Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells for Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: To date, studies have shown inconsistent results of treatment with bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSC) for patients
with liver cirrhosis. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of BMDSC and standard therapy for liver cirrhosis.
Methods: Articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched from inception to April 2018. The index included Model
for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total bilirubin (TBIL), prothrombin time (PT), Child–Pugh
score, and all-cause mortality.
Results: A total of 9 studies with a total of 424 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in final meta-analysis. BMDSC therapy was
associated with lower MELD within 3 months (P = .010), while it had no significant impact on MELD after 6 months (P = .074). There were
no differences between BMDSC and standard therapy for ALT within 3 months (P = .336) and after 6 months (P = .379). BMDSC did not
affect albumin level within 3 months (P = .196) and after 6 months (P = .840). BMDSC reduced the TBIL level within 3 months (P = .037)
and was not associated with the TBIL level after 6 months (P = .914). There were no differences between BMDSC and standard therapy
for PT within 3 months (P = .167) and after 6 months (P = .484). The Child–Pugh scores within 3 months (P = .342) and after 6 months
(P = .133) were not associated with BMDSC treatment for liver cirrhosis patients. Finally, the BMDSC was not associated with the risk of
all-cause mortality, as compared with standard therapy (P = .622).
Conclusions: BMDSC treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis could improve short-term MELD and TBIL, but not the risk of mortality,
as compared with standard therapy.
with liver cirrhosis. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of BMDSC and standard therapy for liver cirrhosis.
Methods: Articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched from inception to April 2018. The index included Model
for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total bilirubin (TBIL), prothrombin time (PT), Child–Pugh
score, and all-cause mortality.
Results: A total of 9 studies with a total of 424 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in final meta-analysis. BMDSC therapy was
associated with lower MELD within 3 months (P = .010), while it had no significant impact on MELD after 6 months (P = .074). There were
no differences between BMDSC and standard therapy for ALT within 3 months (P = .336) and after 6 months (P = .379). BMDSC did not
affect albumin level within 3 months (P = .196) and after 6 months (P = .840). BMDSC reduced the TBIL level within 3 months (P = .037)
and was not associated with the TBIL level after 6 months (P = .914). There were no differences between BMDSC and standard therapy
for PT within 3 months (P = .167) and after 6 months (P = .484). The Child–Pugh scores within 3 months (P = .342) and after 6 months
(P = .133) were not associated with BMDSC treatment for liver cirrhosis patients. Finally, the BMDSC was not associated with the risk of
all-cause mortality, as compared with standard therapy (P = .622).
Conclusions: BMDSC treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis could improve short-term MELD and TBIL, but not the risk of mortality,
as compared with standard therapy.