RecruitingNot Applicable

Study on the Treatment of Anal Fistulas Using Alofisel Versus Fat Autologous Stem Cells

France20 participantsStarted 2024-01-02

Plain-language summary

One of the newest and most innovative medicinal approaches is cell therapy. Several clinical trials and experimental investigations have looked into the feasibility of treating CD-related fistulas with stem cells. The current indication for ALOFISEL® (active ingredient: Darvadstrocel) is the treatment of difficult perianal Crohn's fistulas that have not responded well to at least one conventional therapy or biotherapy. This brand-new cell therapy medication is created using amplified allogeneic human adult mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (ADSC). The supplier mandates that two patients be booked for a single dose of ALOFISEL® due to the medication's expensive price-roughly €54,000 for a single dose of 120 million-which cannot be stored once thawed. Only one of the two patients receives therapy; the other serves as the backup patient. By doing this, another "back-up" patient who might receive no care at all is avoided. An developing alternate approach to allogeneic ADSC injection for the treatment of complicated anal fistulas in CD is autologous fat injection. In recent years, autologous fat grafts have been the subject of in-depth research. They are popular because it is simple to get clinical samples (lipoaspirate, adipose tissue), and because there are a lot of ADSCs in adipose tissue. Additionally, ADSCs show strong immunomodulatory and regenerative capacities. We would wish to compare the effectiveness of these two injection kinds on perianal fistulas as part of our care of CD.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Complex anal fistula with the following criteria: - Inactive/slightly active luminal Crohn's disease under conventional treatment or biotherapy MRI has demonstrated effective drainage. Maximum of two internal orifices and three external orifices; persists despite internal orifice(s) closing. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breast-feeding women * Patients hypersensitive to the product, bovine serum or any of the excipients of Alofisel * Vulnerable persons: deprived of liberty, under guardianship, under curatorship, etc.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Comparing the efficacy of Alofisel treatment versus fat grafting in Crohn's disease complex perianal fistulae

Timeframe: 1 month after the surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05974280

SponsorNantes University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-01-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Crohn Disease trials