Using stem cells to treat severe lupus

A Phase II Controlled Trial of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Refractory Lupus (MiSLE)

['FUNDING_U01'] · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · NIH-11159694

This study is looking at whether a special type of cell treatment can help people with stubborn lupus feel better and stay safe, and it’s designed so that neither you nor the researchers will know who gets the real treatment or a placebo to keep things fair.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorMEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHARLESTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11159694 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a treatment for patients with refractory lupus, a challenging autoimmune condition. The trial is a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, meaning that neither the patients nor the researchers know who receives the treatment or the placebo, which helps ensure unbiased results. The study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of MSCs based on previous promising results from earlier trials. Patients will be monitored for their response to treatment and any potential side effects throughout the trial period.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with refractory lupus who have not responded adequately to standard treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with mild lupus or those who have not yet tried standard therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from refractory lupus.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials using MSCs for autoimmune diseases have shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

CHARLESTON, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases, autoimmune disorder, autoimmunity disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.