Can Lab-Grown brain cells replace what Parkinson's destroys?
NCT ID NCT06482268
First seen Aug 17, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial tests whether transplanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells into the brains of people with Parkinson's disease is safe and might help replace the cells lost to the disease. About 7 adults with Parkinson's who have not responded well to standard medications will receive the cell transplant. The study will monitor for side effects and check whether the cells survive and improve symptoms over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors (CT1-DAP001)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could pave the way for a one-time cell replacement therapy that restores lost dopamine neurons, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for daily Parkinson's medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small trial focused on safety. The transplanted cells may not integrate properly, could cause unwanted growth or side effects, and any benefit may be limited or temporary.
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 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 7 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Expected to finish
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May 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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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40 to 75 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. The subject has a diagnosis of PD (clinically established or clinically probable) in accordance with the MDS Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Parkinson's Disease (2015). 2. The subject has an inadequate response to drug treatments. 3. The subject is ≥ 40 years and ≤ 75 years of age at the time of informed consent. 4. The subject has had PD for at least 5 years. 5. The subject has both ON and OFF (as demonstrated by the MDS-UPDRS Part III and a symptom diary). 6. The subject does not have a debilitating dyskinesia score greater than or equal to 3 on the MDS-UPDRS. 7. The subject is in stage 2 or higher on the Hoehn and Yahr scale at OFF time. 8. The subject is in stage 3 or lower on the Hoehn and Yahr scale at ON time. 9. The subject has an L-dopa response of 30% or more without influence of antiparkinsonian drugs. 10. The subject has the following organ functions as determined by laboratory tests at Screening visit: 1. Neutrophil count ≥ 2,000/μL 2. Platelet count ≥ 5.0 × 104/μL 3. AST, ALT ≤ 3.0 × upper limit of normal 4. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × upper limit of normal 5. eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (As part of Creatinine testing, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m2)will be calculated based on the CKD-EPI 2021 equation) 11. The subject is willing to avoid pregnancy using abstinence, highly effective means of birth control, surgical sterility, or menopause. 12. The subject is willing to comply with the protocol-required assessments. 13. The subject provides written informed consent to participate in the study. If the subject cannot sign due to physical constraints, verbal consent may be provided with signature of a Legally Authorized Representative. Exclusion Criteria: 1. The subject has an abnormal brain MRI suggestive of brain pathology other than Parkinson's disease. 2. Atypical parkinsonism (Parkinsonism-Plus syndrome, secondary parkinsonism, hereditary parkinsonism). 3. The subject has clinical indication or diagnosis of abnormal immune function. 4. The subject has been diagnosed with a major neurocognitive disorder such as dementia, or is high risk for this. 5. The subject has bleeding tendency or abnormal coagulation function as evidenced by platelets \<50 or PT/PTT \> 1.5x normal. 6. The subject is HBs antigen-positive, or HBs antibody- or HBc antibody-positive with evidence of HBV-DNA. 7. The subject is anti-HIV antibody positive. 8. The subject is anti-HTLV-1 antibody-positive. 9. The subject has active infection such as hepatitis C or syphilis (STS/TPHA). 10. The subject has hypersensitivity or contraindication to tacrolimus, concomitant drugs (e.g., levodopa, carbidopa, MRI contrast), and/or their components. 11. Contraindications to general anesthesia as evaluated by subject matter experts. 12. The subject has a serious allergy to a component (e.g., gentamicin, component of bovine origin, or component of porcine origin) used in the preparation of the study product. 13. The subject has any of the following conditions/diseases concurrently: 1. Active malignancy 2. Epilepsy 3. Psychiatric disease (e.g., uncontrolled anxiety or depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) 4. Diabetes mellitus with poorly controlled blood glucose (glycosylated hemoglobin \> 9.0%, or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). 5. Other serious concurrent diseases (e.g., cerebrovascular disorder, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, inadequately controlled hypertension) as determined by the investigator. 14. The subject has a history of any of the following: 1. Prior malignancy \< 5 years prior to Screening. Patients who had prior malignancies within 5 years and in complete remission with expected survival of more than 5 years are not excluded 2. Epilepsy 3. Cerebral hemorrhage or stroke 4. Psychiatric disease (e.g., uncontrolled anxiety or depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) 5. Congenital long QT syndrome 6. Pallidotomy, thalamotomy, or Deep Brain Stimulation 15. The subject is pregnant or lactating or does not agree to avoid pregnancy throughout the study. 16. The subject has undergone transplantation of human iPSC-derived dopaminergic progenitors. 17. The subject, in the opinion of the investigator or sub investigator, is not appropriate to conduct the study safely.
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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 study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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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
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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University of California, San Diego
RECRUITINGLa Jolla, California, 92037, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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