Recruiting

Testing Stem Cells to Treat Severe Dry Mouth

Plain-English translation of NCT06392711 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated February 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)—a type of stem cell—as a treatment for severe dry mouth that happens because of autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's disease or as a side effect of cancer treatments. Researchers will inject these cells directly into your salivary glands to see if the medication can help restore moisture to your mouth and whether it is safe to use.

Severe dry mouth can seriously impact quality of life, making it hard to eat, speak, and sleep. Current treatments are limited, so this trial is exploring whether stem cell therapy could offer patients a new option to help their salivary glands work again.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with severe dry mouth (producing less than 1.2 milliliters of saliva in 5 minutes) that is not caused by radiation therapy
you are between 18 and 90 years of age
you have both submandibular salivary glands (the glands under your jaw on both sides)
you are healthy enough for a bone marrow aspiration procedure under local anesthesia
your blood counts are within acceptable ranges, including adequate hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells

You likely don't qualify if…

you have only one submandibular salivary gland
you have kidney stones or other blockages in your salivary glands
you have poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c of 7% or higher)
you have had cancer within the past 2 years (with limited exceptions)
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study

What participation looks like

You will first undergo screening tests to confirm you qualify, including blood work and salivary flow measurements. Then you'll have a bone marrow aspiration, a procedure where doctors take a small sample of bone marrow to extract the stem cells. Finally, you'll receive injections of the stem cells directly into one or both of your salivary glands under local anesthesia. You'll return for follow-up visits so researchers can monitor your safety and measure whether your dry mouth improves.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin