Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07671521

Biological Evaluation of Orthopedic Materials: An In Vitro Study Using Patient-Derived Human Samples

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the primary stabilizer of the knee joint, and ACL injuries are highly prevalent, particularly among physically active and athletic individuals. Although ACL reconstruction is a well-established orthopedic procedure, significant challenges remain regarding biological integration between the graft and bone, which may negatively affect clinical outcomes.

In recent years, advanced biomaterials and regenerative medicine approaches have gained increasing attention as potential strategies to enhance osteointegration and promote more physiological tissue healing. Before clinical application, these materials must undergo rigorous in vitro biological evaluation in accordance with international standards, particularly ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity assessment.

The study will investigate cytotoxicity, cell viability, inflammatory responses, pro-fibrotic effects, and osteogenic potential using relevant human cell models. The regenerative effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a source of growth factors, will also be evaluated.

The biomaterials under investigation include a titanium alloy and polylactic acid (PLA), both widely used in orthopedic applications. The main objective is to demonstrate their biocompatibility, absence of cytotoxic, inflammatory, and pro-fibrotic effects, and their ability to support osteogenic processes and tissue integration. The findings will provide essential evidence for subsequent preclinical in vivo studies and future clinical translation.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Cytotoxicity

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Who can participate

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

Femoral condyle, tibial plateau and synovial membrane samples

Patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Clinic II of the IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (Bologna, Italy), in whom collection of tibial plateau, femoral condyles and/or synovial tissue is planned.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-80 years, male or female Primary tricompartmental osteoarthritis Body Mass Index (BMI) < 35 Kellgren-Lawrence grade III-IV osteoarthritis Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Previous partial knee arthroplasty or cartilage repair/regenerative procedures Rheumatoid arthritis or chronic corticosteroid/immunosuppressive therapy Positive testing for HIV, HBV or HCV infection Concentrated bone marrow (BMC) samples

Patients of both sexes providing written informed consent and presenting with the following characteristics:

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-70 years Medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III for >4 months) Failure of ≥6 months of conservative treatment (NSAIDs/analgesics, hyaluronic acid, corticosteroid or PRP injections) Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Inability to provide informed consent Knee trauma within the previous 6 months Malignancy, rheumatic disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disorders Alcohol or drug abuse BMI > 35 Intra-articular injections within the previous 6 months Knee surgery within the previous 12 months HIV, HBV or HCV positivity Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) samples

Patients of both sexes with degenerative cartilage disease of the knee.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-65 years Clinical signs and symptoms of knee cartilage degeneration Radiographic or MRI evidence of degeneration (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-IV) Hemoglobin > 11 g/dL Platelet count > 150,000/mm³ No clinically relevant ECG abnormalities Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Rheumatoid arthritis or chronic corticosteroid/immunosuppressive therapy Uncontrolled diabetes Hematological disorders or anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy Thyroid metabolic disorders Alcohol, drug or medication abuse NSAID use within 3 days prior to blood draw Cardiovascular disease contraindicating a 150 mL blood draw HIV, HBV or HCV positivity

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Cellular health parameters

    Time frame: 72 hours

    Cellular health parameters were assessed after 72 hours of exposure to the materials and compared with standardized control samples

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pro-inflammatory cytokines

    Time frame: 48 hours

    Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured after 6, 24 and 48 hours of exposure to the materials

  2. ROS

    Time frame: 48 hours

    Markers of oxidative stress were evaluated after 72 hours of exposure to the materials

  3. Osteogenic potential

    Time frame: 28 days

    Osteogenic potential was assessed by evaluating the gene expression of specific osteogenic markers and the production of protein biomarkers (ALP and P1NP) at 7, 14, and 28 days

Study contacts

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

stefano zaffagnini

CONTACT

[email protected]

0516366075

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stefano Zaffagnini

Other

Registry information

Acronym: RAISE

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jun 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 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.