Mesenchymal Stem Cells With Cooling Therapy for Infants With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

NCT ID: NCT07018739

Last Updated: 2025-11-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-06-30

Study Completion Date

2033-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious condition in newborns caused by lack of oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth. Standard treatment with cooling therapy (therapeutic hypothermia) lowers the risk of death or disability, but many infants still suffer long-term problems.

This study will test whether adding stem cell therapy after cooling can further improve outcomes. The stem cells are taken from donated human placentas (Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs). The cells are prepared under strict laboratory standards and checked for safety.

Infants with moderate to severe HIE who have completed cooling will be randomly assigned to receive either three intravenous infusions of MSCs or placebo within the first 10 days of life. Each infusion is given over about 30 minutes while the infant is closely monitored.

Researchers will follow participants for up to 2 years. The main outcome is whether MSC treatment can reduce the combined risk of death or serious developmental delay at 1 year of age. The study will also track brain MRI findings, safety events, and developmental progress at 2 years.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal death and long-term disability worldwide. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the established standard of care for term and near-term infants with moderate to severe HIE. Large randomized trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that TH significantly reduces the combined outcome of death or major neurodevelopmental disability at 18 months of age (relative risk 0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.83). However, despite this benefit, many infants continue to have poor outcomes. Importantly, a recent meta-analysis indicated that in upper-middle-income countries, the effect of TH was smaller and did not reach statistical significance (RR 0.67; 95% confidence interval 0.41-1.09), underscoring the need for effective adjunctive treatments.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord have emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy. Preclinical studies demonstrate that MSCs exert neuroprotective and regenerative effects via anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and trophic mechanisms. Early-phase clinical studies of cord blood or MSC products in neonatal HIE have shown feasibility and acceptable safety, with signals suggesting improved neurological recovery. Nevertheless, controlled trials specifically testing MSCs after completion of TH in neonates are lacking.

This study is a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential efficacy of repeated intravenous infusions of Wharton's jelly-derived allogeneic MSCs in neonates with moderate to severe perinatal HIE who have completed TH. Forty infants (gestational age ≥34 weeks, postnatal age ≤10 days) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either MSCs or placebo.

The intervention group will receive three intravenous doses of MSCs (2 × 10\^6 cells/kg per dose, suspended in normal saline) administered over approximately 30 minutes. The control group will receive equivalent volumes of placebo (normal saline). Infants, parents, and treating clinicians will remain blinded to allocation.

All cell products are prepared in a GMP-compliant cleanroom facility with rigorous quality control testing, including sterility, endotoxin, mycoplasma, viability, morphology, immunophenotype, and karyotype. Donor placental tissue undergoes standard infectious disease screening.

Participants will be continuously monitored during and after infusion in the neonatal intensive care unit. Prespecified safety endpoints include fever, sepsis, hemodynamic instability, seizure control, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, thrombosis, and death. A Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will review interim safety data at 25%, 50%, and 75% enrollment, and at 50% of 1-year follow-up. Predefined stopping rules will apply if significant safety concerns are identified.

The primary outcome is the composite of death or neurodevelopmental disability at 1 year of age, defined by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (BSID-IV) cognitive, language, or motor scores \<70. Secondary outcomes include hospital outcomes, brain MRI at 1 month (scored by Weeke criteria), HLA antibody formation at 9-12 months, and neurodevelopmental status at 2 years.

This pilot trial is designed to establish feasibility, evaluate safety, and generate preliminary efficacy estimates to inform future multicenter trials. All infants will receive standard TH and follow-up care, with the investigational therapy given only after cooling to test whether MSCs can further reduce death or disability in this high-risk population.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neonatal Brain Injuries, Hypoxic-Ischemic

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
Investigational product (MSCs or placebo) prepared by laboratory staff not involved in care or assessments. Syringes are identical in appearance and labeled only with subject codes. Clinical staff, investigators, and assessors remain blinded. Emergency unblinding allowed if medically necessary.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells

A total of three IV infusions of MSCs will be administered, one dose per day for three consecutive days, starting within the first 10 days of life, following the completion of TH.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

MSCs (2x10\^6 cells/kg) in 10 mL 0.9%normal saline administered intravenously within 10 days, postnatally after TH completion, every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days

Placebo

A total of three IV infusions of 0.9%NSS will be administered, one dose per day for three consecutive days, starting within the first 10 days of life, following the completion of TH.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

0.9 % Normal Saline

Intervention Type DRUG

0.9% normal saline 10 mL administered intravenously within 10 days, postnatally after TH completion, every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells

MSCs (2x10\^6 cells/kg) in 10 mL 0.9%normal saline administered intravenously within 10 days, postnatally after TH completion, every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

0.9 % Normal Saline

0.9% normal saline 10 mL administered intravenously within 10 days, postnatally after TH completion, every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

mesenchymal stem cells 0.9%NSS

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Term and late-preterm infants (gestational age ≥34 weeks)
* Diagnosed with moderate to severe HIE based on modified Sarnat staging
* Received TH per standard protocol
* Parental consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria

* Major congenital anomalies or genetic syndromes
* Severe sepsis or active infection
* Severe coagulopathy or bleeding disorders
* Multi-organ failure
Minimum Eligible Age

4 Days

Maximum Eligible Age

9 Days

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Siriraj Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Mahidol University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Ratchada Kitsommart, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Mahidol University

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Bangkok, , Thailand

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Thailand

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Ratchada Kitsommart, MD

Role: CONTACT

66961715544

Buranee Yangthara, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

66843270809

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Ratchada Kitsommart, MD

Role: primary

66961715544

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Xu J, Feng Z, Wang X, Xiong Y, Wang L, Ye L, Zhang H. hUC-MSCs Exert a Neuroprotective Effect via Anti-apoptotic Mechanisms in a Neonatal HIE Rat Model. Cell Transplant. 2019 Dec;28(12):1552-1559. doi: 10.1177/0963689719874769. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31512502 (View on PubMed)

Bruschettini M, Romantsik O, Moreira A, Ley D, Thebaud B. Stem cell-based interventions for the prevention of morbidity and mortality following hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in newborn infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Aug 19;8(8):CD013202. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013202.pub2.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 32813884 (View on PubMed)

Teo EJ, Jones LE, Wixey JA, Boyd RN, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. Combined hypothermia and mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: a systematic review. Pediatr Res. 2022 Jul;92(1):25-31. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01716-y. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34482377 (View on PubMed)

Ahn SY, Chang YS, Sung DK, Sung SI, Park WS. Hypothermia broadens the therapeutic time window of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for severe neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Sci Rep. 2018 May 16;8(1):7665. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25902-x.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29769612 (View on PubMed)

Terada K, Sasaki M, Nagahama H, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Oka S, Ukai R, Yokoyama T, Iizuka Y, Sakai T, Fukumura S, Tsugawa T, Kocsis JD, Honmou O. Therapeutic efficacy of intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells in rat perinatal brain injury. Pediatr Res. 2023 Dec;94(6):1921-1928. doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02717-9. Epub 2023 Jul 8.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 37422495 (View on PubMed)

van Velthoven CT, Kavelaars A, van Bel F, Heijnen CJ. Mesenchymal stem cell treatment after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury improves behavioral outcome and induces neuronal and oligodendrocyte regeneration. Brain Behav Immun. 2010 Mar;24(3):387-93. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2009.10.017. Epub 2009 Oct 31.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 19883750 (View on PubMed)

van Velthoven CT, Kavelaars A, van Bel F, Heijnen CJ. Repeated mesenchymal stem cell treatment after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia has distinct effects on formation and maturation of new neurons and oligodendrocytes leading to restoration of damage, corticospinal motor tract activity, and sensorimotor function. J Neurosci. 2010 Jul 14;30(28):9603-11. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1835-10.2010.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 20631189 (View on PubMed)

Wagenaar N, de Theije CGM, de Vries LS, Groenendaal F, Benders MJNL, Nijboer CHA. Promoting neuroregeneration after perinatal arterial ischemic stroke: neurotrophic factors and mesenchymal stem cells. Pediatr Res. 2018 Jan;83(1-2):372-384. doi: 10.1038/pr.2017.243. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 28949952 (View on PubMed)

Ahn SY, Chang YS, Sung DK, Sung SI, Ahn JY, Park WS. Pivotal Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Secreted by Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Newborn Rats. Cell Transplant. 2017 Jan 24;26(1):145-156. doi: 10.3727/096368916X692861. Epub 2016 Aug 16.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 27535166 (View on PubMed)

Lalu MM, McIntyre L, Pugliese C, Fergusson D, Winston BW, Marshall JC, Granton J, Stewart DJ; Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Safety of cell therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells (SafeCell): a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e47559. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047559. Epub 2012 Oct 25.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 23133515 (View on PubMed)

Mintoft A, Vallatos A, Robertson NJ. Mesenchymal Stromal Cell therapy for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Future directions for combination therapy with hypothermia and/or melatonin. Semin Perinatol. 2024 Aug;48(5):151929. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2024.151929. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38902120 (View on PubMed)

Dezawa M, Kanno H, Hoshino M, Cho H, Matsumoto N, Itokazu Y, Tajima N, Yamada H, Sawada H, Ishikawa H, Mimura T, Kitada M, Suzuki Y, Ide C. Specific induction of neuronal cells from bone marrow stromal cells and application for autologous transplantation. J Clin Invest. 2004 Jun;113(12):1701-10. doi: 10.1172/JCI20935.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 15199405 (View on PubMed)

Uccelli A, Moretta L, Pistoia V. Mesenchymal stem cells in health and disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2008 Sep;8(9):726-36. doi: 10.1038/nri2395.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 19172693 (View on PubMed)

Braccioli L, Heijnen CJ, Coffer PJ, Nijboer CH. Delayed administration of neural stem cells after hypoxia-ischemia reduces sensorimotor deficits, cerebral lesion size, and neuroinflammation in neonatal mice. Pediatr Res. 2017 Jan;81(1-1):127-135. doi: 10.1038/pr.2016.172. Epub 2016 Sep 15.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 27632779 (View on PubMed)

Kaminski N, Koster C, Mouloud Y, Borger V, Felderhoff-Muser U, Bendix I, Giebel B, Herz J. Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Neuroinflammation, Promote Neural Cell Proliferation and Improve Oligodendrocyte Maturation in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury. Front Cell Neurosci. 2020 Dec 10;14:601176. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2020.601176. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 33362471 (View on PubMed)

Nabetani M, Shintaku H, Hamazaki T. Future perspectives of cell therapy for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Pediatr Res. 2018 Jan;83(1-2):356-363. doi: 10.1038/pr.2017.260. Epub 2017 Nov 8.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29016557 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

Si 213/2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.