Stem cell therapy for COVID-19 shows promise but trial stops short
NCT ID NCT04869397
First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Updated 31 times
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether a single dose of umbilical cord stem cells (ProTrans®) could help hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 avoid breathing machines or death. The study planned to enroll 60 participants but was terminated early with only 19. Both the stem cell group and the placebo group received standard COVID-19 care. The early stop means we cannot draw firm conclusions about the treatment's effectiveness.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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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.
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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
umbilical cord stem cells (ProTrans®)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a treatment to reduce the need for breathing machines and death in severe COVID-19.
What could go wrong
This trial was terminated early with only 19 participants, so results are very limited. It is unclear if the stem cells provide any benefit over standard care.
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.