Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Exosomes in Osteoarthritis Patients

September 8, 2025 updated by: Leila Dehghani, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

The Efficacy of Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Exosomes in Osteoarthritis Patients

Present research focuses on the potential of exosomes, which are small vesicles secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis (OA).

OA is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by the destruction of cartilage and loss of extracellular matrix. It's associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs" (ADAMTS).

MSCs have been explored as a new treatment for OA over the last decade1. It's suggested that the paracrine secretion of trophic factors, in which exosomes play a crucial role, contributes to the mechanism of MSC-based treatment of OA.

Exosomes derived from MSCs may suppress OA development. They carry bioactive molecules of the parental cells, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and proteins and anti-inflammatory factors. These exosomes have shown a significant impact on the modulation of various physiological behaviors of cells in the joint cavity.

This research provides hope for developing more effective and predictable methods of using MSC-derived exosomes for OA treatment.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

20

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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 Backup

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic history (for at least 3 months) of knee joint pain
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 21.5 and 29.5
  • Radiographically documented knee osteoarthritis of grades 1 to 3 (Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) radiographic classification scale)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases
  • Varus or valgus more than 10 degrees; lateral subluxation of the patella
  • Deformity at the joint levels or adjacent to the knee due to fracture or any other injury
  • Complete rupture of the ligament and meniscus leading to laxity or locking
  • Serious systemic, oncohematological, autoimmune diseases; history of severe allergy; serious failure of vital organs, inability to walk
  • Hyaluronic acid infiltration within the previous six months
  • Hemoglobin levels <10 g/dL;

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: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Treatment
Patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2,3 in both knees; accompanied by mild to moderate pain and swelling are included.
Biological: Exosome
intra-articular injection is suggested for two times: day 1and day 90
Other Names:
  • EVs

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC)
Time Frame: 1, 3, and 6 months. The second injection is repeated in day 90 after first injection.
Filling out the WOMAC questionnaire, evaluating the measures related to knee function
1, 3, and 6 months. The second injection is repeated in day 90 after first injection.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Leila Dehghani, Dr, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

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 (Actual)

January 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 25, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 14, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 14, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

June 20, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 8, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Isfahan med

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

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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