Experimental stem cell injection targets autism Self-Harm
NCT ID NCT07433517
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase trial will test a new treatment called VGN-Ex05e, made from human embryonic stem cells, for children and teens with autism who have severe, treatment-resistant self-injury or aggression. The treatment is injected directly into a brain area linked to behavior. Only 6 participants will be enrolled, and the main goal is to check safety and tolerability, not effectiveness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- VGN-Ex05e (nerve cells from human embryonic stem cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to reduce severe self-injury and aggression in some people with autism.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, tiny trial (6 people) focused on safety, not proof of benefit. The brain injection carries risks, and results may not apply to most people with autism.
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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 6 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
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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7 to 18 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. Male or Female, age \>7, ≤18 2. DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, confirmed by ADOS-2 3. Diagnosis ≥ 2 years, with at least 6 months of unsuccessful systematic behavioral interventions or training, or those unable to undergo training; 4. Target symptoms and severity: Presence of recurrent self-injurious or aggressive behaviors within the last 3 months, with at least one of the following documented (meeting at least one criterion): Any self-injury item on the RBS-R scoring ≥ 3; Self-injury/aggression subscale of the BPI reaching one of the following criteria: frequency score ≥ 3, or severity score ≥ 3; 5. Previous use of multiple medications (one or more antipsychotics and one or more mood stabilizers) with inadequate response, or those with severe adverse reactions, or those who cannot tolerate,and have discontinued medication for more than 5 half-lives or 1 month (whichever is longer) prior to screening, with the expectation that these medications will not be re-administered during the study period; 6. Subjects/parents/guardians are able to understand the trial information, objectives, and risks as described in the informed consent form, are willing to comply with the clinical trial protocol, and can authorize the use of the subject's health information, voluntarily providing the signed and dated informed consent form; 7. Subjects/parents/guardians are willing to act as information providers for the study, providing information on the subject's health status, cognitive, and physical abilities (including providing information for scales). 8. Male and female subjects of childbearing potential must continuously and correctly use at least one highly effective method of contraception from the screening period through at least 1 year after administration. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Refractory epilepsy within the last 12 months prior to screening (≥2 seizures per month or status epilepticus), or significant EEG discharges during the screening period with a high-risk assessment; 2. Co-occurring schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depressive disorder; 3. Severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or hematologic diseases; 4. Coagulation disorders or bleeding tendencies (affecting surgical drug administration); 5. Active infection at the time of screening, requiring systemic treatment; 6. Co-occurring malignant tumors or history of tumors within the past 5 years; 7. Positive HIV antibody, active hepatitis C infection, active hepatitis B infection, syphilis positive, or active tuberculosis at the time of screening; 8. clinically significant abnormal ECG; 9. Any of the following laboratory test indicators meet the following criteria (those who meet the criteria and have a clear reason for retesting can recheck and confirm within one week): 1) Hemoglobin count is below the detection limit, or thrombocytopenia (\< 100 × 10\^9/L); 2) Alanine aminotransferase ≥ 3 × ULN and/or Aspartate aminotransferase ≥ 3 × ULN and/or Total bilirubin ≥ 2 × ULN; 3) Those with renal function impairment, defined as eGFR \< 60 ml/min/1.73 m2; 4) Myocardial enzyme spectrum (Creatine kinase CK and Creatine kinase isoenzyme CK-MB) \> 3 × ULN; 5) Any laboratory abnormal value with significant clinical significance that other researchers consider may interfere with the efficacy and safety data analysis of this study. 10. previous history of stem cell therapy or gene therapy; 11. pregnant or lactating. 12. Any history of intracranial infection or traumatic brain injury within 6 months prior to screening. 13. MRI evidence of space-occupying lesions, arteriovenous malformations, active intracranial hemorrhage or infarction, diffuse cerebral atrophy, or severe developmental malformations. 14. Prior intracranial surgical scarring that interferes with the planned trajectory to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). 15. Participation in another clinical trial within 3 months prior to screening. 16. History of severe hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to anesthetic agents or any components of the cell product. 17. Presence of cranial metallic materials or implanted devices that contraindicate MRI, cause significant imaging artifacts affecting surgical navigation, or other conditions that preclude MRI examination. 18. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for participation in the clinical trial.
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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 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.
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