Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health launched a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of treating osteoarthritis with stem cells across five joints, Sioux Falls Business reported Dec. 8.
The Endure trial will examine stem cell treatments for osteoarthritis in the wrist, knee, ankle, shoulder and hip. The study is regulated through the FDA, and stem cells are tested for quality before injection.
Sanford will collect data and patient-reported outcomes. This study is the first FDA-permitted trial that allows for stem cells in five joints, according to the report.
"It can be extremely challenging to conduct a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial on every indication in orthopedics," Tiffany Facile, director of Sanford Health’s clinical regenerative medicine program, said in the report. "We are offering this clinical trial for five orthopedic joints while following rigorous protocols and regulations to demonstrate to our patients and the stem cell industry that it is possible to provide safe access to tested therapies."