Could stem cells heal painful fistulas in kids with Crohn's?
NCT ID NCT04791878
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether injecting stem cells from donated bone marrow could help heal perianal fistulas in teenagers with Crohn's disease. Six patients aged 13-17 received injections of 75 million stem cells directly into the fistula tract, with a possible second dose after 3 months. The main goal was to check safety, and the study was terminated before reaching its target of 10 participants.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells
- What this could lead to
- If this approach is safe and effective, it could point toward a new way to heal fistulas in children with Crohn's disease without major surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early (phase 1) and small study that was terminated early, so we don't have enough data to know if it works. Stem cell injections can cause side effects like infection or inflammation.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States