Gene therapy shots aim to save legs from amputation

NCT ID NCT01064440

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

Summary

This study tested a gene therapy called VM202 (Engensis) in 52 people with critical limb ischemia, a severe form of leg artery disease that causes pain and can lead to amputation. Participants received either low-dose, high-dose, or placebo injections into their calf muscles. The goal was to see if the treatment is safe and can reduce pain and improve blood flow. Results will help decide if larger studies are warranted.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

VM202 (Engensis), a DNA plasmid given as injections into the calf muscle

What this could lead to

If successful, VM202 could offer a new way to reduce pain and improve blood flow in people with severe leg artery disease, potentially saving limbs from amputation.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 2 trial with only 52 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment involves multiple injections and may cause side effects; it is not yet proven to work better than placebo.

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.

Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia limb ischemia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Boston University School of Medicine

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States

  • Cardiology PC

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35211, United States

  • Ewha Womans University Medical Center

    Seoul, YangCheon-ku, 158-710, South Korea

  • Jobst Vascular

    Toledo, Ohio, 43506, United States

  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

  • Saint Louis University

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

  • Seoul National University

    Seoul, Jongno-gu, 110-744, South Korea

  • St. Vincent Medical Group

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46290, United States

  • Texas Heart Institute

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • The Methodist Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • UNC School of Medicine

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

  • University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States

  • University of Oklahoma HSC

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States

  • University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States

  • Vascular and Interventional Specialist of Orange County

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

  • Yonsei University Health System. Severance Cardiovascular Hospital

    Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, 120-752, South Korea