Could tiny stem cell vesicles ease arthritic knees?

NCT ID NCT06466850

Disease control Sponsor: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether exosomes—tiny particles from stem cells—can help people with knee osteoarthritis. Twenty adults with mild to moderate knee arthritis will receive two injections of these exosomes into the knee joint. Researchers will measure changes in pain and knee function using a standard questionnaire.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: exosomes (stem cell-derived vesicles)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new non-surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis that reduces pain and improves joint function.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply widely. Exosome therapy is still experimental and its long-term safety and effectiveness are unknown.

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

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 20 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jan 2024

Expected to finish

Dec 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

45 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Chronic history (for at least 3 months) of knee joint pain * Body mass index (BMI) between 21.5 and 29.5 * Radiographically documented knee osteoarthritis of grades 1 to 3 (Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) radiographic classification scale) Exclusion Criteria: * Rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases * Varus or valgus more than 10 degrees; lateral subluxation of the patella * Deformity at the joint levels or adjacent to the knee due to fracture or any other injury * Complete rupture of the ligament and meniscus leading to laxity or locking * Serious systemic, oncohematological, autoimmune diseases; history of severe allergy; serious failure of vital organs, inability to walk * Hyaluronic acid infiltration within the previous six months * Hemoglobin levels \<10 g/dL;

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Osteoarthritis, knee

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could tiny stem cell vesicles ease arthritic knees?

What the study statuses mean