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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01733186

Evaluation of Safety and Exploratory Efficacy of CARTISTEM®, a Cell Therapy Product for Articular Cartilage Defects

The purpose of this study is to determine whether CARTISTEM, a cell therapeutic product, is safe and effective in the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee as a result of ageing, trauma, or degenerative diseases.

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Key information

Conditions

Degeneration Articular Cartilage Knee Arthritis Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1 / Phase 2

Primary location

Cartilage Restoration Center; RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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About this study

Conventional treatment modalities have not been able to provide complete and sustained resolution of symptoms following damage to the articular cartilage. Despite the numerous techniques available today, complete healing of damaged or defective cartilage or consistent reproduction of normal hyaline cartilage does not occur, and continuous drug administration or secondary surgeries are common.

Research in mesenchymal stem cells has had a rapid acceleration over the past decade and MSC-based therapy has become one of the objects of investigation for a new branch of medicine termed regenerative medicine. This emerging technology shows great promise for producing transplantable cartilage constructs to restore the function of degenerated joints.

CARTISTEM®, a combination of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and sodium hyaluronate, is intended to be used as a single-dose cellular therapeutic agent for cartilage regeneration in human subjects with cartilage defects of the knee as a result of ageing, trauma, or degenerative diseases.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with an intended- to- treat single focal, full-thickness cartilage defect (ICRS [International Cartilage Repair Society] Grade 3 or 4) of the knee as a result of ageing, trauma, or degenerative diseases.
  • Age ≥ 18 years old
  • Size of the articular cartilage lesion is ≥ 2 cm2
  • Swelling, tenderness and active range of motion ≤ Grade II
  • Joint pain : 20-mm - 60-mm on VAS (Visual Analog Scale) at the time of Screening
  • Appropriate blood coagulation, kidney and liver function laboratory parameters: PT(INR) < 1.5, APTT <1.5×control Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL Albumin ≤ trace in urine dipstick test Bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL, AST/ALT ≤ 100 IU/L
  • Ligament instability ≤ Grade II
  • Lower extremity alignment within 5 degrees of the neutral weight bearing axis
  • No meniscal surgery within the past 3 months and more than 5mm of meniscal rim remaining
  • Ability and willingness to fully participate in the post-operative rehabilitation program
  • Subject is informed of the investigational nature of this study, voluntarily agrees to participate in the study, and signs an IRBapproved informed consent prior to performing any of the screening procedures
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 35 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients who have been treated previously and are asymptomatic
  • Avascular necrosis/ osteonecrosis
  • Autoimmune or inflammatory joint disease
  • History of infection within the past 6 weeks
  • Surgery or radiation therapy within the past 6 weeks
  • Serious medical co-morbidities, which would otherwise contraindicate surgery, as determined by the investigator
  • Currently pregnant or nursing
  • Psychotic diseases, epilepsy, or any history of such diseases
  • Current abuse of alcohol (> 10 drinks weekly) and/or regular exposure to other substances of abuse, currently an active smoker
  • Chronic inflammatory articular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • Enrolled in any other clinical trials within the past 4 weeks
  • Administered immunosuppressants such as Cyclosporin A or azathioprine within the past 6 weeks
  • Ligament instability > Grade II
  • Uncorrected significant lower extremity malalignment (i.e. > 5 degrees)
  • (sub-) Total meniscectomy (<5mm rim remaining)
  • Corticosteroid or viscosupplementation injection to the affected knee in the past 3 months
  • Principal investigator considers inappropriate for the clinical trial due to any reasons other than those listed above

Treatment and study plan

CARTISTEM®

Biological

Other names: human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Primary outcomes

  1. IKDC Score

    Time frame: 12 months

    Subjects underwent a self-assessment of knee function using the IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee Assessment)subjective knee evaluation before and after the administration of the IP. The assessment is designed to detect improvement or deterioration in symptoms, function, and sports activities due to knee impairment. The possible score ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 = no limitation with daily or sporting activities and the absence of symptoms.

    The IKDC assessment was performed before IP administration and at Months 12 after IP administration in an exploratory fashion. The IKDC score from the Month 12 visit was used as a primary indicator of the post operative change.

    The outcome was presented with the post-operative change amount from the baseline.

Secondary outcomes

  1. VAS

    Time frame: 24 months

    Subjects underwent a self-assessment of joint pain using the 100-mm VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) before and at Months 12 and 24 after IP (investigational product) administration. Higher values represent worse joint pain. Use of NSAIDs and any other analgesics had to be discontinued for 48 hours and 24 hours, respectively, prior to the 100 mm VAS evaluation. The outcome was presented with the post-operative change amount at Months 12 and 24 from the baseline.

    100-mm VAS scores range from 0 to 100. Higher values represent worse joint pain.

  2. Lysholm Score

    Time frame: 24 months

    The Lysholm knee scoring scale is a self-assessment that rates the severity of common complaints related to knee problems, such as pain, swelling, abnormal sensations, and ability to squat or climb stairs. The possible score ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 = no symptoms or disability. Scores are categorized as excellent (95 to 100), good (84 to 94), fair (65 to 83), and poor (≤64). Subjects underwent a self-assessment of knee function using the Lysholm score before IP administration and at Months 12 and 24 after IP administration. The outcome was presented with the post-operative change amount at Months 12 and 24 from the baseline.

  3. KOOS Score

    Time frame: 24 months

    The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS) knee survey is a self assessment of knee function and knee-related quality of life (QOL). Subjects responded to each question regarding knee-related symptoms, swelling, pain, impaired function, or changes in QOL with 1 of 5 possible answers that range from "never/not at all" to "always/extremely." The possible score for each parameter ranges from 0 to 100, where 0=extreme problems and 100=no problems. Subjects completed the KOOS knee survey before IP (investigational product) administration and at Month 24 after IP administration. The outcome was presented with the post-operative change amount at Month 24 from the baseline.

  4. IKDC Score

    Time frame: 24 months

    Subjects underwent a self-assessment of knee function using the IKDC subjective knee evaluation before and after the administration of the IP. The assessment is designed to detect improvement or deterioration in symptoms, function, and sports activities due to knee impairment. The possible score ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 = no limitation with daily or sporting activities and the absence of symptoms. The IKDC assessment was performed before IP administration and at Month 24 after IP administration in an exploratory fashion. The outcome was presented with the post-operative change amount at Month 24 from the baseline.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipost, Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Safety and Exploratory Efficacy of CARTISTEM®, a Cell Therapy Product for Articular Cartilage Defects: A Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial in Patients With Focal, Full-thickness Grade 3-4 Articular Cartilage Defects of the Knee

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Nov 26, 2012
Registry last updated
Jan 29, 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.

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