Experimental injection aims to heal painful fistulas in kids with Crohn's
NCT ID NCT04701411
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a treatment called darvadstrocel for children with Crohn's disease who have complex perianal fistulas (abnormal tunnels near the anus). Seven participants received an injection of the treatment near the fistula after a cleaning procedure. The goal was to see if the fistulas would close and stay closed for up to a year. However, the study was stopped early, so we have very little data on how well it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- darvadstrocel (a cell therapy injection near the fistula)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to close complex fistulas in children with Crohn's disease, potentially reducing pain and infections.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 7 participants, so results are very limited. It is unclear if the treatment is effective or safe in children.
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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7 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2021
- Finished
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May 2025
- 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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4 to 17 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. Has a CD diagnosis based on accepted clinical, endoscopic, histological and/or radiologic criteria at least 6 months before the screening visit. 2. Has complex perianal fistula refractory to at least one of the following treatments: immunosuppressants or biologics (anti-TNFs, anti-integrin, anti-interleukin \[IL\] 12/23). Fistula(s) refractory to therapy is defined in this study as follows: Immunosuppressants: Inadequate response after 3 months, based on clinical assessment, or more treatment with azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or methotrexate. Biologics: Inadequate response after 14 weeks (16 weeks for anti-IL 12/23), based on clinical assessment, or more standard treatment for induction and maintenance. 3. A complex perianal fistula(s) that meets one or more of the following criteria, modified from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) technical review: High intersphincteric, transsphincteric, extrasphincteric, or suprasphincteric as assessed by MRI. Presence of 2 or 3 external openings (tracts) as assessed by clinical examination. Associated fluid (abscess) collections as determined by MRI. This study requires that the participant has complex perianal fistulas with a maximum of 2 internal openings and a maximum of 3 external openings, based on clinical assessment. Darvadstrocel treatment is targeted for fistulas that connect between internal and external openings. A central reading of a locally performed pelvic MRI will be performed to confirm the location of the fistula and potential associated perianal abscess(es). Fistulas must have been draining for at least 6 weeks before the screening visit. Participants with actively draining simple subcutaneous fistulas, at the time of the screening visit, are not allowed in this study. 4. Has inactive or mildly active luminal CD defined by meeting all of the following criteria: 1. Colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or rectoscopy performed either at screening or within the 6 months before screening, demonstrating no rectal ulcers larger than 0.5 cm. A participant who has documented rectal ulcers larger than 0.5 cm within the 6 months before screening but has undergone subsequent treatment may be eligible if there are no rectal ulcers larger than 0.5 cm on a sigmoidoscopy or rectoscopy performed after treatment or at the time of screening. 2. The improvement of, or no worsening in stool frequency, sustained for 1 week or more, in the interval between the colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or rectoscopy in inclusion criteria 4(a) and the screening visit. 3. No initiation or intensification of treatment with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or monoclonal antibody dose regimen between the colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or rectoscopy in inclusion criteria 4(a) and the screening visit. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has received any investigational compound within 12 weeks/84 days before screening. 2. Has received darvadstrocel/eASC in a previous clinical study or as a therapeutic agent. 3. The participant weighs \<10 kg at screening. 4. Has concomitant perianal fistula(s) with only internal or external opening(s). 5. Has concomitant internal fistula(s) such as ileo-vesical, rectovaginal or ileo-colonic fistula(s). 6. Has an abscess \>2 cm, unless resolved in the preparation procedure. 7. Has rectal and/or anal stenosis, and/or active proctitis, which would restrict the surgical procedure. 8. The participant underwent surgery for the fistula other than drainage or seton placement. 9. Has diverting stomas. 10. Has ongoing systemic corticosteroid treatment or has been treated with systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks before screening. 11. The participant requires new treatment with immunosuppressants/anti-TNF agents during the screening period. 12. The participant has known or suspected COVID-19 by the investigator within the past 2 months (additional testing may be performed at the discretion of the investigator). Positive antibody testing for COVID without other evidence of current or recent active infection does not exclude participation. Participants who were in screening at the time that COVID-19-related factors resulted in discontinuation may also be rescreened with approval of the sponsor or designee. 13. The participant requires surgery in the perianal region for reasons other than fistulas at the time of screening or foreseen either during the study and/or during the 24 weeks after treatment administration. 14. Has malignant tumor or a prior history of any malignant tumor, including any type of fistula carcinoma. 15. Has current or recent (within 3 months before the screening) history of abnormal, severe, progressive, uncontrolled hepatic, hematologic, gastrointestinal (except CD), endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, neurological, psychiatric, or cerebral disease. 16. Has either congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, including participants known to be HIV carriers or participants with, in the judgment of the investigator, are suspected to have monogenic inflammatory bowel disease. 17. Has previously received a bone marrow transplant. 18. Has a contraindication to MRI scan or other planned study procedures. 19. Has a contraindication to the anesthetic procedure. 20. Had major surgery or severe trauma within 6 months before the screening visit.
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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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Amsterdam UMC, Locatie AMC
Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
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Erasmus Medisch Centrum
Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Netherlands
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Gabinet Lekarski Bartosz Korczowski
Rzeszów, 35-302, Poland
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Hadassah University Hospital-Mt. Scopus
Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
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Hospital Infantil Universitario Nino Jesus
Madrid, 28009, Spain
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Hospital Materno-Infantil de Malaga
Málaga, 29011, Spain
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Hospital Sant Joan de Deu
Barcelona, 8950, Spain
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Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol
Badalona, 8916, Spain
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Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Barcelona, 8035, Spain
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Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz
Madrid, 28040, Spain
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Instytut "Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka"
Warsaw, 04-730, Poland
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Jichi Medical University Hospital
Shimotsuke-shi, 329-0498, Japan
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Juntendo University Hospital
Bunkyō City, 113-8431, Japan
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Medical Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Bunkyō City, 113-8519, Japan
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Mie University Hospital
Tsu, 514-8507, Japan
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Miyagi Children's Hospital
Sendai, 989-3126, Japan
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Rambam Health Care Campus
Haifa, 3109601, Israel
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Schneider Children's Medical Center
Petah Tikva, 4920235, Israel
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Shaare Zedek Medical Center
Jerusalem, 91031, Israel
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Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh)
Be’er Ya‘aqov, 7033001, Israel
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Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen (UMCG)
Groningen, 9713 GZ, Netherlands
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Uniwersytecki Szpital Dzieciecy w Krakowie
Krakow, 30-663, Poland
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