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Fetal stem cells aim to mend broken bones in infants
NCT ID NCT03706482
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tests whether fetal stem cells given before or after birth can safely help infants with severe osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition causing fragile bones and frequent fractures. Up to 18 children will receive multiple doses of the cells. The main goal is to check safety, but researchers will also track fracture rates and bone density.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- fetal liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BOOST cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment that reduces fractures and improves bone strength in children with severe brittle bone disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial (18 participants) focused mainly on safety. The cells may cause immune reactions or fail to improve bone health, and long-term effects 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
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
18 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2019
- Expected to finish
-
Apr 2030
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
-
Up to 18 months
- 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 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 Postnatal Group: 1. Parent's/legal guardian's signed informed-consent form 2. Clinical diagnosis of OI type III or severe type IV AND 3. Molecular diagnosis of OI (Glycine substitution in the collagen triple-helix encoding region of either the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene) 4. Age less than 18 months (calculated from gestational week 40+0, i.e. the corrected age) 5. Parent/legal guardian over 18 years of age Inclusion Criteria Prenatal Group: 1. Woman has signed the informed-consent form 2. Only women where termination of the pregnancy is no longer possible or where the women are committed to continue the pregnancy may be included in the trial 3. Suspicion of OI type III or severe type IV in the fetus on ultrasound findings AND 4. Molecular diagnosis of OI in the fetus (Glycine substitution in the collagen triple-helix encoding region of either the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene) 5. Gestation age between 16+0 and 35+6 weeks+days 6. Pregnant woman over 18 years of age Inclusion Criteria Historical Control Group: 1. Parent's/legal guardian's signed informed-consent form 2. Clinical and molecular diagnosis of OI (Glycine substitution in the collagen triple-helix encoding region of either the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene) 3. Data on fractures and growth is available 4. Parent/legal guardian over 18 years of age Inclusion Criteria Prospective Untreated Control Group: * Postnatal inclusion: The inclusion criteria for the postnatal group apply. * Prenatal inclusion: The inclusion criteria for the prenatal group apply, except inclusion criteria 2. Exclusion Criteria Postnatal Group: 1. Existence of other known disorder that might interfere with the treatment, such as, but not limited to organ dysfunction (for example liver or renal failure or bronchopulmonary dysplasia), congenital heart defect, hypoxic encephalopathy l-lll, severe neurological problems, immune deficiencies, muscle diseases, severe malformations or syndromes diagnosed by clinical examination. 2. Any contraindication for invasive procedures such as a moderate/severe bleeding tendency 3. Known risk factors for clotting, such as, but not limited to previous blood clot, family history of clots, clotting disorder (inherited or acquired), heart failure, inflammatory disorders (for example lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease) 4. Positive Donor Specific Antibody-test 5. Known allergy/hypersensitivity to Fungizone and/or Gensumycin 6. Abnormal karyotype or other confirmed genetic syndromes 7. Oncologic disease (previous or current malignancy) 8. Inability to comply with the trial protocol and follow-up schedule 9. Inability to understand the information and to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria Prenatal Group: 1. Multiple pregnancy 2. Co-existence of other disorder that might interfere with the treatment, as judged by the Investigator or the patient's obstetrician 3. Abnormal fetal karyotype or other confirmed genetic syndrome 4. Any contraindication for invasive procedures such as a bleeding tendency or contagious infections, such as, but not limited to HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or other known infectious diseases that can harm the fetus 5. Known risk factors for clotting, such as, but not limited to previous blood clot, family history of clots, clotting disorder (inherited or acquired), heart failure, inflammatory disorders (for example lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease) 6. Positive Donor Specific Antibody-test 7. Known allergy/hypersensitivity to Fungizone and/or Gensumycin 8. Oncologic disease in woman or fetus (previous or current malignancy) 9. Unwilling to or cannot undergo delivery by elective Caesarean section 10. Inability to comply with the trial protocol and follow-up schedule 11. Inability to understand the information and to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria Historical Control Group: 1. Existence of other disorder that might interfere with the trial. No lung hypoplasia (type II OI). 2. Abnormal karyotype Exclusion Criteria Prospective Untreated Control Group: * Postnatal inclusion: The exclusion criteria, except exclusion criterium 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Contraindication for invasive procedure, Known risk factor for clotting, Positive Donor Specific Antibody-test and Known allergy/hypersensitivity to Fungizone and/or Gensumycin) for the postnatal group apply. * Prenatal inclusion: The exclusion criteria, except exclusion criterium 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (Multiple pregnancy, Contraindication for invasive procedure, Known risk factor for clotting, Positive Donor Specific Antibody-test and Known allergy/hypersensitivity to Fungizone and/or Gensumycin) for the prenatal group apply.
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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
-
Karolinska University Hospital
Stockholm, Stockholm County, 171 76, Sweden
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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