New hand transplant protocol aims to cut lifelong drug risks

NCT ID NCT01459107

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This Phase 2 trial at Johns Hopkins University will transplant donated hands onto 30 people who have lost one or both hands or arms. The key innovation is a bone marrow cell therapy designed to allow the body to accept the new hand with just one low-dose anti-rejection drug, instead of the usual three-drug cocktail. The goal is to restore function and appearance while reducing the long-term risks of infection, cancer, and other side effects from standard immunosuppression.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

deceased donor hand transplantation combined with bone marrow cell therapy and single-drug immunosuppression

What this could lead to

If successful, this could make hand transplants safer and more widely available by reducing the need for strong, lifelong anti-rejection drugs.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 2 trial with only 30 participants. The new immunosuppression approach may still cause rejection, infection, or other side effects, and results may not apply to everyone.

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.

Amputation, Traumatic Hand Injuries injury

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

    Phone: •••-•••-••••

Locations

  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

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

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••