Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome for Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial (SECRETOME-RA)

July 15, 2026 updated by: Universitas Sriwijaya

Clinical and Biological Effects of Intramuscular Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome in Patients With Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive joint destruction, pain, and functional disability. Although conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) are the standard treatment, many patients continue to have active disease despite therapy. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) secretome contains bioactive molecules with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that may improve clinical outcomes. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of intramuscular UC-MSC secretome as an adjunct to standard csDMARD therapy in patients with moderate rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical response, inflammatory biomarkers, and adverse events are evaluated throughout the study.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive cartilage destruction, bone erosion, and functional disability. Although conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) remain the standard treatment, a substantial proportion of patients continue to experience active disease, highlighting the need for adjunctive therapeutic strategies.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) secretome is a cell-free biological product containing cytokines, growth factors, extracellular vesicles, and other bioactive molecules with immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. Compared with live-cell therapy, secretome-based treatment may offer advantages including lower immunogenicity, easier storage and transportation, and standardized manufacturing.

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intramuscular UC-MSC secretome administered in combination with stable csDMARD therapy in patients with moderate rheumatoid arthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either UC-MSC secretome or placebo in addition to standard treatment. The intervention consisted of six weekly intramuscular injections, followed by protocol-defined clinical and safety follow-up.

The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement response (ACR20). Key secondary endpoints included ACR50 and ACR70 response rates, changes in inflammatory biomarkers (including TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β), disease activity, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment safety.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

40

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Indonesia
    • South Sumatera
      • Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia, 30126
        • Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital

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

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • -Adults aged 18 to 60 years.
  • Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria.
  • Moderate disease activity (DAS28-CRP >3.2 and ≤5.1).
  • Receiving stable conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy for at least 3 months before enrollment.
  • Stable dose of corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs for at least 4 weeks before enrollment, if applicable.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Other autoimmune rheumatic diseases or overlap syndromes.
  • Active tuberculosis or other severe active infections.
  • Active hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV infection.
  • History of malignancy.
  • Severe renal impairment or severe hepatic dysfunction.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Known hypersensitivity to the study intervention or its components.
  • Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the previous 3 months.

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: UC-MSC Secretome + Standard csDMARD
Participants received 1.5 mL intramuscular umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) secretome once weekly for six consecutive weeks in addition to stable conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy. Clinical outcomes and biomarkers were evaluated throughout the study and during follow-up.
Biological: Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (UC-MSC) Secretome
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) secretome was administered as a 1.5 mL intramuscular injection once weekly for six consecutive weeks in addition to stable conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo + Standard csDMARD
Participants received 1.5 mL intramuscular placebo (normal saline) once weekly for six consecutive weeks in addition to stable conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy. Clinical outcomes and biomarkers were evaluated throughout the study and during follow-up.
Other: Placebo (Normal Saline)
Placebo consisting of 1.5 mL normal saline was administered intramuscularly once weekly for six consecutive weeks in addition to stable conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ACR20 Response Rate
Time Frame: Week 7
Percentage of participants achieving at least a 20% improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) response criteria after 6 weeks of treatment, assessed at Week 7.
Week 7

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Universitas Sriwijaya

Collaborators

PT Bifarma Adiluhung
Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Radiyati Umi Partan, Professor, MD, PhD, Universitas Sriwijaya

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)

February 4, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 24, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

June 4, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 20, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • RSMH-RA-UCMSC-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

IPD Plan Description

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Although standard medicines help many patients, some continue to have active disease. This study will compare umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) secretome with placebo, both given together with standard rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Participants will receive a weekly intramuscular injection for six weeks. The study will evaluate whether UC-MSC secretome is safe and can reduce disease activity, improve symptoms, and change blood markers related to inflammation.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

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.

Clinical Trials on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Clinical Trials on Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (UC-MSC) Secretome

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Peru

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe