Can bone marrow stem cells calm lupus kidney flares?
NCT ID NCT03673748
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a single intravenous dose of mesenchymal stem cells, derived from bone marrow, can safely help adults with active lupus nephritis achieve a complete or partial kidney response. Participants receive either the stem cells or a placebo (saline) in a double-blind design. The study measures how many people reach improved kidney function and reduced protein in the urine, and whether steroid doses can be lowered.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from bone marrow, given by intravenous injection
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new way to control lupus nephritis and reduce the need for high-dose steroids.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase, small trial, so results may not apply broadly. Risks include infusion reactions and unknown long-term effects.
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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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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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18 years and older
- 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. Females or males ≥18 years old who provide written informed consent at the selection visit. 2. Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by meeting at least 4 of the 11 criteria included in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification and/or the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria, at the selection visit. 3. Diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN) using the 2003 classification of the International Society of Nephrology and the Society of Renal Pathology, by biopsy performed no more than 6 months before the selection visit if they enter from the induction period, and no more than one year if they enter with a moderate/severe recurrence. 4. No response or partial response to standard treatment, or moderate/severe recurrence of lupus nephritis. 5. SLEDAI-2K ≥ 10 during the selection period. 6. Women of childbearing potential should use effective methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy. 7. Have been vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza at the time the vaccination campaign is carried out. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: A - Related to previous treatments: 1. Use of corticosteroids or mycophenolate above the doses allowed for induction, according to the Consensus Document of the Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Nephrology. 2. Use of rituximab, belimumab, ocrelizumab or other biologic therapies against B cells in the 6 months prior to selection. 3. Use of cyclophosphamide in the 6 months prior to selection. 4. Use of any tumor necrosis factor inhibitor treatment in the 6 months prior to selection. 5. Use of immunoglobulins in the 6 months prior to selection. 6. Change in doses of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor inhibitor in the two months prior to selection. 7. Treatment with another investigational medicinal product within three months prior to selection or 5 times the half-life of the agent. B - Related to medical problems: 8. Any pathology, including an uncontrolled disease other than SLE, which, in the opinion of the investigator, the sponsor or the person they designate, constitutes an inappropriate risk or a contraindication for participation in the trial or that could interfere with the objectives of the trial, its performance or evaluation. 9. Cardiac, peripheral, or cerebrovascular cardiovascular events in the 6 months prior to the selection visit. 10. Active cardiac arrhythmia or clinically significant electrocardiogram abnormalities at selection visit or on the day of randomization that, in the opinion of the investigator, sponsor, or designee, constitute an inappropriate risk or contraindication to participation in the study. 11. Thromboembolic events in the 12 months prior to or during selection, whether or not associated with associated antiphospholipid syndrome, or inadequate anticoagulation tests 6 weeks immediately prior to or during selection visit. 12. Active central nervous system SLE that is considered severe or progressive (recent uncontrolled seizures, changes in anticonvulsant treatment within 3 months prior to selection visit, or resulting in significant cognitive impairment). 13. History or current diagnosis of a demyelinating disease such as multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis. 14. Comorbidities that require treatment with systemic corticosteroids (oral, rectal or injectable) such as asthma or inflammatory bowel disease. 15. Antecedents or plans for an organ transplant. 16. Clinically significant active viral, bacterial or fungal infection, or having suffered a major episode of infection that required hospitalization or parenteral treatment in the 4 weeks prior to the selection visit, during the selection visit, or having finished anti-infective treatment within 2 weeks prior to or during selection, or a history of recurrent infections (three or more cases of the same type of infection in a consecutive 12-month period). Controlled vaginal candidiasis, onychomycosis, and genital or oral herpes simplex virus would not be reasons for exclusion. 17. History of or positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test result, hepatitis C antibodies and/or detection by polymerase chain reaction, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg+), and/or IgM or total antibodies against hepatitis B nuclear antigen at selection. 18. Diagnosis of active or latent tuberculosis (TB) using a purified protein derivative TB skin test (induration ≥ 5 mm) or a positive Quantiferon test result, at selection or within 3 months prior to the selection visit. Patients who have completed previous adequate treatment or who are receiving treatment will not repeat the test. Patients who are receiving adequate TB treatment for at least 4 continuous weeks prior to the selection visit and who are expected to complete the treatment regimen will not be excluded. 19. Presence of class 3 or 4 uncontrolled congestive heart failure according to the New York Heart Association. 20. Active cancer. 21. Major surgical intervention within 6 weeks prior to selection visit or planned during the trial period, including follow-up. 22. Pregnant or lactating women. C - Laboratory abnormalities: 23. Clinically significant laboratory test abnormalities not attributed to active SLE. 24. Chest X-ray with significant changes indicating active TB. The chest X-ray must have been performed within 3 months prior to the selection visit or during the selection period. D - Others: 25. Legal incapacity.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Hospital Río Hortega
RECRUITINGValladolid, Valladolid, 47012, Spain
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a targeted antibody boost kidney remission in lupus?
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