Clinical Trials

The overriding objective of AFIRM is to quickly bring new treatments to wounded warriors. As they are developed, new technologies are evaluated in small groups of patients under direction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The goal of these studies is to translate research from the laboratory to the bedside.

Several studies are already underway and others are expected to begin during the next year.

Biologic Scaffold to Regenerate Muscle

The University of Pittsburgh and Institute for Surgical Research (ISR) at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. are evaluating an “off the shelf” biologic scaffold material to replace the missing soft tissue. The goal is to recruit stem cells to the injury site to restore tissue function. The project will evaluate the treatment in 15 patients.
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Enrollment Information: Participants are being enrolled from among patients at Fort Sam Houston.

Hand Transplants

Based on groundbreaking research and experience in solid-organ transplants, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has begun a novel clinical study on human hand transplantation that seeks to reduce the use of immunosuppressive drugs and their damaging side effects for patients.
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For enrollment information: Call 412-648-9207 or click here.

New Technology for Burn Treatment

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is leading this 10-center trial to test a new technology for treating burn patients. Healthy skin cells are harvested from the patients in the operating room and multiplied. These cells are placed in a suspension so they can be sprayed onto the burn – able to cover an area 80 times the size of the biopsy. The cells multiply and create new skin tissue.
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Enrollment Information: Participants are being enrolled from among burn patients at participating centers.

Preventing Scar Formation

A pilot study is underway of a Stanford University technology that uses a pressure-sensitive adhesives applied to incision wounds to prevent the mechanical stresses that can lead to scarring. Second-generation devices will be developed for specific body regions.