The MANUS Trial is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and digital ischemia with intractable ischemic digital ulcers refractory to conventional treatments are eligible to participate.~20 participants will be randomised (1:1) to undergo intramuscular injection (8 sites) of allogeneic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) (45-50*10^6) or placebo in the most affected limb.~Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is the toxicity of the treatment at 12 weeks after MSC administration, defined as~Local toxicity, including signs of local inflammation (swelling, warmth, impairment of function), worsening of ulcers or new ulcers or hematomas after MSC administration~Other adverse events, graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0, expressed as maximum grade toxicity per organ system.~Secondary outcome measures are: number of serious adverse events, pain and disability parameters; healing, time to healing and reduction of new ischemic digital ulcers; modified Rodnan skin score; Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (S-HAQ) including visual analogue scales (VAS) for scleroderma-specific symptoms; Quality-of-life (SF-36, EuroQol (EQ-5D); Cochin hand function score. We will also evaluate changes in capillary morphology and architecture using capillaroscopy; biochemical parameters; markers for endothelial activation and injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, circulating cells including endothelial cells, hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells, cytokines and growth factors, immunological responses. Follow-up visits will be scheduled at 48 hours and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 52 weeks post-treatment.
The MANUS Trial aims to examine the safety, feasibility and potential efficacy of intramuscularly injected allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells as treatment for digital ulcers of systemic sclerosis.