Placental Cells for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

June 30, 2026 updated by: Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Phase 1 Safety Trial of Placental Stem Cells (PLSC) to Accelerate the Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

The purpose of this research study is to test the safety of placental stem cells to treat non-healing diabetic foot ulcers.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, non-randomized, single institution, Phase 1 safety trial to evaluate the safety of placental stem cells and the rate of diabetic foot ulcer healing in a population of subjects with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers for at least 4 weeks. The trial will also explore the clinical outcomes of placental stem cells treatment on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, the trial will evaluate the effect of the placental stem cells on serum biomarkers associated with diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (measured pre- and post-treatment) and correlate the biomarker levels with any changes in diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Twelve adult subjects with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers for at least four weeks from diagnosis and not more than 12 months with wound sizes ≥ 2 cm2 and ≤ 4 cm2 will be recruited and treated. Subjects will be followed for 12 months after treatment.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
12

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) - for at least 1 year
  • Unilateral non-healing Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) > 2 cm2 and ≤ 4 cm2 (length × width) for at least four weeks despite Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist standard of care treatment (which can include total contact cast, knee high air cast, and/or compression wrap)
  • No new diabetes medication for at least 2 weeks pre-treatment
  • Subjects must be willing to avoid steroids for the week prior to procedure day

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical signs of active infection requiring systemic antibiotic therapy less than 7 days prior to enrollment.
  • Radiographic or clinical evidence of active and untreated osteomyelitis at the target ulcer site. Current use of systemic immunosuppressive therapy, including chronic corticosteroids (equivalent to >10 mg/day prednisone for >14 days).
  • Hemoglobin (Hgb) A1C >12.0 at screening or time in range for the blood glucose level (TIR) less than 30%. Hb A1c should not be used for patient with hypoalbuminemia or anemia in the past 3 months and for patients with Chronic Kidney disease stage 4. For patients who have Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), instead of Hb A1c, TIR (time in range) less than 30 % will be used.
  • Patients who are unable / unwilling to tolerate an effective offloading approach. This includes total contact cast, soft felted cast or knee high fracture boot.
  • Current alcohol or substance abuse that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with study participation.
  • Active malignancy or malignancy related limb amputation.
  • Women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
  • Patients with albumin levels less than 3.5 or prealbumin levels less than 18.
  • Subjects with any conditions that the clinical Investigator believes may jeopardize the safety of the patient to participate in the trial.
  • Severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) less than 0.5) or TCOM (Transcutaneous Oximetry Measurement) less than 40 mmHg.
  • TWSB > 30 cm2 (total wound surface burden)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Diabetic with Foot Ulcer
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with a non-healing (> 4 weeks) unilateral diabetic foot ulcer despite standard of care treatment
Drug: Placenta Stem Cells
Injection of 30 M placenta stem cells into/around the diabetic foot ulcer and along the anterior and posterior tibial arteries of the index leg.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Month 1
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Month 3
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Month 6
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Injection Sites Bleeding
Month 12
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Month 1
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Month 3
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Month 6
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Injection Sites infection/inflammation
Month 12
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Month 1
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Month 3
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Month 6
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Injection Sites with damage to surrounding tissue
Month 12
Number of Subjects with pain
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Subjects with pain
Month 1
Number of Subjects with pain
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Subjects with pain
Month 3
Number of Subjects with pain
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Subjects with pain
Month 6
Number of Subjects with pain
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Subjects with pain
Month 12
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Month 1
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Month 3
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Month 6
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Subjects with allergic reaction to placental cells
Month 12
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Time Frame: Month 1
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Month 1
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Time Frame: Month 3
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Month 3
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Time Frame: Month 6
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Month 6
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Time Frame: Month 12
Number of Subjects with worsening of wound
Month 12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) size
Time Frame: Month 12
DFU healing in this trial will be assessed by measuring the size of the DFU and plotting open wound size over the 12-month follow-up period.
Month 12

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament and Vibration Test
Time Frame: Months 1, 3, 6 and 12
The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test is a diagnostic tool used to assess cutaneous touch and pressure sensation. By using calibrated nylon strands that buckle at specific forces, clinicians can evaluate peripheral nerve function and reliably detect the loss of protective sensation, primarily caused by conditions like diabetic neuropathy
Months 1, 3, 6 and 12

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Lucian G. Vlad, MD, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 30, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 30, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 7, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 30, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IRB00152562

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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