Sanford opens groundbreaking stem cell trial for osteoarthritis

Dec. 8, 2021

Sanford Health has launched a historic clinical trial, looking at the effectiveness of treating osteoarthritis across five joints with stem cells.

The ENDURE trial is a first-of-its-kind study, Sanford said. Adults with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the wrist, knee, ankle, shoulder or hip are eligible to participate in the clinical trial. The study is regulated through the Food and Drug Administration, and the cells are tested for quality and safety before injection, Sanford said.

The patient’s adipose-derived stem cells are used in the treatment, which Sanford has been researching for years, dating back to a relationship it established with a hospital in Germany.

“Sanford Health and our talented team of researchers have worked diligently to find a way to help heal our patients with joint pain,” said David Pearce, president of Sanford Research, Innovation and World Clinic. “These patients aren’t able to do the kinds of everyday activities they love, whether it’s playing catch with their kids, golfing or going for a bike ride. We want to help them get back to enjoying what matters most to them and cherishing every moment without pain interrupting their life.”

Retired NFL quarterback Neil Graff participated in a Sanford clinical trial this summer for his shoulder.

“I’ve probably thrown 1 million passes in my career. It (shoulder) affected my sleep, my exercise regimen and my quality of life,” he said. “When you’re prohibited from doing the things you enjoy, it’s challenging.”

Graff had the stem cell treatment for a partial tear in his rotator cuff.

“It’s just a shot. They extracted the stem cells from my own body, from my stomach, and they inject the stem cells into my shoulder. So my stem cells were regenerating and healing my shoulder,” he said. “I’m now able to do the things I love, like golfing, lifting weights and day-to-day activities. I think it’s a great alternative to surgery. It’s a win-win situation.”

During the expanded ENDURE trial, Sanford will collect data and patient-reported outcomes.

“It can be extremely challenging to conduct a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial on every indication in orthopedics,” said Tiffany Facile, director of Sanford Health’s clinical regenerative medicine program. “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.”

This is the first FDA-permitted trial that allows for stem cell treatment in five joints.

“We are at a tipping point in medicine when it comes to using our own bodies to heal ourselves,” Pearce said. “Through this study, we are changing the way patients view pain and treatment options.”

The study is open at Sanford in Sioux Falls. For information about the ENDURE trial, call (605) 328-3700.

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Sanford opens groundbreaking stem cell trial for osteoarthritis

Sanford Health has launched a historic clinical trial, looking at the effectiveness of treating osteoarthritis across five joints with stem cells.

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