Recruiting

Testing donor cell therapy injected into the knee for osteoarthritis

Plain-English translation of NCT06690710 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2025 · 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.

This is one of the first times this treatment has been tested in people.

What is this trial?

This is the first human study of a new treatment called . Scientists have taken cells from donated gum tissue, modified them in the laboratory, and are now testing whether a single injection of these cells into an arthritic knee can be safe and help reduce pain. Animal studies have already shown promise, and this trial will see how well this treatment works in people.

Knee osteoarthritis causes chronic pain and disability, and current treatments (like steroid injections or pain medications) often provide only temporary relief. This medication is designed to potentially repair damaged knee cartilage and reduce inflammation, offering a longer-lasting solution that hasn't been tested in humans before.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 40 years old
you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the inner part of your knee joint, confirmed by both pain and X-ray findings
your knee X-rays show moderate osteoarthritis (Grade 2 or 3 on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale) with enough remaining joint space
you have a pain score of at least 3 on a 0–10 pain scale at screening
you are willing and able to give informed consent and commit to one year of follow-up visits

You likely don't qualify if…

you have very mild (Grade 0–1) or very severe (Grade 4) osteoarthritis in your target knee
you have severe knee misalignment (more than 10 degrees)
your osteoarthritis is due to another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, joint infection, previous trauma, or a genetic disorder
you are currently taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressant medications, or have received steroid or hyaluronic acid injections in your knee within the last 3 months
you have a history of cancer in the past 5 years, HIV, hepatitis B or C, or certain blood disorders

What participation looks like

You will come in for a screening visit to confirm you qualify, then receive a single ultrasound-guided injection of the modified cells into your knee. Over the following year, you'll have a phone call about one week after injection to check for side effects, then return to the hospital for follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During these visits, your doctors will examine your knee, review your pain and function, and take imaging scans (including MRI) to see how the treatment is working.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United Kingdom

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford), Oxford