Cord stem cells tested for autism social skills
NCT ID NCT04089579
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a single infusion of stem cells from donated umbilical cord tissue could improve social communication in children with autism. 137 children aged 4 to 12 took part. The main goal was to see if their socialization and communication scores improved after six months.
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-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment that improves social and communication skills in children with autism.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial, so results are still early. The treatment may not work better than placebo, and there could be side effects from the infusion.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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137 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2020
- Finished
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Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
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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
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4 to 11 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. Age ≥ 4 years to \< 12 years (11 years, 364 days) at the time of consent 2. Confirmed clinical DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder using the DSM-5 Checklist as informed by the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) 3. Fragile X testing performed and negative; CMA and/or whole exome sequencing performed and results not linked to autism diagnosis 4. Stable on current psychiatric medication regimen (dose and dosing schedule) for at least 2 months prior to infusion of study product 5. Normal absolute lymphocyte count (≥1200/uL for African American participants and ≥1500/uL for all other participants) 6. GAI ≥ 65 via cognitive testing by study personnel 7. Participant and parent/guardian are English speaking 8. Able to travel to Duke University two times (baseline, six months), and parent/guardian is able to participate in interim surveys and interviews 9. Parental/guardian consent from at least one parent/guardian Exclusion Criteria 1. General: 1. Review of medical records and/or screening assessments indicates ASD diagnosis and/or GAI \> 65 not confident 2. Known diagnosis of any of the following coexisting psychiatric conditions: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder associated with bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome 3. Screening data suggests that participant would not be able to comply with the requirements of the study procedures as assessed by the study team 4. Family is unwilling or unable to commit to participation in all study-related assessments, including protocol follow up 5. Sibling is enrolled in this (Duke IMPACT) study 2. Genetic: 1. Records indicate that child has a known genetic syndrome such as (but not limited to) Fragile X syndrome, neurofibromatosis, Rett syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, PTEN mutation, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or a genetic defect definitively known to be associated with ASD 2. Known pathogenic mutation or copy number variation (CNV) associated with ASD (e.g., 16p11.2, 15q13.2, 2q13.3) 3. Infectious: 1. Known active CNS infection 2. Evidence of uncontrolled infection based on records or clinical assessment 3. Known HIV positivity 4. Exposure to COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days or positive COVID-19 test in the previous 28 days. Subjects with a past history of infection with COVID-19 must be symptom-free for 14 days prior to the initial visit. 4. Medical: 1. Known metabolic disorder 2. Known mitochondrial dysfunction 3. History of unstable epilepsy or uncontrolled seizure disorder, infantile spasms, Lennox Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or other similar chronic seizure disorder 4. Active malignancy or prior malignancy that was treated with chemotherapy 5. History of a primary immunodeficiency disorder 6. History of autoimmune cytopenias (i.e., ITP, AIHA) 7. Coexisting medical condition that would place the child at increased risk for complications of study procedures 8. Concurrent genetic or acquired disease or comorbidity(ies) that could require a future stem cell transplant 9. Significant sensory (e.g., blindness, deafness, uncorrected hearing impairment) or motor (e.g., cerebral palsy) impairment 10. Impaired renal or liver function as determined by serum creatinine \>1.5mg/dL or total bilirubin \>1.3mg/dL, except in patients with known Gilbert's disease 11. Significant hematologic abnormalities defined as: Hemoglobin \<10.0 g/dL, Platelets \<150 x 10e9/uL, WBC \<3,000 cells/mL, ALC \<1200/uL for African Americans or \<1500/uL for all other participants. 12. Evidence of clinically relevant physical dysmorphology indicative of a genetic syndrome as assessed by the PIs or other investigators, including a medical geneticist and psychiatrists trained in identifying dysmorphic features associated with neurodevelopmental conditions. 5. Current/Prior Therapy: a. Availability of a banked, qualified autologous cord blood unit or parents deferred use of qualified, autologous cord blood unit b. History of prior cell therapy c. Current or prior use of IVIG or other anti-inflammatory medications with the exception of NSAIDs d. Current or prior immunosuppressive therapy i. No systemic steroid therapy that has lasted \>2 weeks, and no systemic steroids within 3 months prior to enrollment. Topical and inhaled steroids are permitted.
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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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Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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