Alzheimer's stem cell trial pulled before it even started
NCT ID NCT04228666
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial aimed to test the safety of giving four infusions of a patient's own fat-derived stem cells to people with early Alzheimer's disease. It was designed for adults aged 50-85 with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no data on safety or effectiveness were collected.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HB-adMSCs)
- What this could lead to
- If this approach had worked, it could have pointed toward a way to slow or manage Alzheimer's disease progression using a patient's own stem cells.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available. Stem cell treatments for Alzheimer's are still highly experimental, with uncertain benefits and potential risks like infusion reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Started
-
Mar 2020
- Expected to finish
-
Feb 2022
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
50 to 85 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Men, and women of non-childbearing potential, 50-85 years of age inclusively, with a diagnosis of early stage's (preclinical/mild cognitive impairment) Probable Alzheimer's Disease according to the 2011 NIA-AA criteria. * Non-childbearing potential for women is defined as postmenopausal \[last natural menses greater than 24 months; in women under age 55, menopausal status will be documented with serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test\] or undergone a documented bilateral tubal ligation or hysterectomy. * Male participants who are sexually active with a woman of childbearing potential must agree to use condoms during the trial unless the woman is using an acceptable means of birth control. Acceptable forms of birth control include abstinence, birth control pills, or any double combination of intrauterine device (IUD), male or female condom and diaphragm. 2. Informed consent signed by the subject 3. Documented Amyloid PET Scan (images and report) positive to amyloid plaques deposits on the brain. 4. If the patient is under any treatment, should have been on a stable dose for at least 30 days prior to signing the informed consent form and there is no intention to modify the dose over the course of the study. (NOTE: Cholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) (donepezil, galantamine, or rivastigmine) may not be initiated, discontinued or modified after study initiation for the 12-months control period). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Hospitalization or change of chronic concomitant medication within one month prior to screening. 2. Clinically significant or unstable disease that may interfere with outcome evaluations, including but not limited to: * Respiratory Insufficiency * Poorly managed hypertension (systolic \>160 mm Hg and/or diastolic \>95 mm Hg) or hypotension (systolic \<90 mm Hg and/or diastolic \<60 mm Hg); or * Bradycardia (\<50 beats/min.) or tachycardia (\>100 beats/min.). Otherwise healthy subjects with borderline bradycardia may be discussed with the medical monitor to determine eligibility. * Renal insufficiency, defined as eGFR \<40 mL/min based on the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) formula, https://www.mdcalc.com/ckd-epi-equations-glomerular-filtration-rate-gfr * Heart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, heart failure, cardiomyopathy within 3 months before screening). If a subject has a history of heart disease of questionable clinical significance, the medical monitor may be contacted to discuss eligibility. 3. Records of PET Scan negative to Amyloid plaques deposition in the brain. 4. Suspected or known drug or alcohol abuse, i.e. more than approximately 60 g alcohol (approximately 1 liter of beer or 0.5 liter of wine) per day. 5. Acute intercurrent infections such as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Syphilis. 6. Contraindications for PET scanning, including implanted metallic devices (e.g. non-MRI-safe cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator; some artificial joints metal pins; surgical clips; or other implanted metal parts), or claustrophobia or discomfort in confined spaces. 7. Is unable or unwilling to comply with protocol follow-up requirements. 8. Enrollment in another investigational study or intake of investigational drug within the previous 30 days. 9. Any condition, which in the opinion of the investigator or the sponsor makes the patient unsuitable for inclusion.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Clinical Trial Network
Houston, Texas, 77074, United States
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