Own stem cells may heal scarred vocal cords and restore voice

NCT ID NCT04290182

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Karolinska University Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase trial tested whether injecting a patient's own stem cells into scarred vocal folds could safely improve severe hoarseness. Nine adults with untreatable voice problems received the stem cell injection during surgery. Researchers monitored side effects and voice function for one year to see if the treatment was safe and could help restore their voice.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: patient's own mesenchymal stromal cells (stem cells)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a lasting treatment for severe hoarseness caused by vocal fold scarring, where no effective options exist today.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small trial (9 people) with no control group, so results may not apply widely. The treatment is also surgical, with inherent risks.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for APHONIA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Aphonia Hoarseness spasmodic dystonia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

APHONIA DYSPHONIA HOARSENESS VOCAL FOLD SCAR

Contacts and locations

Locations

Karolinska Trial Alliance

Stockholm, Stockholm County, 11324, Sweden

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.