Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Using umbilical mesenchymal stromal cells to treat septic shock

Official title: Umbilical Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as Cellular Immunotherapy for Septic Shock: A Multi-Center, Double Blind, Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Ottawa Hospital Research Institute · NCT05969275 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether giving umbilical stem cells can help people with septic shock recover better than a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment296 (estimated)
SponsorOttawa Hospital Research Institute
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsImmunotherapy
Locations2 sites (Ottawa, Ontario and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 14, 2024
Main results expectedSeptember 30, 2026
Study endsMarch 31, 2027
Registry record updatedDecember 5, 2024
Trial IDNCT05969275 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are admitted to the ICU with septic shock and exhibit cardiovascular organ failure related to infection.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have septic shock or those who do not meet the specific organ failure criteria may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of umbilical mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a cellular immunotherapy for patients suffering from septic shock, a severe condition characterized by organ failure due to infection. The study will randomly assign 296 patients admitted to the ICU with septic shock to receive either 300 million cryopreserved, allogeneic MSCs or a placebo. The primary focus is to evaluate intermediate measures of clinical efficacy, while secondary outcomes will include safety, biomarkers, clinical outcomes, and health economic analysis. Conducted across several Canadian academic centers, this Phase II trial builds on previous Phase I findings that indicated the safety and feasibility of MSC treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients suffering from septic shock.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of MSCs in treating septic shock is a novel approach, previous studies have shown promising results in pre-clinical models, indicating potential for success.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

A participant must meet all the following inclusion criteria at time of randomization to be eligible:

1. At least 18 years of age AND
2. Requirement for admission to the intensive care unit AND
3. Index admission to the intensive care unit AND
4. Cardiovascular organ failure for at least 1 consecutive hour defined by the requirement of at least 5 mcg/min of norepinephrine or 100 mcg/min of phenylephrine or 0.03 U/min vasopressin AND
5. Clinician impression that cardiovascular organ failure is related to infection AND
6. There is at least 1 other acute organ failure according to modified individual Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Scores within 24 hours of meeting Cardiovascular organ failure defined by:

   1. Respiratory failure: invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation with a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) \>/= 5 cm H2O and a partial pressure of oxygen/fractional inspired oxygen concentration (P/F ratio \</= 200), OR high-flow nasal canula oxygen therapy (minimum total flow rate of 30 lpm and 40% FiO2); OR
   2. Hematological failure: platelet count of \</= 100 X 10\^9/L OR
   3. Acute kidney injury: acute renal insufficiency with a creatinine of \>/= 200 umol/L, or the requirement for new renal replacement therapy, or for participants with known chronic renal failure but not on dialysis, a 50% increase in their baseline creatinine concentration OR
   4. Organ hypoperfusion: a lactate \>/= 4 mmol/L

Acute organ failures that meet eligibility criteria must not have been present for greater than 48 hours prior to meeting the eligibility criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they have at least one of the following at time of randomization:

1. Another form of shock (cardiogenic, hypovolemic, obstructive) OR
2. History of known chronic pulmonary hypertension with a WHO functional class of IV OR
3. History of severe chronic pulmonary disease requiring home oxygen OR
4. History of severe chronic cardiac disease including congestive heart failure or valvular dysfunction with a New York Heart Association Functional class IV or severe chronic ischemic heart disease with a Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class score IV OR
5. History of severe chronic liver disease (Child-Pugh Class C or model for end stage liver disease (MELD) Score \>= 15) OR
6. Malignancy in previous 1 year (excluding resolved non-melanoma skin cancer) OR
7. Treating physician impression that death is imminent within the 12 hours after meeting eligibility criteria OR
8. Pregnant or lactating OR
9. Family or patient not committed to aggressive care

Where it's running

  • The Ottawa Hospital (General Campus)
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • The Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus)
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Lauralyn McIntyre, MD — Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  • Study coordinator: Josee Champagne
  • Email: UCCISS@ohri.ca
  • Phone: 613-737-8899

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.