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CompletedNCT04236739IMPACT2Updated Mar 27, 2026

Comparing Clinical Outcomes of the One-step Cartilage Transplantation in Cartilage Defects of the Knee With Conservative Treatment

A Phase 3 interventional study of Instant MSC Product accompanying Autologous Chondron Transplantation in Cartilage Damage, sponsored by R.J.H. Custers. Completed at 1 site in Netherlands. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-27.

Sponsored by R.J.H. Custers · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 5 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jul 2019, registered Jan 2020).
Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
60
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 45 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Articular cartilage defects in the knee have poor intrinsic healing capacity and may lead to functional disability and osteoarthritis. Cartilage cell therapy using autologous chondrocyte implantation has been established as the first advanced treatment therapy medicinal product. Although this technique has achieved good mid-term results, it is a costly and extensive two-stage procedure. 'Instant MSC Product accompanying Autologous Chondron Transplantation' (IMPACT) combines autologous recycled chondrons (chondrocytes surrounded by pericellular matrix) with MSCs for one-stage treatment of cartilage defects. IMPACT was successfully executed in a first-in-man phase I/II clinical trial in which 35 participants with cartilage defects were treated. The results showed a good safety profile, proper feasibility and good initial clinical efficacy at 18 months follow-up. Also good outcome at 24 and 36 months was shown in ongoing post study surveying of the participants. Consequently a new study with IMPACT was designed; IMPACT2. The objective of IMPACT2 is to compare clinical outcomes of 30 individual participants with cartilage defects treated with IMPACT to 30 participants treated with standard care for 9 months (consisting of optional physical therapy and pain medication). Participants should be aged 18-45 years with a symptomatic Modified Outerbridge Grade III or IV cartilage lesion of the knee ranging in size 2-8 cm\^2.

After enrolment, participants will be allocated (randomized) to either group A in which case they receive IMPACT-treatment, or group B that will receive standard care. Standard care consists of optional physical therapy and pain medication. After 9 months, participants in group B can receive the IMPACT-procedure as well.

Read the detailed description

IMPACT is designed as a one-stage cell-based regenerative therapy for isolated articular cartilage lesions. The investigational product consists of two cell types. Firstly, allogeneic MSCs, which are an "off-the-shelf" ATMP and also being used in a clinical trial for the treatment of steroid-resistant Graft versus Host Disease. Secondly, defect derived autologous chondrons that are reinserted into the defect in combination with MSCs within one procedure. During surgery, the autologous defect derived chondrons will be combined with allogeneic cryopreserved and thawed MSCs to enhance cartilage formation. Cells will be combined at a ratio of 10% chondrons and 90% MSCs and mixed in Tisseel® which will act as a cell carrier scaffold. In the phase I-II trial we showed no significant differences in clinical outcome between these dosages. Tisseel® is a registered widely used two-component adhesive containing fibrinogen and thrombin concentrate. When mixed, these components mimic the final steps of blood coagulation and form a stable physiological fibrin clot. The ATMP will be applied to the cartilage defect in a concentration of approximately 2 million cells per ml of fibrin glue, 0,5 to 0,7 ml per cm\^2 will be administered. The amount of MSCs and chondrons is thus dependant of the size of the lesion. The cells will be applied in a ratio of 10:90 autologous chondrons: allogeneic MSCs.

To evaluate the clinical status/ improvement of the participants treated with the IMPACT therapy, the included participants will be asked to complete the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scoring (KOOS) and the EuroQoL 5-Dimension Health Questionnaire (EQ5D) at baseline (before IMPACT therapy) and at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months follow-up.

To evaluate work leave and medical consumption a modified version iMTA Productivity cost questionnaire and iMTA Medical Consumption Questionnaire will be used.

A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed to evaluate the extent to which IMPACT therapy affects costs compared to current treatment techniques. The costs of the procedures that are performed (i.e. IMPACT or current practice), as well as the costs of the product that is used (materials, operation theatre etc.), and the duration of the accompanying hospitalization episode, will be determined using the UMC Utrecht administrative data and study budget. In addition, the results of the iMTA Medical Consumption Questionnaire and the iMTA Productivity cost questionnaire will be used to collect data on respectively resource use and productivity loss during the rehabilitation period. All resource use will be multiplied with cost prizes, which will be obtained from the Dutch Healthcare Authority or from the Dutch manual for performing health economic evaluations, to calculate total societal costs. These costs will be combined with the QoL outcome measures (as described previously), to obtain an estimate of the cost-effectiveness of IMPACT as compared to current practice.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cartilage Damage

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Keywords

  • Cartilage
  • Cartilage damage
  • Cell therapy
  • MSC
  • ATMP
  • Knee
  • IMPACT
  • ACI
  • Chondrons
03

In context

Tooth, Impacted

122 studies on the registry are indexed under Tooth, Impacted; 15 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 60 is below the median of 70 across 88 interventional studies indexed under Tooth, Impacted.

Browse Tooth, Impacted studies →

Lead sponsor

This is the only study on the registry with R.J.H. Custers as lead sponsor.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the study:

  • Provides written , is able to understand the content of the study, understands the requirements for follow-up visits and is willing to provide the required information at follow-up visits and in the questionnaires.
  • Symptomatic articular cartilage lesion of the knee (femoral condyles or trochlea).
  • Age >18 and \<45 years old

Inclusion criteria during surgery

  • Participants must meet the following secondary criteria to be eligible for the study:
  • Modified Outerbridge Grade III or IV isolated cartilage lesion of the knee.
  • A post-debridement size of the cartilage lesion > 2cm2 and ≤ 8 cm2
  • At least 50% of functional meniscus remaining. Meniscal repair or resection is allowed during the IMPACT surgery provided that the surgeon is able to confirm that at least 50% of functional meniscus remains.
  • Stable knee ligaments (i.e. anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Malalignment of >5 degrees
  • (History of) osteoarthritis, defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade >3 as determined from appropriate X-ray.
  • Concomitant inflammatory disease that affects the joint (rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic bone disease, psoriasis, gout, symptomatic chondrocalcinosis)
  • (History of) Septic arthritis.
  • (History of) Total meniscectomy in the target knee joint.
  • Any surgery in the knee joint 6 months prior to study inclusion.
  • Risk groups for MRI scanning due to the magnetic field like participants with pacemakers, nerve stimulators, metal particles, stents, clips or implants, (possible) pregnancy or breast feeding.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
60 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    IMPACT

    Application of a mixture of allogenic MSC's and autologous chondrons with a fibrin cell carrier (Tisseel®) during one surgical procedure.

    Drug: Instant MSC Product accompanying Autologous Chondron Transplantation

  • No intervention
    Control

    Optional physical therapy or pain medication, according to participants' desire for 9 months.

Interventions

  • DrugInstant MSC Product accompanying Autologous Chondron Transplantation

    Application of a mixture of allogenic MSC's and autologous chondrons with a fibrin cell carrier (Tisseel®) in the cartilage defect of the knee during one surgical procedure.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Clinical change on scale of 0-100

    KOOS-questionnaire (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, 100 indicating no symptoms and 0 indicating extreme symptoms)

    Time frame: At baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months

  2. Quality of life change on scale of 0-100

    EQ-5d-questionnaire (The EQ-5D-5L has 5 dimensions, each dimension has 5 levels: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems and extreme problems. The EQ VAS records the patient's self-rated health on a vertical visual analogue scale, where the endpoints are labelled 'The best health you can imagine' and 'The worst health you can imagine'. The VAS can be used as a quantitative measure of health outcome that reflect the patient's own judgement.)

    Time frame: At baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Structural change of the cartilage tissue

    MRI-scan

    Time frame: At baseline, 6 and 18 months

Other outcomes

  1. Change in healtcare use and costs

    iMTA-questionnaire (Medical Consumption and Productivity Cost Questionnaire)

    Time frame: At baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University Medical Center Utrecht
    Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
08

References and documents

Publications

  • de Windt TS, Vonk LA, Slaper-Cortenbach IC, van den Broek MP, Nizak R, van Rijen MH, de Weger RA, Dhert WJ, Saris DB. Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stimulate Cartilage Regeneration and Are Safe for Single-Stage Cartilage Repair in Humans upon Mixture with Recycled Autologous Chondrons. Stem Cells. 2017 Jan;35(1):256-264. doi: 10.1002/stem.2475. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PubMed 27507787 ↗
  • de Windt TS, Vonk LA, Slaper-Cortenbach ICM, Nizak R, van Rijen MHP, Saris DBF. Allogeneic MSCs and Recycled Autologous Chondrons Mixed in a One-Stage Cartilage Cell Transplantion: A First-in-Man Trial in 35 Patients. Stem Cells. 2017 Aug;35(8):1984-1993. doi: 10.1002/stem.2657. Epub 2017 Jun 23. PubMed 28600828 ↗
  • Korpershoek JV, Vonk LA, Kester EC, Creemers LB, de Windt TS, Kip MMA, Saris DBF, Custers RJH. Efficacy of one-stage cartilage repair using allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells and autologous chondron transplantation (IMPACT) compared to nonsurgical treatment for focal articular cartilage lesions of the knee: study protocol for a crossover randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2020 Oct 9;21(1):842. doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04771-8. PubMed 33036661 ↗
  • Saris TFF, de Windt TS, Kester EC, Vonk LA, Custers RJH, Saris DBF. Five-Year Outcome of 1-Stage Cell-Based Cartilage Repair Using Recycled Autologous Chondrons and Allogenic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A First-in-Human Clinical Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2021 Mar;49(4):941-947. doi: 10.1177/0363546520988069. Epub 2021 Feb 16. PubMed 33591794 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jul 2019 to primary completion in Sep 2025, 73 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jan 15, 2020
First posted
Jan 22, 2020
StartActual
Jul 23, 2019
Primary completionActual
Sep 3, 2025
CompletionActual
Sep 3, 2025
Last update
Mar 27, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 27, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04236739
Lead sponsor
R.J.H. Custers
Collaborators
ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Responsible party
R.J.H. Custers (Principal Investigator, UMC Utrecht) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jan 22, 2020
Start date
Jul 23, 2019
Primary completion
Sep 3, 2025
Completion
Sep 3, 2025
Last update
Mar 27, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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