Stem Cell Coated Fistula Plug in Patients With Crohn's RVF

The Investigators propose to study the safety of autologous mesenchymal stromal cell transfer using a biomatrix (the Gore Bio-A174; Fistula Plug) in a Phase I study using a single dose of 20 million cells. Fifteen adult patients with refractory, rectovaginal fistulizing Crohn's disease will be enrolled. Participants will undergo standard adjuvant therapy including drainage of infection and placement of a draining seton with continuation of pre-existing anti-Crohn's therapy. If the participant is not currently diverted, then participants will undergo a laparoscopic diversion with a loop ileostomy. Six weeks post placement of the draining seton, the seton will be replaced with the MSC loaded Gore Bio-A fistula plug as per current clinical practice. The participants will be subsequently followed for fistula response and closure for 24 months. This is an autologous product derived from the patient and used only for the same patient.

Participants will be screened at outpatient clinic visits and interested qualified participants will be offered participation in the trial and consented. At the first study visit (Visit 1; Screening visit), the patient will be evaluated and assessed. Six weeks post placement of the draining seton, the seton will be replaced with the MSC loaded Gore Bio-A fistula plug. Participants will return on: Day 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, Week 12, Week 24, Week 52, and Week 104.

Inclusion criteria

• Females 18-65 years of age.
• Residents of the United States.
• Crohn's disease with single or multiple draining complex rectovaginal fistulae for at least three months despite standard therapy
• Concurrent therapies with corticosteroids, 5-ASA drugs, thiopurines, MTX, antibiotics, and anti-TNF therapy are permitted.
• All patients should have undergone a colonoscopy in last 12 months to rule out malignant or premalignant condition
• Have no contraindications to MR evaluations: e.g. pacemaker or magnetically active metal fragments, claustrophobia
• Ability to comply with protocol
• Competent and able to provide written informed consent
• Must have failed standard medical therapy including anti-TNF agents
• Currently with diverting ileostomy or accepting of diverting ileostomy at time of stem cell loaded plug placement.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to give informed consent.
• Clinically significant medical conditions within the six months before administration of MSCs: e.g. myocardial infarction, active angina, congestive heart failure or other conditions that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the safety of the patient.
• Specific exclusions; Evidence of hepatitis B, C, or HIV
• History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized skin cancers)
• Investigational drug within thirty (30) days of baseline
• A resident outside the United States
• Pregnant or breast feeding.
• History of clinically significant auto-immunity (other than Crohn's disease) or any previous example of fat-directed autoimmunity
• Previous allergic reaction to a perianal fistula plug.
• Allergic to local anesthetics
• Pregnant patients or trying to become pregnant.
• entero-vesicular or multiple concurrent perianal tracts