Breakthrough Clinical Trial Lets 12-Year-Old Boy with Rare Skin Disorder Play Football

Published: 15 August 2025 — The English Chronicle Desk

A 12-year-old boy with a rare and debilitating genetic skin disorder can now enjoy playing football and riding his bike, thanks to a groundbreaking medical trial. Gabrielius Misurenkovas, who has lived with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) since infancy, has experienced a significant improvement in his condition through the experimental treatment.

RDEB is an inflammatory genetic disease that leaves the skin extremely fragile, causing painful blistering, deep wounds, and scarring. The condition is exceedingly rare, affecting only around 150 children in the UK, and until recently, there has been no treatment beyond careful wound care and eye ointments. Gabrielius’s daily routine involved changing his bandages at least three times a day, with additional care required whenever he sustained even minor injuries.

When Gabrielius was offered a place in a clinical trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), he eagerly joined, hoping it would give him more freedom to enjoy everyday activities. “I wanted to take part in the trial as I was excited to see if it could help improve my condition and so I could do more of the things I enjoy, like playing football and spending time with my friends,” Gabrielius said.

Since undergoing the trial, Gabrielius has been able to engage in activities that were previously impossible. He can now play sports at school, ride his bike on grass in the park, and even participate in football games with friends using a soft ball. His mother, Jolita Cekaviciene, described the remarkable progress: “Gabrielius did really well on the trial. His wounds healed quicker, his skin was less red and inflamed, and the itching was reduced. He is also sleeping better, as his bandages no longer need to be changed as frequently.”

Despite the improvement, Gabrielius still needs to exercise caution to avoid injury. He was diagnosed with RDEB just two weeks after his birth, following the detection of a wound. The condition can lead to severe complications, including an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in early adulthood, which is a leading cause of death for patients with RDEB.

Gabrielius was one of thirty children enrolled in the trial conducted at GOSH and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Participants received intravenous infusions of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), a therapy aimed at promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and stimulating tissue regeneration. The treatment, called CORDStrom and manufactured by INmuneBio, was administered over a 10 to 15-minute drip session.

The trial, funded by NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and the charity Cure EB, represents a promising development in the search for effective treatments for RDEB. Gabrielius’s mother emphasized the life-changing impact of the trial: “The first two years were really hard as even minor touches could cause painful blistering. This treatment has given him more freedom, and we are incredibly grateful to the medical teams involved.”

Gabrielius, who speaks three languages and is a devoted fan of footballer Lionel Messi, now looks forward to participating in everyday activities alongside his peers, a milestone that seemed unattainable just a short time ago. The success of this trial offers hope not only for Gabrielius but for other children living with RDEB, demonstrating the potential of innovative therapies to transform lives.