Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06869200

Study on the Use of a Concentrated Growth Factor Preparation Kit for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an autologous platelet-rich concentrated growth factor (CGF) preparation kit for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in patients diagnosed with this condition. The main question it aims to answer is:

Can the CGF preparation kit effectively improve symptoms and reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to a control intervention? Researchers will compare the CGF treatment group to a control group using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to see if the CGF intervention results in greater improvements in knee function and pain relief.

Participants will:

Undergo three intra-articular injections of CGF or PRP into the knee joint at weekly intervals.

Complete assessments including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain at specified intervals.

Be monitored for safety and potential adverse events throughout the study period.

Study design: Prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial.

Sample size: 104 cases, with 52 cases in the experimental group and 52 cases in the control group.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nanfang Hospital,, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Loading trial locations.

About this study

This study predefines the conversion between non-inferiority and superiority tests: first, a non-inferiority test is performed. If the non-inferiority conclusion is valid, a superiority test can be performed. If the superiority conclusion is valid, the research conclusion is superiority; if the superiority conclusion is invalid, the research conclusion is non-inferiority.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years, with no gender restrictions;
  • Patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis according to the "Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis (2024 Edition)" by the Chinese Osteoarthritis Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines Expert Group;
  • Radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis with Kellgren-Lawrence grading of II to IV;
  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 4 (moderate or higher pain) and WOMAC score ≥ 24;
  • For participants with eligible bilateral knee osteoarthritis, the more severely affected knee will be treated, while the other knee will not be intervened during the study period. If the severity is equal on both sides, the left knee will be selected for intervention;
  • The patient or their legal guardian is able to understand the purpose of the study and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of other inflammatory diseases of the knee joint, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or gouty arthritis; Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of bleeding disorders (e.g., allergic purpura, hemophilia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), hematologic malignancies (e.g., leukemia), or those with unconfirmed bleeding disorders but coagulation dysfunction (coagulation parameters PT, APTT, INR > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal);
  • Patients who have undergone or are planned to undergo knee osteoarthritis surgery within the past 6 months or during the trial period;
  • Patients with local infections at the injection site (e.g., septic arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, or local soft tissue infections) or severe systemic infections (e.g., sepsis);
  • Patients with untreated malignant diseases such as malignancies, which may interfere with the safety and efficacy assessments of the study and affect the patient's participation in the study;
  • Patients with severe hepatic or renal dysfunction [hepatic function indicators alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 2 times the upper limit of normal; renal function indicators serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) > 2 times the upper limit of normal];
  • Patients with hemoglobin < 10 g/dL or platelet count < 125 × 10^9/L;
  • Patients who have used any Chinese or Western medications or therapies for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis within 1 week prior to randomization;
  • Patients who have received intra-articular injections or related drug therapies within the past 3 months;
  • Women who are planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or pregnant during the entire clinical study period;
  • Patients who have participated in other interventional drug or medical device clinical trials within 1 month prior to enrollment;
  • Other situations where the investigator deems the patient unsuitable for participation in this study.

Treatment and study plan

Concentrated Growth Factor (CGF) Intra-articular Injection

Device

Preparation Method: The CGF is prepared using an autologous platelet-rich preparation kit specifically designed to concentrate growth factors from the patient's own blood. The process involves a specialized centrifugation technique that yields a high concentration of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and other bioactive molecules.

Rationale: This intervention leverages the body's natural healing response by utilizing autologous growth factors to enhance the repair of cartilage and other joint tissues affected by osteoarthritis. The high concentration of bioactive molecules in CGF is believed to provide a more potent therapeutic effect compared to other platelet-rich therapies.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Intra-articular Injection

Device

Preparation Method: The PRP is prepared using a disposable PRP preparation device that separates and concentrates platelets from the patient's blood. This process enriches the plasma with platelets and associated growth factors.

Rationale: PRP has been widely used in clinical practice for its ability to promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation in osteoarthritis. It serves as an active comparator in this study, allowing for a direct comparison of the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of CGF against a well-established treatment modality.

Primary outcomes

  1. Absolute Change in The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Score

    Time frame: 1 month after the 1st injection

    The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is used to assess pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. The score ranges from 0 to 96 (using a 5-point Likert scale), with lower scores indicating better outcomes.

    Calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the WOMAC score at 1 month and the baseline score: |Score at 1 month - Score at baseline|.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Absolute Change in The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Score

    Time frame: 2 months after the 1st injection

    Calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the WOMAC score at 2 months and the baseline score: |Score at 2 months - Score at baseline|.

  2. Absolute Change in The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Score

    Time frame: 3 months after the 1st injection

    Calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the WOMAC score at 3 months and the baseline score: |Score at 3 months - Score at baseline|.

  3. Absolute Change in The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score

    Time frame: 1 month after the first injection

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is used to measure the intensity of pain experienced by patients. The VAS score ranges from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating better outcomes (i.e., less pain).

  4. Absolute Change in The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score

    Time frame: 2 months after the first injection

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is used to measure the intensity of pain experienced by patients. The VAS score ranges from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating better outcomes (i.e., less pain).

    Calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the VAS score at 1month and the baseline score: |Score at 2 month - Score at baseline|.

  5. Absolute Change in The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score

    Time frame: 3 months after the first injection

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is used to measure the intensity of pain experienced by patients. The VAS score ranges from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating better outcomes (i.e., less pain).

    Calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the VAS score at 3 months and the baseline score: |Score at 3 months - Score at baseline|.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Guangdong Hongzhi Health Technology

Industry

Collaborators

  • Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
  • Shantou Central Hospital
  • Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of an Autologous Platelet-Rich Concentrated Growth Factor (CGF) Preparation Kit for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 7, 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.

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