Stem cell infusions aim to tame COVID-19 inflammation
NCT ID NCT04362189
First seen Jun 27, 2026 ยท Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether infusions of stem cells from donated fat tissue could help people with COVID-19. The trial planned to enroll 48 adults and compare four doses of stem cells against a placebo. The goal was to see if the treatment could reduce inflammation and improve oxygen levels. However, the study was terminated early, so the full results are not available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HB-adMSCs)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment that reduces severe inflammation and helps COVID-19 patients recover faster.
- What could go wrong
- This trial was terminated early with only 48 participants, so results are limited. Stem cell therapies are still experimental and may not prove effective or safe for COVID-19.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
48 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2020
- Finished
-
Sep 2021
- 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
-
Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- 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, over 18 years of age inclusively. 2. Patient is suspected to have COVID-19 infection. 3. Provides consent or consent is given by their legally authorized representative (LAR). 4. Agrees to the collection of venous blood per protocol. 5. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and men (if their sexual partners are WOCBP) must use at least 1 highly effective form of birth control throughout the study and for 6 months after the last dose of study treatment. Highly effective methods of birth control include true sexual abstinence (defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk, in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient), surgery (bilateral tubal ligation or occlusion, vasectomized partner), progestogen-only or estrogen/progestogen hormonal contraceptive associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, patch, injectable, implantable, or intravaginal), intrauterine device (IUD), or intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy, lactation and those who are not pregnant but do not take effective contraceptive measures, in women of childbearing age. Absence of pregnancy will be confirmed through urine pregnancy test. 2. Patients who have participated or are participating in a clinical trial of an experimental vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus during the study or within 30 days. 3. Inability to provide informed consent or to comply with study requirements. 4. Patients with the following concomitant or past medical history: * Both Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus. * Both Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease. * Both Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease. 5. History or evidence of alcohol abuse. 6. History or evidence of consumption of illicit drugs. 7. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation. 8. Patients who are determined by the Principal Investigator to be unsuitable for study enrollment for other reasons. 9. Any medical disease or condition that, in the opinion of the site Principal Investigator or sub-investigator, precludes study participation. Including acute, subacute, intermittent or chronic medical disease or condition that would place the subject at an unacceptable risk of injury, render the subject unable to meet the requirements of the protocol, or may interfere with the evaluation of responses or the subject's successful completion of this trial.
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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
-
River Oaks Hospital and Clinics
Houston, Texas, 77027, United States
-
United Memorial Medical Center
Houston, Texas, 77091, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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