Clinical Application of Stem Cell Educator Therapy in Alopecia Areata

Last updated: January 10, 2023
Sponsor: Throne Biotechnologies Inc.
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Hair Loss

Alopecia

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04011748
2019-TH-001
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease that results in loss of body hair in varying degrees. The condition is estimated to affect more than 6.8 million people in the United States alone (naaf.org), with a worldwide prevalence of 0.1% to 0.2% and calculated lifetime risk of 2%. AA is the most common form of the disease, in which areas of complete hair loss arise within normal hair-bearing skin. Other forms include alopecia totalis (AT), characterized by total loss of scalp hair, and alopecia universalis (AU), characterized by complete loss of body hair. AA and its variants can have devastating effects on patients' quality of life and social functioning. At present, curative therapy for AA does not exist. Therapeutic options are currently very limited, such as intralesional injections of glucocorticoids and induction of allergic contact dermatitis. These therapies are not effective for many patients and are generally impractical for patients with diffuse AA, AT or AU. Recently, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors were effective for the treatment of severe AA. However, for those patients who do respond, relapses are common after discontinuation of treatment, due to the existing of autoimmune memory T cells. Stem Cell Educator (SCE) therapy, which uses only autologous mononuclear cells that are externally exposed to cord blood stem cells, has previously been proven safe and effective in subjects for the improvement of type 1 diabetes (T1D), T2D and other autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata. Minoxidil is the FDA approved drug for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in 1988. This trial will explore the therapeutic potential of Stem Cell Educator therapy for the treatment of AA by using topical minoxidil as control.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Adult patients ( 18 years)
  2. Must have a clinical diagnosis of AA, at least 50% hair loss involving the scalp
  3. For cases in which there is 80% or more scalp hair loss, the duration of the severityof hair loss must be 10 years or less
  4. Stable or worsening hair loss for at least 6 months without evidence of hair regrowth
  5. Patients must not have received any treatments known to affect AA within 2 months ofscreening
  6. Patients must agree that they are not permitted to use any other treatment besidestopical minoxidil known to affect AA during a period of 6 months after undergoing SCEtherapy
  7. Adequate venous access for apheresis
  8. Ability to provide informed consent
  9. For female patients only, willingness to use FDA-recommended birth control (http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/FreePublications/UCM356 451.pdf) until 6 months post treatment.
  10. Must agree to comply with all study requirements and be willing to complete all studyvisits

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. AST or ALT 2 > x upper limit of normal.
  2. Abnormal bilirubin (total bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dL, direct bilirubin > 0.4 mg/dL)
  3. Creatinine > 2.0 mg/dl.
  4. Known coronary artery disease or EKG suggestive of coronary artery disease unlesscardiac clearance for apheresis is obtained from a cardiologist.
  5. Known active infection such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus (HIV)
  6. Pregnancy assessed by a positive serum pregnancy test or breastfeeding mothers
  7. Use of immunosuppressive medication within one month of enrollment including but notlimited to prednisone, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and chemotherapy.
  8. Presence of any other autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma,etc.)
  9. Anticoagulation other than ASA.
  10. Hemoglobin < 10 g/dl or platelets < 100 k/ml
  11. Is unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
  12. Presence of any other physical or psychological medical condition that, in the opinionof the investigator, would preclude participation
  13. Significant cardiovascular diseases that would make use of oral minoxidilinappropriate.

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Study Start date:
September 20, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
July 30, 2023

Connect with a study center

  • Yale University School of Medicine

    New Haven, Connecticut 06520
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Hackensack Meridian Health

    Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Throne Biotechnologies

    Paramus, New Jersey 07652
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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