Using stem cells to treat type 1 diabetes in young patients

A Double-blinded, Randomized, Parallel, Placebo-controlled Trial of Wharton's Jelly-derived Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Treat Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents

This study is testing a new stem cell treatment to see if it can help children and teens who have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE1; PHASE2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years to 21 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Uppsala University Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Uppsala)
• Trial ID: NCT05061030 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of allogeneic Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stromal cells, known as Protrans, to treat children and adolescents recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It consists of a phase 1 component involving a small group of subjects receiving the treatment, followed by a phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of the treatment against a placebo. The study aims to assess the safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of this innovative therapy in managing type 1 diabetes in young patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents aged 7-21 who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the last six months.

Not a fit: Patients who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for more than six months or those with severe comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for managing type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of mesenchymal stromal cells in diabetes treatment is an emerging field, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent for participation of the study (for subjects below 18 years of age also from both caregivers), given before undergoing any study-specific procedures
2. Clinical history compatible with type 1 diabetes diagnosed less than 6 months before enrolment
3. In the first part of the study, six subjects, three between 7-11 and three between 12-18 years of age (both groups inclusive at both ends), will be included. The sixty subjects in the second part of the study are stratified by age (12-21 and 7-11 years, respectively) and randomized to one of two treatment arms (active or placebo), with a 6-month safety delay for the younger stratum.
4. Mentally stable and, in the opinion of the investigator, able to comply with the procedures of the study protocol.
5. Fasting plasma C-peptide concentration \>0.12 nmol/L.
6. Subjects of child-bearing potential must agree to using adequate contraception until one year after the administration of WJMSC/Placebo. Adequate contraception is as follows:

   1. oral (except low-dose gestagen (lynestrenol and noretisteron), injectable or implanted hormonal contraceptives.
   2. intrauterine device
   3. intrauterine system (for example progestin-releasing coil)
   4. vasectomized male (with appropriate postvasectomy documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects with body weight \>100 kg
2. Subjects with unstable cardiovascular status incl. NYHA class III/IV or symptoms of angina pectoris.
3. Subjects with uncontrolled hypertension (≥160/105 mmHg).
4. Subjects with active on-going infections.
5. Subjects with latent or previous as well as on-going therapy against tuberculosis, or exposed to tuberculosis or has traveled in areas with a high risk of tuberculosis or mycosis within the last 3 months.
6. Subjects with serological evidence of infection with HIV, Treponema pallidum, hepatitis B antigen (subjects with serology consistent with previous vaccination and a history of vaccination are acceptable), or hepatitis C.
7. Subjects with any systemic immune suppressive treatment
8. Subjects with a known demyelinating disease or with symptoms or physical examination findings consistent with possible demyelinating disease.
9. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test.
10. Subjects with known, or previous, malignancy.
11. Taking oral anti-diabetic therapies or any other concomitant medication which may interfere with glucose regulation other than insulin.
12. Subjects with GFR \<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 body surface.
13. Subject with any condition or any circumstance that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make it unsafe to undergo treatment with MSC.
14. Known hypersensitivity against any excipients, i.e., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

Where this trial is running

Uppsala

• Uppsala University Hospital — Uppsala, Sweden (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Per-Ola Carlsson, MD, PhD — Uppsala University Hospital
• Study coordinator: Per-Ola Carlsson, MD, PhD

Conditions: Type1diabetes