Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not yet recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07838454

Exosome and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Salivary Gland Dysfunction in Primary Sjögren Syndrome

This study will evaluate the effects of exosome and mesenchymal stem cell injections into the submandibular glands of adults with primary Sjögren syndrome and salivary gland dysfunction or dry mouth. A total of 30 participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: an exosome group, a mesenchymal stem cell group, or a placebo group. Both submandibular glands will receive two applications, with the second application performed 2 weeks after the first. Each gland will receive 0.5 mL of the assigned treatment at two injection sites. Exosomes will be derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells will also be derived from umbilical cord tissue. The placebo group will receive saline. Previous sialoscintigraphy results obtained at Yeditepe University as part of the diagnosis of primary Sjögren syndrome will be used as the baseline assessment. The Xerostomia Inventory will be administered at months 1 and 3, and sialoscintigraphy will be repeated at month 6 to evaluate changes in salivary gland function. Each participant will be followed for 6 months.

Not yet recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Sjogren Syndrome Arthritis Arthritis, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Dry Eye Syndromes Exosome Eye Diseases Immune System Diseases Joint Diseases Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases Mouth Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Rheumatic Diseases Salivary Gland Diseases Sjogren's Syndrome Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Xerostomia

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Yeditepe University Hospital

Istanbul, Kadikoy, 34718, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location contact

Banu Erkal, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905319867061

Banu Erkal, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Yavuz Selim Pata, Professor

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

CONTACT

[email protected]

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 years or older
  • Diagnosis of primary Sjögren syndrome
  • Salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia
  • Previous sialoscintigraphy performed at Yeditepe University as part of the diagnosis of primary Sjögren syndrome
  • Willingness to provide written informed consent
  • Acceptance of the planned bilateral submandibular gland applications and follow-up

Exclusion criteria

  • Age younger than 18 years
  • No previous sialoscintigraphy or inability to undergo sialoscintigraphy
  • Presence of another disease, in addition to primary Sjögren syndrome, that may cause dry mouth
  • Use of medications that may cause dry mouth
  • Refusal to provide informed consent
  • Refusal to undergo the planned bilateral submandibular gland applications or follow-up

Treatment and study plan

exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

Biological

Exosomes derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The preparation is a cell-free extracellular vesicle product containing 5 billion particles per 1 mL. Each participant will receive 0.5 mL in each submandibular gland at two injection sites. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)

Biological

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), produced by Yeditepe University, at a concentration of 10 million MSCs per 1 mL. Each bilateral submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.

Placebo

Other

Serum physiologic (saline). Each bilateral submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Salivary Flow Rate From Baseline to Month 6 Assessed by Sialoscintigraphy

    Time frame: Baseline to Month 6

    Change in salivary flow rate, measured by salivary gland scintigraphy. Salivary flow rate will be expressed in mL/min. Baseline values obtained from the participants' existing sialoscintigraphy performed at Yeditepe University will be compared with the values obtained at Month 6.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Xerostomia Inventory Score

    Time frame: 3 months

    Change in xerostomia severity assessed using the 11-item Xerostomia Inventory XI. Total scores range from 11 to 55, with higher scores indicating greater severity of xerostomia. The questionnaire will be administered at Month 1 and Month 3.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Banu Erkal, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905319867061

Yavuz Selim Pata, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905337602070

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Banu Erkal

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Exosome and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections Into the Submandibular Glands on Salivary Gland Function in Primary Sjögren Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.