Can your own muscle cells fix swallowing? early trial begins

NCT ID NCT02838316

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

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether injecting a person's own muscle cells into the tongue can safely improve swallowing problems caused by cancer treatment. The study involves 18 adults who had surgery, chemo, or radiation for oropharyngeal cancer at least two years ago. Researchers will monitor for side effects over 12 months and check if swallowing function gets better.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Autologous muscle derived stem cells (AMDC-GIR)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new treatment to improve swallowing in people with tongue weakness after cancer therapy.

What could go wrong

This is a very early Phase 1 safety trial with only 18 people. It is not designed to prove effectiveness, and the treatment may not improve swallowing or could cause side effects.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Deglutition Disorders oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • UC Davis Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States