FAQs and additional resources

Explore common questions about FREEDOM-3 and resources for recipients and donors.

How is the investigational cell therapy administered?

The investigational cell therapy (made from your donor’s cells) is administered as a one-time infusion. To learn more, or if you have questions, please email patientinformation@talaristx.com.

What are the benefits of taking part in this clinical trial?

Your participation could help advance medical research for people with dcSSc. Your health will also be closely monitored by experts in dcSSc.

What are the potential trial-related risks?

Participants may experience side effects and/or health complications from the medicines, investigational cell therapy, and/or assessments and procedures. The study team will discuss all potential trial-related benefits and risks with participants before they decide to take part. If you have any questions, please ask the study team.

What are the potential risks of immunosuppressive medicines?
  • Tacrolimus: High blood pressure, which may cause dizziness, blurred vision; infection, especially when white blood cell count is low; bruising, bleeding; anemia (low red blood cell counts); kidney damage, which may cause swelling, may require dialysis; constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting; diabetes; abnormal body movement; feeling of “pins and needles” in arms and legs; headache; dizziness; difficulty sleeping; swelling of body; fever; hair loss; itching, rash
  • Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF): Mouth sores; anxiety; stomach pain; fever; upset stomach; tremor; difficulty sleeping; high blood pressure; diarrhea; constipation; leukopenia (low white blood cell counts), anemia; thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts); inflammation and bleeding of gastrointestinal system; edema or swelling of feet; abnormal or tingling sensations in limbs
  • Corticosteroids: High blood pressure; increased eye pressure; cataract (clouding of vision); facial fullness; muscle cramps and joint pain; changes in menstruation; emotional disturbances; easy bruising and thinning of skin; increase in body hair and acne; weight gain with increased appetite and fluid retention; diabetes and suppression of body’s ability to make necessary cortisone; irritation of stomach and esophagus with rare bleeding; long-term use may increase risk of bone fractures
What are the potential risks of the mobilizing medicine?

Filgrastim: Increase in white blood cell count; nosebleed; anemia; diarrhea; bone pain; fever; tiredness; hair loss

What are the potential risks of conditioning medicines and radiation?
  • Cyclophosphamide: Infection, especially when white blood cell count is low; anemia; bruising, bleeding; blood in urine; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, pain in belly; sores in mouth, which may cause difficulty swallowing; absence of menstrual period, which may decrease ability to have children; hair loss, skin changes, rash, change in nails
  • Mesna: Infection, especially when white blood cell count is low; nausea, vomiting, constipation; unpleasant taste; tiredness; fever
  • Fludarabine: Cough; infection, especially when white blood cell count is low; bruising, bleeding; increased risk of unusual infections lasting more than six months; vomiting, loss of appetite; tiredness
  • Conditioning medicines and radiation: Temporary decrease in number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets; discomfort from lying still for a period of time; nausea; vomiting; fatigue; increased risk of cancer; early onset menopause with increased risk of bone fractures; infertility/inability to get pregnant (temporary or permanent); temporarily decreased sperm count; fever
What are the potential risks of lisinopril?

Allergic reactions; cough; headache; dizziness; hypotension; hyperkalemia; increased blood levels of urea and creatinine

What are the potential risks of an apheresis procedure?

Decrease in blood calcium level leading to tingling or abnormal sensations in arms and legs and muscle spasms; joint, bone, or back pain; faintness; fluid overload; weakness; anxiety; pain or infection at site of catheter insertion; decrease in platelets increasing tendency to bleed

What are the potential risks of a central line/IV catheter insertion?

Pain; discomfort; localized infection; rash from anesthetic; bleeding; clotting; bruising; anaphylactic shock due to reaction of anesthetic

What are the potential risks of the FCR001 cell infusion?
  • GvHD affecting the skin (rash), liver (jaundice, yellow skin color), or gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps); skin rashes and skin thickening; dryness or difficulty swallowing; absent or reduced ability to make tears leading to dry eyes and discomfort in bright light
  • Graft failure or lack of engraftment (lack of acceptance and growth of donor stem cells in bone marrow, which means your body will not be able to produce red cells, white cells, or platelets)
  • Blood type conversion (you may convert to your donor’s blood type if your blood type is different from your donor’s)
  • FCR001 is an investigational cell therapy; not all of the potential side effects are known. Additionally, there may be unknown risks to a pregnancy, embryo, or fetus
Do I have to take part?

No. Taking part in any clinical trial is completely voluntary.

If I join but then change my mind, can I leave the trial?

You may stop being in the trial at any time and for any reason. Please tell your study team if you decide to leave so they can work with you to best protect your health. This might include a final visit or check of your health.

Do I have to pay for anything?

Study-related costs for recipient and donor participants may be covered. Study participants may still be responsible for any co-pays associated with visits. The study sponsor will cover the cost of immunosuppressive medicines, if needed, for up to five years following the stem cell transplant.

Recipients and donors (plus their potential companions) may be reimbursed for travel (airfare, mileage, or other forms of public transportation), hotel/lodging, and meal expenses. There are limits to how much can be reimbursed. The study team will discuss all options with you.

How long does this clinical trial last?

Participants should expect to be enrolled in this trial for about five years for recipients and about 15 months for donors.

How do I find a donor?

Please talk to the study team if you need help finding a donor.

Video resources

Watch videos about the FREEDOM-3 trial and learn more about what it means to take part.

FREEDOM-3: A Quest for a Future Restored from Diffuse Scleroderma

An autologous stem cell transplant recipient shares her journey living with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis and her decision to receive a stem cell transplant. Talaris Therapeutics Senior Scientific Advisor Dr. Suzanne Ildstad and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nancy Krieger discuss the challenges and high unmet medical needs in this community while reviewing Talaris Therapeutics’ investigational cell therapy in FREEDOM-3, a phase 2 clinical trial being conducted in patients suffering from diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

Could you take part?

Take a short survey to find out if you could qualify for the FREEDOM-3 clinical trial.

Models pictured are not actual participants
in the FREEDOM-3 trial.