Could umbilical cord stem cells ease muscle weakness in FSHD?
NCT ID NCT07086521
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage study tests whether stem cells from umbilical cord lining can safely help people with FSHD, a genetic muscle-weakening disease. Sixteen adults will receive two doses of the cells and two doses of a placebo (saline) through an IV, in random order. The main goal is to check safety and see if symptoms improve.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 16 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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15 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Participants will be ≥15 years old. * Diagnosis of genetically confirmed FHSD 1 or FSHD 2. * Participants should have a Ricci clinical severity score of ≥3 (range is out of 0-10), at screening, and must be independently ambulatory at the time of the study. * Participant will have the ability to comply with the requirements of the study, including MRI. * All participants of reproductive age/capacity will be required to use adequate contraception, defined as two forms of highly effective contraceptives, with any partners during the study period and for at least three months beyond the study period for safety. * Participant will have the ability to understand and provide written informed consent. * For those participants who are on drug(s) or supplements that may affect muscle function, as determined by the Investigator, participants must be on a stable dose of that drug(s) or supplement for at least 3 months prior to the first dose of study drug and remain on that stable dose for the duration of the study. This includes the following drug category: o Immunomodulatory agents, including targeted biological therapies. * Reduced upper arm strength as measured by the Performance of Upper Limb score of ≤5. * Current and up-to-date immunizations. * Total relative reachable surface area (RSA) (Q1-Q4) without weight in the dominant upper extremity assessed by reachable workspace (RWS) ≥ 0.2 and ≤ 0.7. * No contraindications to MRI. * Hematocrit of ≤ 50% * Prostate-specific antigen ≤ 4.0 ng/mL (or ≤ 3.0 ng/mL if the participant has a first-degree relative with prostate cancer) * Fasting blood glucose \<126 mg/dL Exclusion Criteria: * Hypersensitivity to study product components including history of hypersensitivity to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). * Active cancer or prior diagnosis of cancer within the past year (patients with basal and squamous cell cancer of skin will not be excluded). * Any other condition that, in the judgment of the Investigator or Sponsor, would be a contraindication to enrollment, study product administration, or follow-up. * Treatment with an investigational product within three months prior to randomization. * Known active opportunistic or life-threatening infections including Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C. * Known active or inactive tuberculosis infection. * Use of a product that putatively enhances muscle growth or activity on a chronic basis within 4 weeks before baseline * Orally administered cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) substrates and multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) and organic anion transporter (OAT)3 substrates are not permitted as concomitant therapy. * Statin treatment initiation or significant adjustment to statin regimen within 3 months before baseline (stable, chronic statin use is permissible). * Rapamycin treatment within 3 months before baseline. * Evidence of an alternative diagnosis other than FSHD or a coexisting myopathy or dystrophy, based on prior muscle biopsy or other available investigations. * Muscle biopsy within 30 days before baseline. * A systolic blood pressure over 160 or a diastolic pressure over 100 * Heavy alcohol use (greater than 50g/day) * Current testosterone or HGH use * Current use of medications that interfere with the growth hormone or gonadal endocrine axis. * Pregnant of lactating participants. * Concomitant severe cardiac, pulmonary disease, active infection, or other conditions that preclude assessment of safety and efficacy of the study product. * Anticipated need for surgery during the trial period. * A history of prevalent noncompliance with medical therapy. * Recipient of an organ transplant. * Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \<1,800/mm\^3 \[or \<1,000/mm\^3 in African-American participants\]). * Severe impairment in renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 ml/kg\*min). * Recent of planned use of vaccination with live attenuated viruses. * Condition that would impair an assessment of muscle strength, including neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or severe musculoskeletal condition.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
RECRUITINGPalo Alto, California, 94304, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- FSHD drug trial halted midway: what happened?
- Experimental drug losmapimod tested for rare muscle disease
- New study aims to design better braces for FSHD patients using MRI and motion capture