway but also to bring new hope to patients living with progressive multiple sclerosis, a condition for which treatment options remain limited.