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Intra-Testicular Transplantation of Autologous Stem Cells for Treatment of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Male Infertility.

Primary Purpose

Non-obstructive Azoospermia

Status
Unknown status
Phase
Phase 1
Locations
Jordan
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Stem Cell Transplantation
Sponsored by
Stem Cells Arabia
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Non-obstructive Azoospermia

Eligibility Criteria

21 Years - 50 Years (Adult)MaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Infertile males with confirmed diagnosis of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with Obstructive Azoospermia (OA)
  • Previous surgical history in Testis
  • Patients with infectious genital diseases
  • Patients with anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract
  • Patients with major medical problems as malignancies
  • Chromosomal aberration (e.g. Y microdeletion, trisomy….)

Sites / Locations

  • Stem Cells of ArabiaRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Other

Arm Label

Stem Cell Transplantation

Arm Description

intervention with transplantation of autologous purified stem cells

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Appearance of different germ cells in testicles through the progress of spermatogenesis will be assessed by the count of cells using histological studies.

Secondary Outcome Measures

General improvements of testicular morphology will be assessed with histological studies.
Improvement in sexual function will be assessed using a questionnaire

Full Information

First Posted
December 7, 2015
Last Updated
March 15, 2020
Sponsor
Stem Cells Arabia
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT02641769
Brief Title
Intra-Testicular Transplantation of Autologous Stem Cells for Treatment of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Male Infertility.
Official Title
Intra-Testicular Transplantation of Purified Autologous Clusters of Differentiation (CD) 34+,133+, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Male Infertility.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
March 2020
Overall Recruitment Status
Unknown status
Study Start Date
January 2014 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
June 2020 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
January 2021 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Stem Cells Arabia

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This is an open label, single arm, single center investigation to assess the safety and efficacy of purified adult autologous bone marrow derived CD34+, CD133+, and mesenchymal stem cells injected into the seminiferous tubules and testis, through a 12 week follow-up period. The investigators' selected model of research is based on maximizing the efficiency of the approach by choosing an autologous pattern which preserves the genetic make-up of an individual that is vital in infertility conditions. Additionally the approach involves injecting a combination of different but purified cell types which all aid in the retrieval of spermatogenesis, and the generation of mature spermatozoa. Expected outcomes of this study are defined in general improvements in infertile patients in regards of testicular morphology, sexual function, semen quality, development of primary or secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, or mature spermatozoa in the testis, seminiferous tubules, or semen.
Detailed Description
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is generally considered a non-medically manageable cause of male infertility. These patients, who constitute up to 10% of all infertile men, have abnormal spermatogenesis as the cause of their azoospermia. The etiology affecting approximately 60% of azoospermic men, includes non-obstructive causes of azoospermia, including toxic exposures or abnormal testicular development. NOA results from either primary testicular failure (elevated Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), small testes affecting up to 10% of men presenting with infertility), secondary testicular failure (congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with decreased LH and FSH, small testes), or incomplete or ambiguous testicular failure (either increased FSH and normal volume testes, normal FSH and small testes, or normal FSH and normal testis volume). Prior to microsurgical testicular sperm retrieval techniques and IVF/ICSI, donor insemination was the only option available to men with NOA. The establishment of in vitro fertilization using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a standard treatment modality has resulted in a number of these men successfully fathering a child through surgically retrieved sperm from the testis. The challenge, however, is to improve their spermatogenic function to enable the appearance of sperm in their ejaculate or to improve the chances of a successful retrieval from the testis for ICSI. The initial evaluation aims at resolving the following issues: (1) confirming azoospermia, (2) differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive etiology, (3) assessing for the presence of reversible factors and (4) evaluating for the presence of genetic abnormalities. An elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level or an absence of normal spermatogenesis by testicular histology in the presence of azoospermia is generally considered sufficient evidence of a non-obstructive etiology. The most common reversible factors that need to be ruled out include recent exogenous hormone administration, severe febrile illnesses, chemotherapy/radiation or prolonged antibiotic use. During past few years a considerable progress in the derivation of male germ cells from pluripotent stem cells has been made. These studies provide a desirable experimental model for elucidating underlying molecular mechanism of male germ cell development and potential strategies for producing haploid germ cells for the treatment of male infertility. Spermatogenesis is a complex process by which spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) self-renew and differentiate into haploid spermatozoa. In mammals, this process takes place in the seminiferous tubules of testis, which provide a functional niche for male germ cells and involve three major stages: mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. Errors at any stage of spermatogenesis can result in subfertility and infertility. Researchers are currently developing alternative treatment options for these men involving stem cells. It has been verified that mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can form functional spermatozoa. Functional assays have shown that spermatozoa generated from iPSCs were capable of fertilizing the oocytes after intracytoplasmatic injection and giving rise to fertile offspring following embryo transfer. So far, functional male gametes from human iPSCs have not been obtained. There are two possible approaches in generating of male germ cells from pluripotent stem cells: in vitro differentiation into advanced, haploid cell products or combined in vitro differentiation and in vivo transplantation. However, the originality of this study is illustrated in the transplantation of purified autologous CD34+/CD133+ and mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) into infertile patients without in vitro breeding, culture, or manipulation thus avoiding in vitro cell propagation risks as genetic mutations and DNA changes. The cells are withdrawn and injected back into the patient on the very same day of the procedure, hence conferring the highest safety and efficacy parameters.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Non-obstructive Azoospermia

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 1, Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
50 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Stem Cell Transplantation
Arm Type
Other
Arm Description
intervention with transplantation of autologous purified stem cells
Intervention Type
Biological
Intervention Name(s)
Stem Cell Transplantation
Intervention Description
intervention with transplantation of autologous purified stem cells
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Appearance of different germ cells in testicles through the progress of spermatogenesis will be assessed by the count of cells using histological studies.
Time Frame
12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
General improvements of testicular morphology will be assessed with histological studies.
Time Frame
12 months
Title
Improvement in sexual function will be assessed using a questionnaire
Time Frame
12 months

10. Eligibility

Sex
Male
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
21 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
50 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Infertile males with confirmed diagnosis of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) Exclusion Criteria: Patients with Obstructive Azoospermia (OA) Previous surgical history in Testis Patients with infectious genital diseases Patients with anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract Patients with major medical problems as malignancies Chromosomal aberration (e.g. Y microdeletion, trisomy….)
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Adeeb AlZoubi, PhD
Phone
00962795337575
Email
adeebalzoubi@stemcellsarabia.net
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Adeeb AlZoubi, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
Stem Cells of Arabia
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Stem Cells of Arabia
City
Amman
ZIP/Postal Code
11953
Country
Jordan
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Adeeb AlZoubi, PhD
Phone
00962795337575
Email
adeebalzoubi@stemcellsarabia.net

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Undecided

Learn more about this trial

Intra-Testicular Transplantation of Autologous Stem Cells for Treatment of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Male Infertility.

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