MSC Secretome Therapy for Cognitive Recovery After Subacute Ischemic Stroke

July 23, 2026 updated by: Jumraini Tammasse

Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Therapy on Cognitive Recovery in Patients With Subacute Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Using qEEG, BDNF, and Interleukin-1β Evaluation

Post-stroke cognitive impairment can limit rehabilitation, independence, and quality of life after ischemic stroke. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates whether mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome, given in addition to standard stroke care and rehabilitation, improves cognitive recovery in patients with subacute ischemic stroke. Participants aged 40 to 75 years with ischemic stroke occurring 7 days to 3 months previously and mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive standard care and rehabilitation plus MSC secretome or standard care and rehabilitation without MSC secretome. The primary outcome is the change in the Indonesian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. Secondary outcomes include quantitative electroencephalography parameters, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, serum interleukin-1β, NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale, and adverse events.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is a pilot, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. The study population consists of patients aged 40 to 75 years with clinically and radiologically confirmed subacute ischemic stroke, defined as 7 days to 3 months after stroke onset. Eligible participants must be hemodynamically stable, able to undergo a basic neuropsychological assessment, and have mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment based on the Indonesian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio using block randomization with allocation concealment. The intervention group will receive standard stroke care and rehabilitation plus umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome. The control group will receive standard medical treatment and standardized stroke rehabilitation without MSC secretome. Outcome assessors will remain unaware of treatment allocation.

Baseline assessments include demographic and vascular risk factor data, NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale, MoCA-Ina, quantitative electroencephalography, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and serum interleukin-1β. Follow-up assessments will include cognitive, neurological, functional, electrophysiological, biomarker, and safety evaluations at the prespecified study visits.

The primary outcome is the change in MoCA-Ina total score from baseline to week 8. Secondary outcomes include changes in delta-to-alpha ratio, delta-theta-to-alpha-beta ratio, relative alpha power, relative theta power, serum BDNF, serum IL-1β, NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale, and the incidence of adverse events. The primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle, with per-protocol analysis as an additional analysis.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

70

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

  • Name: Jumraini Tammasse, Sp.N, Subsp.NRE(K)
  • Phone Number: +6282188833368
  • Email: tejayanovi@gmail.com

Study Locations

  • Indonesia
    • South Sulawesi
      • Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 90245
        • Recruiting
        • Hasanuddin University Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jumraini Tammasse, Sp.N, Subsp.NRE(K)

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:

  1. Age 40 to 75 years.
  2. Diagnosis of ischemic stroke confirmed by clinical examination and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
  3. Stroke onset between 7 days and 3 months before enrollment.
  4. Hemodynamically stable.
  5. Able to undergo a basic neuropsychological assessment.
  6. Mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment based on the Indonesian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
  7. Willing to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Hemorrhagic stroke or mixed ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
  2. Severe aphasia, impaired consciousness, or severe sensory deficits that make cognitive assessment invalid.
  3. History of dementia before stroke or a major neurodegenerative disorder.
  4. Active infection, active autoimmune disease, active malignancy, severe renal failure, or severe liver failure.
  5. Uncontrolled epilepsy.
  6. Concurrent participation in another clinical trial.
  7. Contraindication to any study intervention or study procedure.

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: MSC Secretome Plus Standard of Care
Participants receive standard medical treatment and standardized stroke rehabilitation plus umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome. The secretome intervention is administered according to the study protocol, with safety monitoring during and after administration.
Biological: Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Secretome
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome is administered in addition to standard medical treatment and standardized stroke rehabilitation. The intervention is administered twice, on day 1 and day 8, according to the investigational product protocol. Participants are monitored during and after administration for hypersensitivity reactions, fever, and other adverse events.
Other Names:
  • USEPro
Other: Standard Stroke Care and Rehabilitation
Participants receive standard medical management for subacute ischemic stroke and standardized stroke rehabilitation according to the treating physician and institutional clinical practice. The same standard care and rehabilitation are provided to both study groups.
Active Comparator: Standard of Care Alone
Participants receive standard medical treatment and standardized stroke rehabilitation without MSC secretome.
Other: Standard Stroke Care and Rehabilitation
Participants receive standard medical management for subacute ischemic stroke and standardized stroke rehabilitation according to the treating physician and institutional clinical practice. The same standard care and rehabilitation are provided to both study groups.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesian Version Total Score
Time Frame: Baseline to week 8
The MoCA-Ina assesses visuospatial-executive function, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. The outcome is the change in total MoCA-Ina score from baseline to the final follow-up assessment.
Baseline to week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Delta-to-Alpha Ratio on Quantitative Electroencephalography
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
The delta-to-alpha ratio is calculated from quantitative electroencephalography spectral power measurements. The outcome is the change in DAR from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Delta-Theta-to-Alpha-Beta Ratio on Quantitative Electroencephalography
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
The delta-theta-to-alpha-beta ratio is calculated from quantitative electroencephalography spectral power measurements. The outcome is the change in DTABR from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Relative Alpha Power on Quantitative Electroencephalography
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Relative alpha power is derived from quantitative electroencephalography spectral power analysis. The outcome is the change in relative alpha power from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Relative Theta Power on Quantitative Electroencephalography
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Relative theta power is derived from quantitative electroencephalography spectral power analysis. The outcome is the change in relative theta power from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and week 8
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration is measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The outcome is the change in serum BDNF concentration from baseline to week 8.
Baseline and week 8
Change in Serum Interleukin-1 Beta Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and week 8
Serum interleukin-1 beta concentration is measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The outcome is the change in serum IL-1 beta concentration from baseline to week 8.
Baseline and week 8
Change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assesses neurological impairment. Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater neurological impairment. The outcome is the change in NIHSS score from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Modified Rankin Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
The modified Rankin Scale assesses global disability after stroke. Scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability or death. The outcome is the change in modified Rankin Scale score from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Time Frame: From the first intervention through week 8
The number and proportion of participants experiencing adverse events, including hypersensitivity reactions, fever, administration-related reactions, hospitalization, seizure, infection, neurological deterioration, and death, will be recorded.
From the first intervention through week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Jumraini Tammasse

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Jumraini Tammasse, Sp.N, Subsp.NRE(K), Hasanuddin University

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)

July 9, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UH26060713
  • 847/UN4.6.4.5.31/PP36/2026 (Other Identifier: Health Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data sharing is not currently planned. Participant data will be coded, stored securely, and reported only in aggregate form without direct personal identifiers.

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.

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