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Taste Bud-Derived Stem Cells in Humans
NCT03366168 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Background: Stem cells are found in body tissues. They can regenerate into more of the same cells or become other types of cell. Researchers want to use stem cells from taste buds to try to make cells that secrete insulin. Taste buds are found mostly on the tip and sides of the tongue. Researchers also want to study if the number of taste buds and stem cells decrease as people age. They will remove small pieces of tongue tissue (about the size of a pen tip). The taste buds will grow back. It is hoped that studying taste bud stem cells can lead to new diabetes treatments. Objectives: To see if stem cells from taste buds can be isolated in humans. Eligibility: Healthy adults at least 18 years old Design: Participants will be screened with: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and urine tests * Tongue photograph and mouth inspection. Food coloring will be applied to the tongue. Participants will have 1 study visit. They will not eat or drink anything 8 hours before. * They will give blood and urine samples. * They will have a tongue biopsy. Vital signs will be checked. The inside of the mouth will be examined. The tongue may be cleaned. The tongue will be numbed. Five small pieces of tissue will be taken with a small scissor. Any bleeding will be blotted with cotton and should stop in minutes. * Participants will be monitored for about 30 minutes. They will get a snack or meal. * They will be told how to take care of the tongue for the rest of the day. Participants will be called a week later to see how the
Conditions Studied
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit — Baltimore
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 250 participants |
| Start Date | 2017-12-18 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12-31 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03366168
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03366168 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 250 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute on Aging (NIA), which has 127 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Diabetes appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 0 interventions. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03366168 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03366168 about?
NCT03366168 is a clinical study titled "Taste Bud-Derived Stem Cells in Humans". Background: Stem cells are found in body tissues. They can regenerate into more of the same cells or become other types of cell. Researchers want to use stem cells from taste buds to try to make cells that secrete insulin. Taste buds are found mostly on the tip and sides of the tongue. Researchers ...
What is the current status of trial NCT03366168?
This trial is currently recruiting. The enrollment target is 250 participants. The study started on 2017-12-18. Estimated completion is 2026-12-31.
What conditions does trial NCT03366168 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Diabetes. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03366168?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute on Aging (NIA), which has 127 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03366168 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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