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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 Aug 30;8(1):191.
doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0643-x.

Safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapies in early-phase clinical trials in stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anjali Nagpal  1 , Fong Chan Choy  2 , Stuart Howell  3 , Susan Hillier  4 , Fiona Chan  5 , Monica A Hamilton-Bruce  2   6 , Simon A Koblar  2   6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapies in early-phase clinical trials in stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anjali Nagpal et al. Stem Cell Res Ther. .

Abstract

Stem cells have demonstrated encouraging potential as reparative therapy for patients suffering from post-stroke disability. Reperfusion interventions in the acute phase of stroke have shown significant benefit but are limited by a narrow window of opportunity in which they are beneficial. Thereafter, rehabilitation is the only intervention available. The current review summarises the current evidence for use of stem cell therapies in stroke from early-phase clinical trials. The safety and feasibility of administering different types of stem cell therapies in stroke seem to be reasonably proven. However, the effectiveness needs still to be established through bigger clinical trials with more pragmatic clinical trial designs that address the challenges raised by the heterogeneous nature of stroke per se, as well those due to unique characteristics of stem cells as therapeutic agents.

Keywords: Clinical design; Outcomes; Regenerative medicine; Stem cells; Stroke.

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Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study Selection for Review & Meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Single-arm studies: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)/modified Rankin score (mRS). CI confidence interval, ES effect size
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Single-arm studies: Barthel index (BI). CI confidence interval, ES effect size
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Controlled studies: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)/modified Rankin score (mRS). CI confidence interval, SMD standardised mean difference
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Controlled studies: Barthel index (BI). CI confidence interval, SMD standardised mean difference
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
a Aggregate Risk of bias graph b Risk of bias summary
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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