Cord blood cells could tame lupus in first human test
NCT ID NCT06737380
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial is testing whether a single injection of stem cells from donated umbilical cords is safe for people with active lupus. Ten adults will receive the cells alongside their usual care. Researchers will monitor side effects and check for signs that lupus activity and kidney function improve.
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 (UC-MSCs)
- What this could lead to
- If this early trial shows the cells are safe and reduce lupus activity, it could point toward a new treatment option for people with lupus.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase safety study with only 10 participants. It is not designed to prove the treatment works, and side effects or lack of benefit are possible.
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 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2026
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 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. Age 18-75 years at the time of screening 2. Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), meeting at least 4 of the 11 criteria included in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Classification Criteria and/or 4 of the 17 criteria (with at least one of those being clinical and at least one being immunologic) included in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Criteria, at the screening visit. 3. Must have a positive ANA (≥1:160 titer) or positive anti-dsDNA antibody test within 6 months of the screening visit 4. An eGFR of ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the screening period 5. Prior SLE background therapy with at least one non-biologic medication (e.g. immunosuppressant and/or antimalarial), not including corticosteroids, is required for ≥ 12 weeks before the screening visit. 6. SLEDAI-2K ≥6 at the time of screening 7. Participant able and willing to provide written informed consent 8. Must be able and willing to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements. Exclusion Criteria 1. History of any non-systemic lupus erythematosus (non-SLE) disease that required treatment with oral or parenteral corticosteroids for more than a total of 2 weeks within the 12 weeks preceding the screening visit. 2. History of dialysis within 12 months prior to the screening visit or expected need for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplant) within a six-month period after enrollment. 3. Use of prednisone \>0.5 mg/kg/day (or equivalent corticosteroid) in the 4 weeks prior to the screening visit. 4. Any change or addition to a non-biologic immunosuppressant and/ or antimalarial regimen (not including corticosteroids) ≤ 12 weeks prior to the Screening visit. 5. Treatment with an interventional agent within the washout time of 90 days or 5 half-lives prior to Baseline (Day 0), whichever is longer. 6. Receipt of any commercially available biologic agent within the washout period described above prior to Baseline (Day 0). 7. Receipt of prior MSC therapy within the washout time of 52 weeks prior to Baseline (Day 0). 8. Previous treatment with any type of cellular therapy e.g., Tregs or CAR-T cells, with the exception of previous MSCs. 9. Major surgery within 90 days prior to Baseline (Day 0) or major surgery planned during the study period 10. Confirmed positive test for active hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or tuberculosis (TB). 11. Any active infection that has not been adequately treated or completely resolved prior to Baseline (Day 0). 12. History of cancer, apart from adequately treated squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or cervical carcinoma in situ 13. Pregnant or breast-feeding women and women with intention to become pregnant/to breast-feed during the duration of the trial. 14. Women and men who do not agree to use a medically acceptable form of contraception for the duration of the trial. 15. Any other comorbidity which may render the participant unfit for study participation according to the investigator's judgement. 16. Any other medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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Medical University of South Carolina
RECRUITINGCharleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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