Global clinical trials on stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases: trends and future directions

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease (CD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lead to progressive multi-organ damage due to immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. Current therapies lack efficacy and safety, often failing to sustain remission. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach for immune modulation and tissue repair. This study analyzes clinical trial trends and challenges of stem cell therapy in autoimmune diseases. Methods Clinical trial data (2006-2025) were extracted from Trialtrove. Strict inclusion criteria were applied, restricting the analysis to interventional trials while excluding observational studies, non-autoimmune disease trials, and records with incomplete information. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze trial phases, disease types, geographic distribution, funding sources, therapeutic mechanisms, and stem cell sources, followed by a comparative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, combination strategies, and safety profiles across autoimmune indications. Results Of the 1,511 global trials, 244 were included after screening and cross-referencing. Most trials (83.6%) were in Phase I-II. CD (n=85), SLE (n=36), and scleroderma (n=32) were the most studied. The U.S. and China led in trial numbers. Academic institutions funded 49.2% of trials. Key therapeutic strategies included immune modulation, tissue repair

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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