A Phase 2 interventional study of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) in Sjogren Syndrome, Xerostomia and Exosome, sponsored by Banu Erkal. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-24.
Sponsored by Banu Erkal · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will evaluate the effects of exosome and mesenchymal stem cell injections into the submandibular glands of adults with primary Sjögren syndrome and salivary gland dysfunction or dry mouth. A total of 30 participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: an exosome group, a mesenchymal stem cell group, or a placebo group. Both submandibular glands will receive two applications, with the second application performed 2 weeks after the first. Each gland will receive 0.5 mL of the assigned treatment at two injection sites. Exosomes will be derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells will also be derived from umbilical cord tissue. The placebo group will receive saline. Previous sialoscintigraphy results obtained at Yeditepe University as part of the diagnosis of primary Sjögren syndrome will be used as the baseline assessment. The Xerostomia Inventory will be administered at months 1 and 3, and sialoscintigraphy will be repeated at month 6 to evaluate changes in salivary gland function. Each participant will be followed for 6 months.
330 studies on the registry are indexed under Sjogren's Syndrome; 99 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 50 across 218 interventional studies indexed under Sjogren's Syndrome.
Browse Sjogren's Syndrome studies →This is the only study on the registry with Banu Erkal as lead sponsor.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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.
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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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive exosome injections into both submandibular glands. The exosome preparation is derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and contains 5 billion particles per 1 mL. Each submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Biological: exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Participants will receive mesenchymal stem cell injections into both submandibular glands. The mesenchymal stem cells are derived from umbilical cord tissue and produced by Yeditepe University at a concentration of 10 million MSCs per 1 mL. Each submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Biological: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)
Participants will receive serum physiologic (saline) injections into both submandibular glands. Each submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Other: Placebo
Exosomes derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The preparation is a cell-free extracellular vesicle product containing 5 billion particles per 1 mL. Each participant will receive 0.5 mL in each submandibular gland at two injection sites. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), produced by Yeditepe University, at a concentration of 10 million MSCs per 1 mL. Each bilateral submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Serum physiologic (saline). Each bilateral submandibular gland will receive 0.5 mL at two injection sites per application. Two applications will be performed, with the second application 2 weeks after the first.
Change in Salivary Flow Rate From Baseline to Month 6 Assessed by Sialoscintigraphy
Change in salivary flow rate, measured by salivary gland scintigraphy. Salivary flow rate will be expressed in mL/min. Baseline values obtained from the participants' existing sialoscintigraphy performed at Yeditepe University will be compared with the values obtained at Month 6.
Time frame: Baseline to Month 6
Change in Xerostomia Inventory Score
Change in xerostomia severity assessed using the 11-item Xerostomia Inventory XI. Total scores range from 11 to 55, with higher scores indicating greater severity of xerostomia. The questionnaire will be administered at Month 1 and Month 3.
Time frame: 3 months
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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