For Patients & Families

Where to find a clinical trial

Our scientists are committed to turning discoveries in stem cell research into life-changing therapies for patients. Center researchers are involved in a number of clinical trials that are evaluating innovative therapeutic approaches that could change the way we treat cancer, blood and immune diseases, blinding eye diseases and other conditions.

As a research center, we don't maintain a database of clinical trials involving our more than 250 members. Here are resources to help those searching for clinical trials: 
 

• To find information about clinical trials at UCLA, including those led by our members, visit UCLA Health's clinical trial search tool or call the hotline at 855-731-6040.

• The U.S. National Institutes of Health provides a searchable registry of clinical trials around the world. While it’s a good source for finding trials, a listing on the site doesn’t guarantee a trial is legitimate. We encourage you to speak to your doctor to determine the legitimacy of a trial. 

• The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine offers a list of stem cell and gene therapy clinical trials that can be filtered by disease areas.

• The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy provides a searchable list of gene and cell therapy clinical trials.

Important considerations when looking for stem cell clinical trials

While the field has made significant advances recently, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approving the first cell-based gene therapies to treat patients with sickle cell disease, the majority of stem cell-based products that have been reviewed and approved by the FDA so far are bone marrow transplants and therapies for blood and immune system disorders. There are several active clinical trials evaluating stem cell treatments for a range of other conditions, but these are considered experimental until formal approval.

A number of unproven stem cell “treatments” are being marketed as miracle cures by rogue stem cell clinics. Without going through the rigorous clinical trial process that shows safety and efficacy, these “treatments” can cause both physical and financial harm.  

The International Society for Stem Cell Research offers excellent resources for patients seeking stem cell clinical treatments, including a list of questions to ask before considering an unproven stem cell treatment and tips on how to identify companies offering unproven therapies.