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Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapies for ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Zhi-Yuan Shen, Xian Tang, Ya-Xin Zhang, Yi-Cun Jia, Xin Guo, Xiao-Su Guo, Junqiang Bao, Xiongwei Xie et al.

Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 2024

1,217 participants · 24 citations

Abstract

Abstract Background The efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSCs for IS. Methods A literature search until May 23, 2023, was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to identify studies on stem cell therapy for IS. Interventional and observational clinical studies of MSCs in patients with IS were included, and the safety and efficacy were assessed. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality independently. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4. Results Fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 15 non-randomized trials, including 1217 patients (624 and 593 in the intervention and control arms, respectively), were analyzed. MSCs significantly improved patients’ activities of daily living according to the modified Rankin scale (mean difference [MD]: −0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.50 to −0.01; P = .04) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (MD: −1.69; 95% CI: −2.66 to −0.73; P < .001) in RCTs. MSC treatment was associated with lower mortality rates in RCTs (risk ratio: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.28-0.69; P < .001). Fever and headache were among the most reported adverse effects. Conclusions Based on our review, MSC transplantation improves neurological deficits and daily activities in patients with IS. In the future, prospective studies with large sample sizes…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,217 participants or records.

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