Treatment of faecal incontinence using allogeneic-adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Faecal incontinence is a distressing condition with recurrent uncontrolled passage of faecal material. Although faecal incontinence may cause psychological depression and social isolation, previous treatments have been limited. Recently, regenerative treatment has been developed using mesenchymal stem cells. Especially, there are possibilities that adipose-tissue-derived stem cells can be effective to treat a degenerated anal sphincter that is causing faecal incontinence. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of using allogeneic-adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of the anal sphincter of patients with faecal incontinence. Methods and analysis: This study is a randomised, prospective, dose escalation, placebo-controlled, single-blinded, single-centre trial with two parallel groups. The safety test is performed by an injection of allogeneic-adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ALLO-ASCs) into the anal sphincter with dose escalation (3x10(7), 6x10(7) and 9x10(7) cells, sequentially). After confirming the safety of the stem cells, an efficacy test is performed by this dose in the experimental group. The experimental group will receive ALLO-ASCs mixed with fibrin glue into the anal sphincter, and the placebo group will receive 0.9% normal saline injection mixed with fibrin glue. The primary end point is to assess the safety of ALLO-ASCs after the injection into the anal sphincter, and the secondary end point is to compare the efficacy of ALLO-ASC injection with fibrin glue in patients with faecal incontinence. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Health & Welfare, in the Republic of Korea. The informed consent form was approved by the institutional review board of Gangnam Severance Hospital (IRB approval number 3-2014-0271). Dissemination of the results will be presented at a conference and in peer-reviewed publications.