Thermosensitive Gel Nasal Spray With Stem Cell Exosomes, Mupirocin, and DNase I for Chronic Sinusitis

This is an exploratory, single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. A total of 108 participants (allowing for 20% dropout) will be enrolled and allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to three parallel groups:

• Group A (triple combination): thermosensitive gel + human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (hUC-MSC-Exo, 1×10^10 particles/mL) + mupirocin (2%) + DNase I (0.1%).
• Group B (dual control): gel + mupirocin (2%) + DNase I (0.1%).
• Group C (placebo): blank gel matrix only. The gel matrix consists of Poloxamer 407 (18%) and chitosan hydrochloride (0.5%) in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 6.4-6.8). At room temperature it is a liquid; upon contact with the nasal mucosa (33-35°C) it forms a semi-solid gel within 30 seconds, enabling sustained release.

Participants aged 18-65 years with diagnosed chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without polyps (duration >12 weeks), Lund-Kennedy secretion score ≥1, positive nasal culture for Staphylococcus aureus, and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) score ≥30 are eligible. Key exclusion criteria include sinus surgery within 6 months, nasal polyps, Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the primary pathogen, use of systemic antibiotics/immunosuppressants within 4 weeks, and pregnancy.

The treatment period is 28 days, with twice-daily dosing (morning and evening). Each dose: 2 sprays per nostril (50 microlitres per spray). Single-spray dose: exosomes 2×10^9 particles, mupirocin 4 mg, DNase I 0.2 mg. Daily total doses are doubled.

Study visits include screening (day -7 to 0), treatment (days 1, 7, 14, 21), end-of-treatment (day 29±2), short-term follow-up (day 42±3), and long-term follow-up (day 90±7). Primary outcome: safety assessed by adverse events (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0, CTCAE v5.0). Secondary outcomes: bacterial clearance rate of Staphylococcus aureus, change in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) levels measured by MPO-DNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), mucus viscosity (rheometer), endoscopic Lund-Kennedy score (0-20, higher=worse), SNOT-22 score (0-110, higher=worse), visual analog scale (VAS) symptom diary (0-10, higher=worse), and number of acute exacerbations. Exploratory outcomes include biofilm disruption (electron microscopy), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-8, IL-8; interleukin-17, IL-17; tumour necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α; interleukin-10, IL-10), tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, ZO-1; occludin), 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) microbiome diversity, and mupirocin susceptibility testing.

The trial will be conducted at The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University (Zhongyuan Regenerative Medicine Laboratory). It has received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University (approval number: 2026-30). The study will adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the Declaration of Helsinki, and local regulations. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 to 65 years, both genders
• Diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps according to Chinese guidelines (2018), duration >12 weeks
• Nasal endoscopy shows purulent secretions (Lund-Kennedy secretion score ≥1)
• Nasal secretion culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus
• Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) score ≥30
• Voluntary signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Sinus surgery within past 6 months, or anatomical abnormalities requiring reoperation
• Confirmed allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, odontogenic rhinosinusitis, or nasal polyps
• Nasal discharge culture indicating Pseudomonas aeruginosa as primary pathogen
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis, or severe immunodeficiency
• Use of systemic antibiotics or immunosuppressants within past 4 weeks
• Use of intranasal corticosteroids within past 2 weeks
• Hypersensitivity to mupirocin, DNase I, or any component of the formulation
• Severe renal impairment (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²)
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
• Uncontrolled severe systemic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune diseases)
• Malignancy within past 5 years
• Participation in other clinical trials