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Cited by 49Liver Disease and TransplantationMesenchymal stem cell researchLiver physiology and pathology

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Lu, Wenming, Qu, Jiayang, Yan, Longxiang, Tang, Xingkun, Wang, Xuesong, Ye, Anqi, Zou, Zhengwei, Li, Lincai +2 more·2023·Stem Cell Research & Therapy
DOI 10.1186/s13287-023-03518-xPMC PMC10590028
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Abstract

Aim: Although the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis have been demonstrated in several studies. Clinical cases of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for patients with liver cirrhosis are limited and these studies lack the consistency of treatment effects. This article aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Method: The data source included PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, from inception to May 2023. Literature was screened by the PICOS principle, followed by literature quality evaluation to assess the risk of bias. Finally, the data from each study's outcome indicators were extracted for a combined analysis. Outcome indicators of the assessment included liver functions and adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. Results: A total of 11 clinical trials met the selection criteria. The pooled analysis' findings demonstrated that both primary and secondary indicators had improved. Compared to the control group, infusion of mesenchymal stem cells significantly increased ALB levels in 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, and significantly decreased MELD score in 1 month, 2 months, and 6 months, according to a subgroup analysis using a random-effects model. Additionally, the hepatic arterial injection favored improvements in MELD score and ALB levels. Importantly, none of the included studies indicated any severe adverse effects. Conclusion: The results showed that mesenchymal stem cell was effective and safe in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, improving liver function (such as a decrease in MELD score and an increase in ALB levels) in patients with liver cirrhosis and exerting protective effects on complications of liver cirrhosis and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the results of the subgroup analysis were informative for the selection of mesenchymal stem cells for clinical treatment, a large number of high-quality randomized controlled trials validations are still needed.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Lu, W., Qu, J., Yan, L., Tang, X., Wang, X., Ye, A., Zou, Z., Li, L., Ye, J., & Zhou, L.
Affiliations
  • Gannan Medical University (CN)
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Ye, Junsong
  • Zhou, Lin
ORCID
Venue
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-10-20
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
301-301
ISSN
1757-6512 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s13287-023-03518-x
PMC
PMC10590028
OpenAlex
W4387805413
Cited by
49
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 12
FWCI
2.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Stem Cell Research & Therapy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Doctor Start-up Fund (QD088)
  • the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32060232)
  • The Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation (20212BAB206075)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Disease and Transplantation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Mesenchymal stem cell research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver physiology and pathology
Keywords
mesenchymal stem cells, liver cirrhosis, stem cell therapy efficacy, treatment safety, MELD score, serum albumin, liver function, hepatocellular carcinoma prevention, adverse events
MeSH terms
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Humans, Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Neoplasms, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation

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