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Brown U Health Spine Center Enrolling Patients in Groundbreaking Lower Back Pain Trial
January 27, 2026/
Taking Aim at Lower Back Pain: Brown University Health’s Comprehensive Spine Center the Only New England Location Enrolling Patients in Groundbreaking Trial
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Brown University Health’s Comprehensive Spine Center teams at Newport Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital are currently enrolling volunteers for a groundbreaking Phase 3 clinical trial aimed at helping individuals suffering from chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease.
This clinical trial is designed for adults aged 18 and older who have been experiencing chronic lower back pain for at least six months, have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, and have not found relief from traditional treatments such as physical therapy or pain medications.
“Chronic low back pain can be debilitating and severely limit patients’ quality of life,†said Dr. Carayannopoulos, who is leading the trial locally at Newport Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. “We are dedicated to finding an evidence-based solution for this condition and encourage patients from across New England to consider participating in this important clinical trial.â€
The treatment involves a single injection of rexlemestrocel-L, an experimental stem cell therapy derived from healthy adult donors, combined with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body. This injection is delivered directly into the damaged disc in the lower back. The goal of the trial is to determine whether this treatment can reduce or eliminate back pain, improve quality of life and physical function, and reduce the need for pain medications over time.
There is no cost to trial participants or their health insurance. All necessary diagnostic testing will be covered by the sponsor, and participants will receive reimbursement for their time and travel. Those interesting in participating can contact the research team at: (401) 793-9177 or fill out the pre-screening information online to see if you qualify for this study.
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About Brown University Health
Brown University Health is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, R.I. Formed in 1994, it is comprised of three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s Hospital; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children. Brown Health also includes Newport Hospital, Saint Anne’s Hospital, and Morton Hospital that offer a broad range of health services; Gateway Healthcare, R.I.’s largest provider of community behavioral health care; Brown Health Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty practice in R.I.; and Brown Health Medical Group Primary Care, a primary care driven medical practice. Brown University Health teaching hospitals are among the country’s top recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. All Brown University Health-affiliated partners are charitable organizations that depend on support from the community to provide programs and services.
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