This Phase II clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of L2-01, a human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product, in patients with Crohn's Disease (CD). L2-01 consists of MSCs harvested from the patient's own adipose tissue or that of a first-degree relative, expanded in culture, and administered as a single intravenous infusion at a dose of 1 × 10\^6 cells per kilogram of body weight.
The study enrolls 120 adult subjects with non-active Crohn's Disease, defined by a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) of 200 or less. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either L2-01 or placebo (sterile normal saline). The initial 20 patients are enrolled in a staggered manner to closely monitor safety signals, followed by enrollment of an additional 100 subjects if no significant adverse drug reactions are observed.
Subjects undergo liposuction to collect approximately 25 ml of lipoaspirate from the lower abdomen or flanks under local anesthesia. The MSCs are isolated, expanded under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions, cryopreserved, and then thawed and prepared as a ready-to-infuse suspension prior to administration. Placebo infusions contain an identical volume of lactated Ringer's solution mixed with saline, maintaining blinding integrity.
The infusion is administered intravenously over approximately 30 minutes with close monitoring for adverse events, vital sign changes, and infusion reactions during and after the procedure. Safety assessments include monitoring treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), laboratory tests (including comprehensive metabolic panel, complete blood count, coagulation studies, and inflammatory markers), physical examinations, vital signs, and adverse event reporting per MedDRA coding.
Efficacy assessments focus on changes in systemic disease activity, inflammatory markers, imaging (pelvic MRI), and quality of life metrics (using the IBDQ-32 questionnaire). Follow-up visits occur at scheduled intervals up to 24 weeks post-infusion to assess both safety and therapeutic effects.
Quality assurance for the study includes routine source data verification by the Contract Research Organization (CRO) monitors, adherence to International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and oversight by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) composed of physicians and regulatory experts who review safety data in real time. Investigational product handling, storage, and accountability procedures are strictly controlled and documented.
Statistical analyses are primarily descriptive with 95% confidence intervals, focusing on safety endpoints in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. No formal interim analyses are planned; however, stopping rules are predefined for severe adverse events or safety concerns related to the investigational product or procedures. The study aims to provide clinically meaningful data to support further development of L2-01 as a novel immunomodulatory therapy for Crohn's Disease.
