Using cell factors to help heal the cornea

Phase I Study of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome for Promoting Corneal Regeneration

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11145412

This study is looking at how special substances from bone marrow cells can help heal the eye's surface, and it's for people with corneal issues who want to improve their healing and vision safely.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11145412 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of secreted factors from mesenchymal stromal cells derived from bone marrow to promote healing in the cornea. It aims to assess the safety of these factors on the ocular surface and observe their effects on epithelial healing, scarring, and visual acuity. The study will include a Phase 1 safety assessment and a Phase 2a controlled trial to gather preliminary evidence of effectiveness and identify which patients may benefit the most from this treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from significant non-healing corneal epithelial disease.

Not a fit: Patients with fully healed corneal epithelium or those with conditions unrelated to corneal healing may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healing and visual outcomes for patients with severe corneal epithelial diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using cell-derived factors for tissue regeneration, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.