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A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Intramuscular Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Subjects With Moderate to Severe Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07183761
Acronym
RELEASE-DPN
Enrollment
140
Registered
2025-09-19
Start date
2025-10-01
Completion date
2028-08-30
Last updated
2026-04-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

Keywords

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation, Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief summary

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) injection in the treatment of adults with moderate to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Researchers will compare hUC-MSCs injection combined with conventional therapy (experimental group) to conventional therapy alone (control group) to see if hUC-MSCs work to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The experimental group will receive three injections of hUC-MSCs (on Day 0, Day 7, and Day 28) while continuing conventional therapy, whereas the control group will receive conventional therapy only. Participants will undergo regular follow-ups for checkups and tests over a 24-week period. The primary endpoint of the study is the change in the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) score at Week 24. Safety assessments will be conducted throughout the entire study period, with extended follow-up until Week 104 to evaluate long-term safety.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALExperimental Group

On day 0, day 7, and day 28 after enrollment, the study subjects will receive intramuscular injections of hUC-MSCs suspension in normal saline into the medial and lateral muscle groups of both lower legs. Concurrently, all patients will continue to receive conventional therapy.

DRUGConventional therapy group

The conventional therapy include fundamental blood glucose management, basic treatment for diabetic neuropathy along with pain management therapy, as well as management of comorbidities and risk factors.

Sponsors

Min Long
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Males or females aged 18-80 years; 2. Meeting the 2023 ADA diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes; 3. Presence of symptoms and signs of diabetic neuropathy in lower extremities: For symptomatic patients: At least one abnormal finding among ankle reflex, pinprick sensation, vibration sense, pressure perception, or temperature sensation, accompanied by clinical symptoms (e.g., symmetric lower limb numbness, pain, or tingling); For asymptomatic patients: At least two abnormal findings in the above five examinations; 4. Confirmed neurophysiological dysfunction: Reduced nerve conduction velocity (≥2 standard deviations) in at least one lower extremity nerve (common peroneal, posterior tibial, or deep peroneal nerve), with or without decreased amplitude; Moderate to severe neuropathy severity: 5. Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) score ≥9; 6. Inadequate response to conventional therapy: Persistent symptoms (reduction of TCSS score \<2 points from baseline) despite ≥3 months of conventinal treatment; 7. Capacity to understand and voluntarily complete all study procedures and interventions, with signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. Non-diabetic neuropathy or pain conditions in lower limbs that may confound DPN assessment per investigator's judgment; 2. Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \>12%); 3. Severe hematological, hepatic, or renal dysfunction, meeting any of the following laboratory criteria: Hematology: Neutrophils \<1.5×10⁹/L, platelets \<90×10⁹/L, or hemoglobin \<80 g/L; Liver function: ALT or AST \>3× upper limit of normal (ULN), or total bilirubin \>1.5× ULN; Renal function: eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73m² (calculated by MDRD formula) or requiring renal replacement therapy; Creatine kinase \>2× ULN; 4. Known allergy to stem cells, stem cell-derived products, or components of stem cell preparations; 5. Current use of prohibited medications within 5 half-lives prior to enrollment (may be reconsidered after ≥5 half-lives washout); 6. Uncontrolled systemic diseases, including but not limited to: Severe uncontrolled systemic infections (bacterial, fungal, or viral); Severe autoimmune disorders; Hematological diseases; Heart failure (NYHA class ≥III); 7. Clinically significant arrhythmia on 12-lead ECG; 8. Conditions requiring amputation (e.g., severe diabetic foot or lower limb ulcers) that preclude local stem cell injection; 9. Other diseases unsuitable for trial participation (e.g., active malignancy, cognitive impairment, depression, or psychiatric disorders); 10. Participation in any interventional clinical trial within 3 months prior to screening; 11. Pregnancy, lactation, or planning pregnancy within 2 years; 12. Any other condition deemed by the investigator to compromise trial suitability.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) scoreFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodThe TCSS is a method for assessing neurological function. It evaluates patients based on their symptoms, reflexes, and sensory test results to determine whether neurological impairment exists.
Incidence of stem cell-related adverse eventsFrom enrollment to week 104 of the study periodSafety endpoints
Incidence of stem cell-associated adverse reactionsFrom enrollment to week 104 of the study periodSafety endpoints

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Nerve conduction velocityFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodEvaluated using electrophysiological studies to measure nerve conduction function
Quantitative Sensory TestingFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodAssess the participants' perception of temperature, vibration, and tactile sensations.
Pain ScoreFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodAssess the participants' pain score using visual analog scale (VAS).
Neuropathic painFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodDN4 Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire
Health-related quality of lifeFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodEuroQol Five-Dimensional Five-Level Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)
Anxiety and Depression ScaleFrom enrollment to week 24 of the study periodHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTMin Long
longmin_casper@163.com+862368765431

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 24, 2026