Efficacy of iPSC-Derived Motor Neuron Cells (XS228) in Subacute Spinal Cord Injury: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial
Key facts
- Phase
- Phase 2
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Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT06974968, who can take part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- XellSmart Bio-Pharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
- Trial code
- NCT06974968
- Record updated
- 25 November 2025
- Original description
Purpose: This clinical trial is studying an investigational cell therapy called XS228-a lab-made stem cell product designed to help repair damaged nerves in the spinal cord. The goal is to see if XS228 is safe and can improve movement, sensation, and function in people with recent spinal cord injuries.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Phase II Clinical Study Evaluating the Preliminary Efficacy of Human Allogeneic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells (XS228 Cell Injection) in Patients With Subacute Spinal Cord Injury
Purpose: This clinical trial is studying an investigational cell therapy called XS228-a lab-made stem cell product designed to help repair damaged nerves in the spinal cord. The goal is to see if XS228 is safe and can improve movement, sensation, and function in people with recent spinal cord injuries.
Study Treatment: XS228 contains specialized nerve-supporting cells derived from human stem cells. These cells are injected into the spinal fluid (intrathecal administration) in a single dose.
Who Can Join? Adults aged 18-65 with a spinal cord injury (thoracic or lumbar level) that occurred 2-12 weeks before enrollment. Participants must have severe but incomplete paralysis (ASIA Impairment Scale Grade A , B or C).
Study Plan:
Phase II (Main Study): About 60 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either XS228 or a placebo (inactive solution) in a 2:1 ratio.
Follow-up: Patients will be monitored for 1 year, with regular check-ups to assess safety, nerve function, and recovery progress.
What Researchers Are Looking For:
Primary Goal: Measure changes in leg and arm function using the ASIA Motor Score at 6 months.
Secondary Goals:
Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade (e.g., from "complete" to "incomplete" paralysis).
Recovery of sensation and bladder/bowel control. Safety (monitoring for side effects like infections or immune reactions). Exploratory Tests: MRI scans and biomarker tests in spinal fluid to see if the treatment helps nerve regrowth.
Why This Study Matters: If successful, XS228 could become the first stem cell therapy to promote meaningful recovery in spinal cord injury patients. Currently, no treatments exist to repair nerve damage-this trial aims to change that.
Inclusion: Age: 18 to 65 years (inclusive), regardless of gender; Etiology: Cervical (C4) to lumbar (L2) spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by traumatic injury or surgery-related factors; Severity:; Classified as ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) Grades A, B, or C. MRI-confirmed evidence of spinal cord injury; Disease Stage:; Primary SCI occurring 14 to 60 days prior to screening (subacute phase); Contraception:; Participants of childbearing potential (male and female) must agree to use effective non-hormonal contraceptive methods during the trial and for 6 months after trial completion; Compliance:; Voluntarily participate in the clinical study. Ability to understand and comply with study procedures. Participant or legal guardian can provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: Neurological Inability; Primary spinal cord injury (SCI) during screening with concomitant severe traumatic brain injury precluding neurological function assessment; Respiratory/Circulatory Instability; High cervical SCI (C1-C3) causing respiratory/circulatory compromise requiring endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy; Life-Threatening Multiorgan Dysfunction; Concurrent severe injuries to other organ systems with life-threatening dysfunction; Unstable Thoracoabdominal Injuries; Injuries to lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, etc., deemed unstable by the investigator; Prior Spinal Pathology; History of SCI or coexisting spinal disorders (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, spinal deformities, primary/metastatic spinal tumors, spinal vascular malformations, syringomyelia); Local Infection/Increased ICP; Active infection at the lumbar puncture site or intracranial hypertension during screening; Severe Infections; Sepsis, septic shock, or severe pneumonia (per IDSA/ATS 2007 diagnostic criteria); Confounding Neurological/Psychiatric Conditions; Parkinson's disease, severe dementia, myasthenia gravis, stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, or other conditions interfering with study assessments; Cardiac Abnormalities (any of the following):; Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class III/IV). Severe uncontrolled arrhythmias (e.g., sick sinus syndrome, third-degree AV block); Unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction within 3 months prior. Pulmonary Complications; Pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, or suspected embolism during screening; Uncontrolled Hypertension/Hypotension; Systolic BP >160 mmHg or diastolic BP >100 mmHg; or systolic BP <90 mmHg or diastolic BP <60 mmHg; Active Autoimmune Diseases; Requiring immunosuppressants (e.g., uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus); Immunosuppressant Non-Compliance; Unwillingness or inability to use immunosuppressants per protocol; Laboratory Abnormalities (any of the following):; ALT/AST >2×ULN or total bilirubin >2×ULN. eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² (CKD-EPI 2021 formula). APTT/PT >2.5×ULN (without anticoagulants). Platelets <100×10⁹/L or hemoglobin <90 g/L. Allergy; History of severe allergies or hypersensitivity to trial drug/excipients (human albumin, lactated Ringer's solution); Infectious Diseases; HBsAg+ with HBV DNA >1000 IU/mL; HCV-Ab+; HIV-Ab+; or TP-Ab+. Lumbar Puncture Refusal; Unwillingness to undergo intrathecal administration procedures. Pregnancy/Lactation; Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Malignancy; Active malignancy or anticancer therapy within 5 years prior. Recent Clinical Trial Participation; Enrollment in another drug trial within 3 months prior. Investigator Discretion; Any condition deemed unsuitable for participation by the investigator.