FrailtyPhase 1/2NCT03458429
Safety, Efficacy of FFP From Healthy Donors to Ameliorate Frailty and Enhance Immune Function in Older Individuals
A Phase 1/2 study testing GMFFP in people with Frailty, run by Dipnarine Maharaj at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
1. Primary Objective To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will then have a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 55 to 95 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Frailty
- What is being tested?
- GMFFP
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 5 Feb 2018to 30 Dec 2030
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 55 to 95 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Provide written informed consent.
- Be aged between 55-95 years.
- Show signs of frailty apart from a concomitant condition as assessed by the Investigator with a score of 4-7 on the Clinical Frailty Scale (Appendix 1) and/or Have an abnormal Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
- Not be pregnant or nursing while participating in this trial. Both men and women of reproductive potential must agree to use an effective means of birth control while participating in the trial. Women of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test before treatment, if not surgically sterile.
- Have a negative neutrophil antibody test.
- Have a negative Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I and II antibody test.
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- Have Cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative or positive sero-testing completed.
- Have a life expectancy of at least 24 months as judged by the PI at the time of consent.
- Have less than 4 weeks since prior medical therapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery
- Have adequate organ function including:
- Hemoglobin greater than 10.0 g/dl Absolute neutrophils must be greater than 1,500/Microliter(uL) Platelet count must be greater than100,000/uL Serum bilirubin must be less than 2mg/dL Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) must be less than 90 units/L Alanine Transaminase (ALT) must be less than 105 units/L Serum creatinine must be less than 2mg/dL
Who cannot join
- Have a score of less than 4 or greater than 7 on the Clinical Frailty Scale or Have a score of less than 4 and a No Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
- Have used anti-inflammatory medications within 7 days of study treatment,treated subjects may be re-screened after 14 days
- Abnormal clinical values including but not limited to:
- Platelet count less than 100,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophils less than 1500/uL Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, or alkaline phosphatase Greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Serum bilirubin greater than 2 mg/dL
- Be an organ transplant recipient or have an active listing (or expected future listing) for transplant of any organ.
- Have a documented intolerance to plasma or its components, or prior intolerance to intravenous fluids.
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- Have known serum antibodies to plasma proteins, such as haptoglobin, Complement Component (C3/C4), or alpha-1-antitrypsin.
- Previous plasma transfusion within 30 days of signing informed consent.
- Serious comorbid illness including, but not limited to:
- HIV or hepatitis Congenital deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA) Pulmonary edema Advanced liver or renal failure Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, Significant and/or symptomatic cardiovascular disease (e.g. any history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia) Active serious infection. Hemorrhagic cystitis Cardiac revascularization within last six months Severe obstructive ventilatory defect Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine greater than 177 mol/L or creatinine clearance less than 20 mL/min) Sickle cell disease or hemoglobinopathy Cancer Any other condition that the investigator believes may compromise the safety or compliance of the patient or the study evaluation.
- No vascular access
- Pregnant or nursing female
- Recent ( less than 24 months) history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Current participation in an investigational therapeutic or medical device trial
- Treatment with any human blood product, including intravenous immunoglobulin, during the 6 months prior to screening or during the trial.
- Recent use (within 30 days) of immunosuppressive agents
- Inability to perform any assessments or relevant procedures required for the study or to give informed consent
- Although not considered a part of the formal eligibility criteria, the treating physicians will evaluate additional factors that may increase subject risk, including but not limited to:
- The presence of serious illnesses that would limit survival to less than two years.
- The presence of psychiatric conditions that would prevent compliance with study visits or impact informed consent.
- The presence of uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, age-related or other serious medical conditions, or infection, which, in the opinion of the treating physician, would make study participation unreasonably hazardous.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute DBA Maharaj Institute of Immune Regenerative Medicine
Boynton Beach, Florida, 33437
About this study
Official title: Safety and Efficacy of GMFFP From Young Healthy Donors (18-35), Treated With G-CSF to Ameliorate Frailty and Enhance the Immune Risk Profile in Older Individuals
- Primary Objective To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will then have a subsequent 12-month follow-up period.
- Secondary Objective
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve the Immune Risk Profile, ("IRP"), cognitive function (MME), quality of life (OPQOL-35), Frailty Index ("FI"), associated with unhealthy aging in the treated subjects.
Read the detailed description
There have been recent reports in medical literature about the discovery that young mice's blood plasma when infused into aged mice caused regeneration of organs such as liver, and brain. There are certain factors present in the young blood which have been shown to improve the function of the organs.
In humans, transferring of young blood plasma to treat the effect of aging has already been attempted by a few doctors. In addition, fresh frozen blood plasma is currently used to treat patients who have disorders of blood clotting and immune disorders and is regarded as the standard of care by the medical community and as a safe treatment.
Over the past 25 years, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) concentrates have replaced bone marrow as the source for autologous stem cell transplants. Each year approximately 20,000 healthy individuals receive a protein call Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in order to stimulate and release stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood and these stem cells are collected and reinfused into patients who have blood cancers and other immune disorders. Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) has been approved by the FDA for mobilization of the stem cells and collection of an individual's own stem cells. In a standard peripheral blood stem cell transplant the stem cells as well as the plasma are collected from the donor and is reinfused into the patient for treatment. There are recent reports in the medical literature that mobilized stem cells secrete certain factors into the plasma of the blood and that these factors may be important for the regenerative capabilities of stem cells.
The transfusion of the plasma which contains these factors, secreted by the stem cells, which come from young individuals and are free of stem cells, may be an effective treatment for frailty and immune dysfunction in older individuals.
In this study, the treatment is considered experimental (investigational) because we are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of healthy donor plasma which contains the factors secreted by stem cells for the treatment of frailty and immune dysfunction. The plan of this study is to enroll about 30 subjects for treatment and follow up evaluation over a time period of two years (24 months).
- Conditions
- Frailty
- Being tested
- GMFFP
- Keywords
- Young Donor Plasma, Frailty, Aging, Immune Function, G-CSF
- Medical subject headings
- Frailty
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
GMFFPDrug
Also called Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Young Plasma
Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Frail, older subjects | Experimental | Treated subjects are the frail, older subjects who will be treated with Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma (GMFFP) in this protocol. Receives: Drug: GMFFP |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, serious adverse events and treatment-limiting adverse events
To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors) given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will be assessed throughout the duration of treatment. After the one-year treatment period, participants will complete follow-up assessments every 3 months for 1 year.
Measured: 24 months
Secondary outcomes (4)
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve the Immune Risk Profile (IRP) as assessed by aging, inflammation and immune function biomarkers.
Measured: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing cognitive function (MME)
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve cognitive function (MME) as assessed by cognitive impairment and to follow the course of cognitive changes in an individual over time. The test examines functions, including registration, attention and calculation, recall, language, ability to follow simple commands, and orientation.
Measured: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing quality of life (OPQOL-35)
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve quality of life (OPQOL-35) assessed by the effect of health, social relationships, independence, psychological well-being, and activities on overall quality of life in older individuals
Measured: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing Frailty Index (FI)
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve Frailty Index ("FI"), as measured by eight frailty factors including nutritional status, physical activity, mobility, energy, strength, cognition, mood, and social support
Measured: 12 and 24 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Mar 2018
- Study start5 Feb 2018
- Primary completion30 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for FrailtyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will then have a subsequent 12-month follow-up period.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dipnarine Maharaj
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Dipnarine Maharaj, South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute
- Investigators
- Dipnarine Maharaj, Principal investigator, South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03458429
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 001.16-BMSCTI
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Feb 2018
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Safety and Efficacy of GMFFP From Young Healthy Donors (18-35), Treated With G-CSF to Ameliorate Frailty and Enhance the Immune Risk Profile in Older Individuals
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03458429
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 001.16-BMSCTI
- Conditions
- Frailty
- Keywords
- Young Donor Plasma, Frailty, Aging, Immune Function, G-CSF
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dipnarine MaharajUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Feb 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Mar 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
- Primary Objective To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will then have a subsequent 12-month follow-up period.
- Secondary Objective
To determine the efficacy in older, frail individuals of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), and a subsequent 12-month follow-up period, to improve the Immune Risk Profile, ("IRP"), cognitive function (MME), quality of life (OPQOL-35), Frailty Index ("FI"), associated with unhealthy aging in the treated subjects.
Detailed description
There have been recent reports in medical literature about the discovery that young mice's blood plasma when infused into aged mice caused regeneration of organs such as liver, and brain. There are certain factors present in the young blood which have been shown to improve the function of the organs.
In humans, transferring of young blood plasma to treat the effect of aging has already been attempted by a few doctors. In addition, fresh frozen blood plasma is currently used to treat patients who have disorders of blood clotting and immune disorders and is regarded as the standard of care by the medical community and as a safe treatment.
Over the past 25 years, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) concentrates have replaced bone marrow as the source for autologous stem cell transplants. Each year approximately 20,000 healthy individuals receive a protein call Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in order to stimulate and release stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood and these stem cells are collected and reinfused into patients who have blood cancers and other immune disorders. Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) has been approved by the FDA for mobilization of the stem cells and collection of an individual's own stem cells. In a standard peripheral blood stem cell transplant the stem cells as well as the plasma are collected from the donor and is reinfused into the patient for treatment. There are recent reports in the medical literature that mobilized stem cells secrete certain factors into the plasma of the blood and that these factors may be important for the regenerative capabilities of stem cells.
The transfusion of the plasma which contains these factors, secreted by the stem cells, which come from young individuals and are free of stem cells, may be an effective treatment for frailty and immune dysfunction in older individuals.
In this study, the treatment is considered experimental (investigational) because we are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of healthy donor plasma which contains the factors secreted by stem cells for the treatment of frailty and immune dysfunction. The plan of this study is to enroll about 30 subjects for treatment and follow up evaluation over a time period of two years (24 months).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors), given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will then have a subsequent 12-month follow-up period.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Frail, older subjects | Experimental | Drug: GMFFPTreated subjects are the frail, older subjects who will be treated with Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma (GMFFP) in this protocol. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 55 to 95 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Provide written informed consent.
- Be aged between 55-95 years.
- Show signs of frailty apart from a concomitant condition as assessed by the Investigator with a score of 4-7 on the Clinical Frailty Scale (Appendix 1) and/or Have an abnormal Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
- Not be pregnant or nursing while participating in this trial. Both men and women of reproductive potential must agree to use an effective means of birth control while participating in the trial. Women of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test before treatment, if not surgically sterile.
- Have a negative neutrophil antibody test.
Key exclusion criteria (21 listed)
- Have a score of less than 4 or greater than 7 on the Clinical Frailty Scale or Have a score of less than 4 and a No Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
- Have used anti-inflammatory medications within 7 days of study treatment,treated subjects may be re-screened after 14 days
- Abnormal clinical values including but not limited to:
- Platelet count less than 100,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophils less than 1500/uL Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, or alkaline phosphatase Greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Serum bilirubin greater than 2 mg/dL
- Be an organ transplant recipient or have an active listing (or expected future listing) for transplant of any organ.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| GMFFPAlso: Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Young PlasmaGranulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma | Drug | Frail, older subjects |
Primary outcome
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, serious adverse events and treatment-limiting adverse events
Time frame: 24 months
To determine the safety and tolerability of 12 once monthly transfusions of GMFFP (Granulocyte - Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Mobilized Fresh Frozen Plasma harvested from young, healthy donors) given to older, frail individuals who are at risk due to unhealthy aging and who will be assessed throughout the duration of treatment. After the one-year treatment period, participants will complete follow-up assessments every 3 months for 1 year.
4 secondary outcomes
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing Immune Risk Profile (IRP)
Time frame: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing cognitive function (MME)
Time frame: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing quality of life (OPQOL-35)
Time frame: 12 and 24 months
Efficacy outcomes as measured by changes from baseline at 12 and 24 months assessing Frailty Index (FI)
Time frame: 12 and 24 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Dipnarine Maharaj principal investigator
South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing GMFFP in people with Frailty, run by Dipnarine Maharaj at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 21 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, serious adverse events and treatment-limiting adverse events (time frame: 24 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.