Stem cell gel could offer new hope for knee arthritis sufferers

NCT ID NCT07339111

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Phase 3 trial tests whether a gel made from donated umbilical cord stem cells (CARTISTEM) can reduce pain and improve knee function better than a simple surgical cleanup (debridement) in people with knee cartilage damage and osteoarthritis. About 300 adults aged 18-75 with moderate knee osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to receive either the stem cell gel plus debridement or debridement alone. The study will track pain and function for two years, and also use MRI to see if the treatment can slow arthritis progression.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

CARTISTEM (human umbilical cord blood stem cells mixed with hyaluronic acid gel)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could provide a new treatment option that reduces knee pain and improves function, potentially slowing osteoarthritis progression without major surgery.

What could go wrong

This is a single Phase 3 trial with 300 participants. The stem cell gel may not prove superior to simple debridement, and long-term safety or effectiveness is not yet established.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

Locations

  • AZ Orthopedic

    RECRUITING

    Tempe, Arizona, 85224, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Atrium Health Mercy

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Charlotte, North Carolina, 28207, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Curalta Clinical Trials

    RECRUITING

    Westwood, New Jersey, 07662, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Flourish Research Birmingham

    RECRUITING

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35205, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Flourish Research San Antonio

    RECRUITING

    San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • HD Research Corp.

    RECRUITING

    Houston, Texas, 77401, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Horizon Clinical Research

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    La Mesa, California, 91924, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • JBR Clinical Research

    RECRUITING

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84107, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Mayo Clinic Rochester

    RECRUITING

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Memorial Hermann Center

    RECRUITING

    Houston, Texas, 77043, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • New York Presbyterian Queens

    RECRUITING

    Flushing, New York, 11355, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Orthopedic Centers of Colorado

    RECRUITING

    Parker, Colorado, 80134, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Source Healthcare

    RECRUITING

    Santa Monica, California, 90403, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute

    RECRUITING

    Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 80487, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • The Ohio State University Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute

    RECRUITING

    Columbus, Ohio, 43202, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • TriWest Research Associates

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    El Cajon, California, 91910, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Cincinnati Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

    RECRUITING

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • West Clinical Research

    RECRUITING

    Morehead City, North Carolina, 28557, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Zenos Clinical Research

    RECRUITING

    Dallas, Texas, 75230, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••