---
title: Improve walking and reduce stiffness
nct_id: NCT07572071
phase: PHASE1
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Royan Institute
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07572071"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07572071"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:08:42.016Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Improve walking and reduce stiffness

**Goal (in five words):** Improve walking and reduce stiffness

**Official Title:** Evaluation of the Safety and Feasibility of a Single Transplantation of 10 Million Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Progenitor Cells Into the Bilateral Striatum of Patients With Moderately Severe Parkinson's Disease: a Multicenter, Open-label, Single-arm Phase I Clinical Trial

**Trial ID:** [NCT07572071](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07572071)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** PHASE1
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Royan Institute
- **Target Enrollment:** 10 participants
- **Start Date:** 2025-08-01
- **Completion Date:** 2028-08-01
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease (PD)
- **Interventions:** Dopacell, Immunosuppressive Regimen, Customized microinjection device
- **Intervention Types:** BIOLOGICAL, DRUG, DEVICE

## Summary For Families

Aiming to restore dopamine signaling in the striatum to improve motor function and test safety and feasibility in moderately severe Parkinson's, the trial evaluates a single transplant of embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors. The team will inject 10 million progenitor cells into both sides of the striatum with a customized microinjection device; the cells are intended to mature into dopamine-producing neurons that release dopamine and may smooth movements and potentially reduce dependence on levodopa, and participants will receive an immunosuppressive regimen (tacrolimus, prednisolone, basiliximab) to prevent rejection. Ideal participants are 30 to 70 years old, have had PD for more than 5 years, show a clear clinical response to levodopa, have moderate disease (Hoehn and Yahr 2 or 3 OFF) with only minimal dyskinesia, and have no major immune problems, brain lesions, active infections, dementia, prior DBS or other conflicting treatments. This is an open-label Phase 1 feasibility study enrolling about 10 people.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 30 Years
- **Maximum age:** 70 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: 30-70 years
* Diagnosis of PD: MDS clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Parkinson's disease
* The disease duration more than 5 years
* Moderate Parkinson's disease, defined as a Hoehn and Yahr stage of 2 or 3 during the OFF period.
* The patient is receiving oral pharmacological therapy, and in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, the patient's symptoms remain inadequately controlled despite optimal medical management, or the patient is experiencing adverse effects related to their current treatment
* No history or only mild levodopa-induced dyskinesia, defined as a score of 2 or less on the UDysRS scale in any body region during the ON state.
* The patient demonstrates a clinically meaningful response to a therapeutic dose of levodopa, as determined by the Principal Clinical Investigator or a trained specialist under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.
* The performance of different organs based on laboratory evaluations:

  * Number of neutrophils ≥2000 / microliter
  * Platelet count ≥100,000 / microliter
  * AST / ALT: less than or equal to three times the maximum normal value at the intervention site
  * Total bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 times the maximum normal amount at the intervention site
  * eGFR \* rate: greater than or equal to 60 ml / min / 1.73 m2 \* eGFR (mL / min / 1.73 m2) = 194 X Cr \^ -1.094 X age \^ -0.287 (X 0.739 for females)
* Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* The abnormal function of immune system
* The symptomatic brain injuries (brain atrophy, cerebral Infarct, trauma, vascular malformation) confirmed by brain MRI
* Markedly reduced or normal signal in the ventral striatum on TRO-DaT SPECT imaging.
* Any abnormal findings on brain MRI.
* Positive GBA mutation test.
* Diagnosis of dementia based on a MoCA score \< 24.
* The abnormality of thrombotic system or high risk of bleeding
* Positive for any of the following viral markers or active infections: HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, anti-HIV antibodies, anti-HTLV-1\&2 antibodies, active hepatitis C infection, syphilis, or active CMV, VZV, EBV, or COVID-19 infection.
* Impossibility of MRI imaging for patients with metal in the body, pacemaker in the body, claustrophobia, with artificial heart valves that are incompatible with MRI or body weight is not within the tolerable range for MRI.
* Patients with contraindications to the study drug: Tacrolimus, Prednisolone, Basiliximab, Cotrimoxazole, MRI contrast agent.
* Patients undergoing other cell transplants, including embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitor cells.
* Patients with a history of PD at the same time and concurrent: Malignant neoplasm, epilepsy, cerebral hemorrhage or a positive history
* Psychiatric disorders confirmed by a psychiatrist, including major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, that are uncontrolled or treatment resistant.
* Patients with intellectual disability who, in the judgment of a psychiatrist, are unable to fully comprehend the study requirements.
* History of pallidotomy, thalamotomy, or deep brain stimulation (DBS).
* Patients considered high-risk candidates for surgery, particularly neurosurgery or DBS implantation, due to significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, or other systemic comorbidities identified during preoperative evaluation.
* Patients who have a history of taking the following in the three months prior to enrollment: Immunosuppressant, antipsychotic drug, anticonvulsant drugs or anticoagulant therapy (if discontinuation or perioperative adjustment is not feasible), botulinum toxin (within 6 months), phenol injections, or other treatments for dystonia or muscle spasm
* History of Apomorphine use
* History of chronic alcohol use or illicit drug abuse.
* Patients who are pregnant, lactating, or people who did not avoid pregnancy during the study.
* Patients who, according to the researchers' opinions, are not suitable for safe study.
```

## Locations (1)

- Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran _(35.6944, 51.4215)_
  - Sarvenaz Salahi, PhD — (CONTACT) — 021-2356200 — salahi13639@gmail.com

## Central Contacts

- Sarvenaz Salahi, MD — (CONTACT) — 021-23562000 — salahi13639@gmail.com

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07572071*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07572071*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07572071*