Background Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with very large healthcare and social costs, and a strong demand for alternative therapeutic approaches. Preclinical studies have shown that stem cells transplanted into the brain can lead to functional improvement. However, to date, evidence for the benefits of stem cell transplantation in people with ischemic stroke is lacking. This is the first update of the Cochrane review published in 2010. Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of stem cell transplantation compared with control in people with ischemic stroke. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched August 2018), CENTRAL (last searched August 2018), MED-LINE (1966 to August 2018), Embase (1980 to August 2018), and BIOSIS (1926 to August 2018). We handsearched potentially relevant conference proceedings, screened reference lists, and searched ongoing trials and research registers (last searched August 2018). We also contacted individuals active in the field and stem cell manufacturers (last contacted August 2018). Selection criteria We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that recruited people with ischemic stroke, in any phase of the disease (acute, subacute or chronic), and an ischemic lesion confirmed by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. We included all types of stem cell transplantation, regardless of cell source (autograft, allograft, or xenograft; embryonic, fetal, or adult; from brain or other tissues), route of cell administration (systemic or local), and dosage. The primary outcome was efficacy (assessed as neurologic impairment or functional outcome) at longer term follow-up (minimum six months). Secondary outcomes included post-procedure safety outcomes (death, worsening of neurological deficit, infections, and neoplastic transformation). Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality and risk of bias, and extracted data. If needed, we contacted study authors for additional information. We performed random effects meta-analyses when two or more RCTs were available for any outcome. We assessed the certainty of the evidence by using the GRADE approach. Main results In this updated review, we included seven completed RCTs with 401 participants. All tested adult human non-neural stem cells; cells were transplanted during the acute, subacute, or chronic phase of ischemic stroke; administered intravenously, intra-arterially, intracerebrally, or into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Follow-up ranged from six months to seven years. Efficacy outcomes were measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), or Barthel Index (BI). Safety outcomes included case fatality, and were measured at the end of the trial. Overall, stem cell transplantation was associated with a better clinical outcome when measured with the NIHSS (mean difference [MD]-1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]-2.65 to-0.33; five studies, 319 participants; low-certainty evidence), but not with the mRS (MD-0.42, 95% CI-0.86 to 0.02; six studies, 371 participants; very low-certainty evidence), or the BI (MD 14.09, 95% CI-1.94 to 30.13; three studies, 170 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The studies in favor of stem cell transplantation had, on average, a higher risk of bias, and a sample size of 32 or fewer participants. No significant safety concerns associated with stem cell transplantation were raised with respect to death (risk ratio [RR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.14; six studies, participants; low-certainty evidence). We were not able to perform the sensitivity analysis according to the quality of studies, because all of them were at high risk of bias. Authors’ conclusions Overall, in participants with ischemic stroke, stem cell transplantation was associated with a reduced neurological impairment, but not with a better functional outcome. No obvious safety concerns were raised. However, these conclusions came mostly from small RCTs with high risk of bias, and the certainty of the evidence ranged from low to very low. More well-designed trials are needed.

Boncoraglio, G., Ranieri, M., Bersano, A., Parati, E., Giovane, C. (2019). Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke. COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS, 2019(5) [10.1002/14651858.CD007231.pub3].

Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke

Boncoraglio G. B.
Primo
;
2019

Abstract

Background Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with very large healthcare and social costs, and a strong demand for alternative therapeutic approaches. Preclinical studies have shown that stem cells transplanted into the brain can lead to functional improvement. However, to date, evidence for the benefits of stem cell transplantation in people with ischemic stroke is lacking. This is the first update of the Cochrane review published in 2010. Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of stem cell transplantation compared with control in people with ischemic stroke. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched August 2018), CENTRAL (last searched August 2018), MED-LINE (1966 to August 2018), Embase (1980 to August 2018), and BIOSIS (1926 to August 2018). We handsearched potentially relevant conference proceedings, screened reference lists, and searched ongoing trials and research registers (last searched August 2018). We also contacted individuals active in the field and stem cell manufacturers (last contacted August 2018). Selection criteria We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that recruited people with ischemic stroke, in any phase of the disease (acute, subacute or chronic), and an ischemic lesion confirmed by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. We included all types of stem cell transplantation, regardless of cell source (autograft, allograft, or xenograft; embryonic, fetal, or adult; from brain or other tissues), route of cell administration (systemic or local), and dosage. The primary outcome was efficacy (assessed as neurologic impairment or functional outcome) at longer term follow-up (minimum six months). Secondary outcomes included post-procedure safety outcomes (death, worsening of neurological deficit, infections, and neoplastic transformation). Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality and risk of bias, and extracted data. If needed, we contacted study authors for additional information. We performed random effects meta-analyses when two or more RCTs were available for any outcome. We assessed the certainty of the evidence by using the GRADE approach. Main results In this updated review, we included seven completed RCTs with 401 participants. All tested adult human non-neural stem cells; cells were transplanted during the acute, subacute, or chronic phase of ischemic stroke; administered intravenously, intra-arterially, intracerebrally, or into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Follow-up ranged from six months to seven years. Efficacy outcomes were measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), or Barthel Index (BI). Safety outcomes included case fatality, and were measured at the end of the trial. Overall, stem cell transplantation was associated with a better clinical outcome when measured with the NIHSS (mean difference [MD]-1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]-2.65 to-0.33; five studies, 319 participants; low-certainty evidence), but not with the mRS (MD-0.42, 95% CI-0.86 to 0.02; six studies, 371 participants; very low-certainty evidence), or the BI (MD 14.09, 95% CI-1.94 to 30.13; three studies, 170 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The studies in favor of stem cell transplantation had, on average, a higher risk of bias, and a sample size of 32 or fewer participants. No significant safety concerns associated with stem cell transplantation were raised with respect to death (risk ratio [RR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.14; six studies, participants; low-certainty evidence). We were not able to perform the sensitivity analysis according to the quality of studies, because all of them were at high risk of bias. Authors’ conclusions Overall, in participants with ischemic stroke, stem cell transplantation was associated with a reduced neurological impairment, but not with a better functional outcome. No obvious safety concerns were raised. However, these conclusions came mostly from small RCTs with high risk of bias, and the certainty of the evidence ranged from low to very low. More well-designed trials are needed.
Articolo in rivista - Review Essay
Acute Disease; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery [rehabilitation; *surgery]; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation [adverse effects; methods]; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stem Cell Transplantation [adverse effects; *methods]; Stroke [*surgery]; Humans; Brain Ischemia; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stroke; Stem Cell Transplantation;
English
2019
2019
5
CD007231
reserved
Boncoraglio, G., Ranieri, M., Bersano, A., Parati, E., Giovane, C. (2019). Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke. COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS, 2019(5) [10.1002/14651858.CD007231.pub3].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2019 Stem cells for IS - Cochrane review.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Dimensione 616.05 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
616.05 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/299989
Citazioni
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 43
Social impact