Cord blood stem cells take on lupus in new trial

NCT ID NCT02633163

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested whether a single infusion of stem cells from donated umbilical cords could help adults with lupus that does not respond to standard treatments. 81 participants received either a low dose, high dose, or placebo infusion, while continuing their usual medications. The goal was to see if the stem cell group had better disease control at 24 weeks, measured by a standard lupus activity score.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
What this could lead to: If this works, it could point toward a new treatment option for people with lupus that is not controlled by current therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a phase II trial with only 81 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Stem cell treatments can have side effects like infusion reactions or infection, and the benefit over standard care is not yet proven.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

systemic lupus erythematosus

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States
University of California - San Diego

San Diego, California, 92093, United States
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
University of Rochester Medical Center

Rochester, New York, 14642, United States

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