A Phase 2 interventional study of Autologous Skin Fibroblasts and Placebo in Amputation, Skin Wound and Stem Cell, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-09.
Sponsored by Johns Hopkins University · Phase 2, Interventional, and Prevention
This study is a clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of volar fibroblast (skin cells from the palm or sole) injections for thickening the epidermal (skin) layer at the stump site in people with below the knee amputations. The study will enroll adults seen at Johns Hopkins.
This study is a clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of volar fibroblast (skin cells from the palm or sole) injections for thickening the epidermal (skin) layer at the stump site in people with below the knee amputations. The study will enroll adults seen at Johns Hopkins.
The investigators have demonstrated that injection of fibroblasts (from the palm or sole) is safe in healthy adults and potentially enhances palm or sole features in skin cells in areas other than the palm and sole. In a prior study, healthy adults injected with fibroblasts (from the palm or sole) experienced more firm skin at the injection site.
The objective of this study is to determine if fibroblast (from palm or sole) injections are safe and effective at increasing epidermal thickness and skin firmness at the stump site in below the knee amputees. Outcomes are assessed via questionnaires, non-invasive imaging devices, and non-invasive skin firmness measuring devices.
Injections will be targeted to the entire stump (unless determined otherwise by the PI and participant), including pressure intolerant areas of the skin that come into contact with the prosthetic socket, a region that is prone to skin irritation and breakdown, We will evaluate the most effective approach to administering this intervention via injections to the entire stump and the safety and effectiveness of whole stump injections and their effects on prosthesis use, skin breakdown, quality of life, and activity level.
The investigators hope that information from this study will help with problems like skin breakdown in patients with amputations and prosthetics. The skin at the stump was not meant to withstand the pressure and friction of prosthetics and this study is the first step in trying to convert stump skin to palm/sole-like skin.
Johns Hopkins University is the lead sponsor of 1,783 studies on the registry; 313 are open to participants now.
Of its 203 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 140 (69%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Patients interested in study participation must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
Females of childbearing potential must:
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients meeting any of the following criteria will be ineligible for study participation:
For whole stump participants: The investigators will be comparing whole stump injection sites that receive autologous skin fibroblasts to vehicle (placebo) injections. This subject receives autologous skin fibroblast whole stump injections. For localized injection participants: The investigators are comparing two injection sites in the same individual. This site receives autologous skin fibroblasts.
Biological: Autologous Skin Fibroblasts
For whole stump participants: The investigators will be comparing whole stump injection sites that receive autologous skin fibroblasts to vehicle (placebo) injections. This subject receives vehicle (placebo) whole stump injections. For localized injection participants: The investigators are comparing two injection sites in the same individual. This site receives a placebo.
Biological: Placebo
The site or whole stump will be injected with autologous fibroblasts
The site or whole stump will be injected medium only without autologous skin fibroblasts
Safety as assessed by number of hospitalizations
To determine the safety of the use of autologous volar fibroblasts to reprogram non-volar to volar-like epidermis with larger cytoplasmic area in human participants. The investigators will measure the numbers of hospitalizations which are related to the study. The occurrence of any study related hospitalization will be counted as one.
Time frame: 12 months
Change in amount of skin breakdown as assessed by ulceration measurement
Skin breakdown as assessed by ulceration measurement: The investigators will measure areas of skin breakdown on the terminal limb to see if the areas injected with volar fibroblasts have influenced skin healing. The unit of measurement is in millimeters. Pre and post cell-injection measurements will be compared.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month
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