Stem cell patch shows promise for diabetic foot wounds
NCT ID NCT04569409
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This Phase 3 study tested a sheet of donated stem cells (ALLO-ASC-DFU) on diabetic foot ulcers that have not healed for weeks. 104 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and Wagner grade 2 ulcers were randomly assigned to receive the stem cell sheet or a placebo sheet. The main goal was to see if the stem cell sheet helped more wounds close completely.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ALLO-ASC-DFU (a sheet of donated stem cells applied to the wound)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new treatment to help diabetic foot ulcers heal faster and more completely, reducing the risk of infection or amputation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 3 trial, but with only 104 participants, results may not apply to everyone. The treatment is a sheet applied to the wound, so it may not work for deeper or more complex ulcers.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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104 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2020
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- 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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19 to 75 years
- 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: 1. Subject is between 19 and 75 years of age. 2. Subject is diagnosed with Type I or Type II diabetics. 3. Diabetic foot ulcer has been more than 4 weeks but less than 52 weeks at the screening visit. 4. Ulcer located in the foot and ulcer size is between 1.5\~15 cm2. 5. Ulcer graded 2 by Wagner grade. 6. Foot ulcer extended to ligament, tendon, joint capsule, fascia, muscle and periosteum. 7. Ulcer is free of necrotic debris. 8. Ulcer area blood circulation meets one of the following criteria; * Blood vessels around the ulcer detected by Doppler Test * Range of Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is \> 0.7 to \< 1.3 * Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure (TcPO2) \> 30mmHg or Toe Blood Pressure (TBP) \> 40mmHg. * Skin Perfusion Pressure (SPP) \> 30mmHg 9. Subject is able to give written informed consent prior to study start and willing to comply with the study requirements. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Ulcer is of non-diabetic pathophysiology. 2. There is gangrene in any part of the target foot ulcer. 3. The longest dimension of the target foot ulcer exceeds 15 cm at the enrollment visit. 4. Other wounds within 2cm of the target foot ulcer. 5. The ulcer has increased or decreased in size by ≥ 30% during two weeks after the screening visit. 6. Patient requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat foot wound infection at the screening and enrollment visit. 7. Current evidence of active charcot on the study foot, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, or evidence of other infection including fever or purulent drainage from wound site. 8. Patient with skin lesion confirmed by biopsy (when Investigator deems suspicious) and then judged by Investigator to be an etiology other than diabetic foot ulcer. 9. An active malignant tumor(malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma) on the body or skin. 10. Have a glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of \> 14% 11. Have random blood sugar \> 450mg/dL 12. Have severe renal failure with creatinine \> 3.0mg/dL. 13. Have severe hepatic deficiencies * Total bilirubin ≥ 1.5×upper normal limit(UNL) * AST, ALT ≥ 2.0×UNL * Serum albumin \< 2.0mg/dL 14. Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive 15. Have a known history of allergic or hypersensitive reaction to bovine-derived proteins or fibrin glue 16. Pregnant or breast-feeding. 17. Is unwilling to use an acceptable method of birth control during the whole study. 18. Have a clinically relevant history of alcohol or drugs abuse at the screening visit. 19. Is not able to understand the objective of the study or to comply with the study requirements 20. Is considered by the Investigator to have a significant disease which might impact the study 21. Is considered not suitable for the study by Investigator 22. Have a history of malignancy within the last 5 years (except carcinoma in situ) 23. Is currently or were enrolled in another clinical study within 60 days of screening 24. Have undergone wound treatments with growth factors, dermal substitutes, or other biological therapies within the last 30 days. 25. Is receiving oral or parenteral corticosteroids, any immunosuppressive, or cytotoxic agents with unstable dose within the last 30 days 26. Cannot maintain off-loading process and device.
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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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Asan Medical Center
Seoul, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
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Borame Medical Center
Seoul, Seoul, 07061, South Korea
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Bucheon ST. Mary's Hospital
Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, 14647, South Korea
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Korea University Guro Hospital
Seoul, Seoul, 08308, South Korea
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Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Gyeonggi-do, Seongnam-si, 13620, South Korea
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gene therapy shots aim to save legs from amputation in diabetes
- New wound dressing put to the test against diabetic foot ulcers
- Silver and sound: can ultrasound push nanoparticles into diabetic wounds?
- Zapping a leg nerve: can a wearable device help stubborn ulcers heal?
- Wound dressings that trap microbes: scientists test a Drug-Free approach
- Can a traditional herbal mix save limbs from diabetic ulcers?