MedTrace Logo

EvaluatIon of Autologous Nucleus Pulposus Cells (aNPC) in Degenerative Disc Disease

NCT07168603 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 12

Last updated 2026-04-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This is an open-label, single-center Phase I/II clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of autologous nucleus pulposus cells (aNPC) in patients with disc degeneration. Eligible participants are those assessed by the principal investigator to have disc herniation suitable for discectomy and confirmed disc degeneration. During the treatment period, participants will receive a single injection of autologous nucleus pulposus cells at a concentration of approximately 1×10⁶ viable cells/mL with a total volume not exceeding 3 mL. The injection will be guided by C-arm X-ray to ensure accurate placement into the degenerated central nucleus pulposus of the disc from which tissue was previously harvested. Participants will be followed for 12 months. Safety assessments will primarily include monitoring for inflammatory responses using ESR and CRP after cell injection, as well as recording any treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). Efficacy will be evaluated using pain assessment and imaging outcomes, including lumbar X-ray and MRI reviewed independently by a radiologist. Additionally, patient-reported outcomes will assess quality of life improvements following treatment using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Laboratory tests, including CBC/DC, BUN, creatinine, AST, and ALT, will also be conducted throughout the treatment and observation period to monitor participant safety.

Conditions

  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Interventions

DRUG

aNPC

Eligible subjects must be diagnosed with disc herniation and scheduled for discectomy, nucleus pulposus tissue will be collected for cell culture. Cultured cells will be then reintroduced into the degenerated disc via injection. Subjects will undergo multiple follow-up visits after surgery to evaluate safety and efficacy, supplemented with imaging studies to assess disc height, tissue regeneration, and water-retention capacity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • ASTEROGENE Biomedical Co. Ltd.

    lead INDUSTRY

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-09-26
Primary Completion
2026-12-01
Completion
2027-02-01

Countries

  • Taiwan

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07168603 on ClinicalTrials.gov