Adjunctive Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment-resistant Bipolar Depression

Q: What is the NCT03522545 clinical trial studying?

The overall objective of the investigators is to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) isolated from hematogenous bone marrow for treatment of treatment-resistant bipolar depression patient (TRBD). The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Q: Who can participate in NCT03522545?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

Q: How do I contact the trial site for NCT03522545?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Q: Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Q: Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

Adjunctive Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment-resistant Bipolar Depression (NCT03522545) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Treatment-resistant Bipolar Depression, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

About This Trial

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Treatment-resistant Bipolar Depression, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 30 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Diagnosis of DSM-IV-TR of Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder as verified by the semi-structured diagnostic interviews SCID. The diagnosis may be supported by information from significant others, and from hospital records. 2. Age: 18-65 years 3. Severity: meet DSM-IV-TR criteria of depressive episode and MADRS of 25 or above 4. Treatment resistance: None response to two trials (during lifetime) with mood stabilizers with proven efficacy in bipolar depression (lithium, lamotrigine, quetiapine, olanzapine) and/or antidepressants. a A trial is defined as at least 6 weeks in adequate or tolerated dose as reported by the patient, or patients that have been unable to comply with 6 weeks trials of mood stabilizer or an antidepressant. b None response: Less than 50% reduction in MADRS values or still meet DSM-IV-TR criteria of depressive episode 5. CRP concentration greater than 5 mg/L 6. Female subjects whom are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and not planning on becoming pregnant during the study. Female patients of childbearing potential must be using a reliable method of contraception. 7. Patient competent to give willing to sign a consent form according to the judgment of the clinician 8. Written willing to sign a consent form 9. Patient sufficiently fluent in English language to ensure valid responses to psychometric testing (needed for validated neurocognitive outcomes testing) Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. MSCs transplant within the last six months 2. Inability to comply with study protocol 3. Patient at high suicidal risk according to clinicians' judgement ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosis of DSM-IV-TR of Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder as verified by the semi-structured diagnostic interviews SCID. The diagnosis may be supported by information from significant others, and from hospital records. 2. Age: 18-65 years 3. Severity: meet DSM-IV-TR criteria of depressive episode and MADRS of 25 or above 4. Treatment resistance: None response to two trials (during lifetime) with mood stabilizers with proven efficacy in bipolar depression (lithium, lamotrigine, quetiapine, olanzapine) and/or antidepressants. a A trial is defined as at least 6 weeks in adequate or tolerated dose as reported by the patient, or patients that have been unable to comply with 6 weeks trials of mood stabilizer or an antidepressant. b None response: Less than 50% reduction in MADRS values or still meet DSM-IV-TR criteria of depressive episode 5. CRP concentration greater than 5 mg/L 6. Female subjects whom are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and not planning on becoming pregnant during the study. Female patients of childbearing potential must be using a reliable method of contraception. 7. Patient competent to give informed consent according to the judgment of the clinician 8. Written informed consent 9. Patient sufficiently fluent in English language to ensure valid responses to psychometric testing (needed for validated neurocognitive outcomes testing) Exclusion criteria: 1. MSCs transplant within the last six months 2. Inability to comply with study protocol 3. Patient at high suicidal risk according to clinicians' judgement 4. History of previous brain injury; neurologic impairment and/or deficit; seizure disorder requiring anti-convulsant therapy; renal disease or altered renal function as defined by serum creatinine 2x ULN at admission; hepatic disease or altered liver function as defined by SGPT \> 2 x ULN (non-contusion related), and/or T. Bilirubin 1.5 x ULN at admission; immunosuppression as defined by WBC\<3,000 cells/ml at admission; HIV, splenectomy or cancer 5. Unstable serious medical conditions, including clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities. Conditions that affect neuropsychological assessment such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple sclerosis, stroke, alcohol and substance abuse or dependence (according to SCID or DSM-IV-TR). Other serious medical illness that is not adequately controlled and, in the investigator's opinion, would not permit the subject to be managed according to the protocol. 6. Hemodynamic instability at the time of MSCs infusion. 7. Positive pregnancy test (at screening or baseline visits).

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs)

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) isolated from hematogenous bone marrow

BIOLOGICAL

Placebo

Placebo for Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs)

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT03522545), the sponsor (The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT03522545 clinical trial studying?

The overall objective of the investigators is to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) isolated from hematogenous bone marrow for treatment of treatment-resistant bipolar depression patient (TRBD). The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT03522545?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT03522545?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT03522545. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT03522545. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.