Design and implementation of the START (STem cells for ARDS Treatment) trial, a phase 1/2 trial of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the treatment of moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Annals of intensive care Liu, K. D., Wilson, J. G., Zhuo, H., Caballero, L., McMillan, M. L., Fang, X., Cosgrove, K., Calfee, C. S., Lee, J., Kangelaris, K. N., Gotts, J. E., Rogers, A. J., Levitt, J. E., Wiener-Kronish, J. P., Delucchi, K. L., Leavitt, A. D., McKenna, D. H., Thompson, B. T., Matthay, M. A. 2014; 4: 22-?

Abstract

Despite advances in supportive care, moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality rates, and novel therapies to treat this condition are needed. Compelling pre-clinical data from mouse, rat, sheep and ex vivo perfused human lung models support the use of human mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSCs) as a novel intravenous therapy for the early treatment of ARDS.This article describes the study design and challenges encountered during the implementation and phase 1 component of the START (STem cells for ARDS Treatment) trial, a phase 1/2 trial of bone marrow-derived human MSCs for moderate-severe ARDS. A trial enrolling 69 subjects is planned (9 subjects in phase 1, 60 subjects in phase 2 treated with MSCs or placebo in a 2:1 ratio).This report describes study design features that are unique to a phase 1 trial in critically ill subjects and the specific challenges of implementation of a cell-based therapy trial in the ICU.Experience gained during the design and implementation of the START study will be useful to investigators planning future phase 1 clinical trials based in the ICU, as well as trials of cell-based therapy for other acute illnesses.NCT01775774 and NCT02097641.

View details for DOI 10.1186/s13613-014-0022-z

View details for PubMedID 25593740