Stem Cell Fistula Plug in Perianal Crohn's Disease

Overview

About this study

The investigators propose to study the safety of autologous mesenchymal stromal cell transfer using a biomatrix (the Gore® Bio-A®; Fistula Plug) in a Phase I study using a single dose of 20 million cells. Twenty adult patients (age 18 years or older) with refractory, complicated perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease will be enrolled. Subjects will undergo standard adjuvant therapy including drainage of infection and placement of a draining seton with continuation of pre-existing anti-Crohn's therapy. 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 subjects 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.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Males and females 18-65 years of age.
  • Residents of the United States.
  • Crohn's disease with single or multiple draining complex perianal fistulae (definition as below) for at least three months despite standard therapy (definition below).
  • 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

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.
  • If liposuction is not technically feasible
  • Allergic to local anesthetics
  • Pregnant patients or trying to become pregnant.
  • Non-enterocutaneous tracts (ie recto-vaginal, entero-vesicular)

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

William Faubion, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Jessica Friton

(507) 284-0495

Friton.Jessica@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

  • In patients with Crohn's disease, perianal fistulas recur frequently, causing substantial morbidity. We performed a 12-patient, 6-month, phase 1 trial to determine whether autologous mesenchymal stem cells, applied in a bioabsorbable matrix, can heal the fistula. Fistula repair was not associated with any serious adverse events related to mesenchymal stem cells or plug placement. At 6 months, 10 of 12 patients (83%) had complete clinical healing and radiographic markers of response. We found placement of mesenchymal stem cell-coated matrix fistula plugs in 12 patients with chronic perianal fistulas to be safe and lead to clinical healing and radiographic response in 10 patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01915927. Read More on PubMed