Stem cells tested for tough Crohn's fistulas – but trial stopped early
NCT ID NCT04519684
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether stem cells from donated bone marrow could heal fistulas (abnormal tunnels) in people with Crohn's disease who had a pouch after colon removal. The trial planned to enroll 24 adults but was terminated early, so we don't have clear results on safety or healing. The approach aimed to offer a less invasive option than repeat surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- allogeneic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells
- What this could lead to
- If it worked, this could offer a new way to heal fistulas in Crohn's disease of the pouch, possibly avoiding more surgery or a permanent ostomy.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early, so we don't have enough data to know if it's safe or effective. It was also a small, early-phase study, so results may not apply widely.
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
-
24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Oct 2020
- Finished
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Nov 2023
- 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
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
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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 1. Men and women 18-75 years of age who have undergone an ileal pouch anal anastomosis at least 6 months prior who have developed a clinical diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the pouch as determined by a combination of clinical symptoms, pouchoscopy with biopsy, enterography. 2. Single and multi-tract (up to 2 internal and 3 external openings) fistula tract arising from the ileal pouch, ileal anal anastomosis, or anal canal distal to anastomosis that travels to the perianal skin, perineal body, or vagina. Patients with fistulas that arise from the pouch, anastomosis, or anal canal distal to the anastomosis will both be included in enrollment. 1. Acceptable internal openings and tract locations for the fistula to arise from include the ileal pouch body, the pouch anal anastomosis, and the anal canal distal to the anastomosis. 2. Acceptable external openings and tract locations for the fistula to arise from include the perianal skin, perineal body, and/or the vaginal wall. 3. Concurrent Crohn's related therapies with stable doses (\>2 months) corticosteroids, 5-ASA drugs, immunomodulators, anti-TNF therapy, anti-integrin and anti-interleukin are permitted. 4. Have failed conventional medical therapies described above, defined as a lack of response to systemic immune suppression (e.g. azathioprine, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine) or biologic (e.g. anti-TNF, anti-integrin, anti-interleukin) therapies to treat fistulizing CD for at least 2 months 5. Have no contraindications to MR evaluations: e.g. pacemaker or magnetically active metal fragments, claustrophobia 6. Competent and able to provide written informed consent 7. Ability to comply with protocol. Exclusion Criteria 1. Inability to give informed consent. 2. Severe antibiotic refractory pouchitis 3. Severe cuffitis refractory to antibiotics 4. Change in medical management for CD in the previous 2 months or changes anticipated in the next 2 months 5. Clinically significant medical conditions within the six months before administration of MSCs: e.g. myocardial infarction, active angina, congestive heart failure or other conditions that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the safety of the subject. 6. Specific exclusions; 1. HIV 2. Hepatitis B or C 3. Abnormal CBC at screening i. Platelets \<50 kg/uL or greater than 1.5 million kg/uL ii. WBC \<50 x kg/uL iii. Hbg \<7.0 g/dL d. Abnormal AST or ALT at screening(defined as \>/= 2x ULN) 7. History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized skin cancers) within one year of screening 8. History of colorectal cancer within 5 years 9. Investigational drug within thirty (30) days of baseline 10. Pregnant or breast feeding or trying to become pregnant 11. Branching fistula tract that has \> 2 internal openings or 3 external openings, 1. Subjects with greater than 3 blind/branching tracts are excluded 2. Fistula tracts on the left and/or right side are allowed 12. Allergic to local anesthetics 13. Unwilling to agree to use acceptable contraception methods during participation in study 14. Subjects with a non-abscessed chronic cavity will not be included in enrollment
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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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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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