Safety and Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapies in Early-phase Clinical Trials in Stroke: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Stem Cell Res Ther

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2017 Sep 1

PMID 28854961

Citations 36

Authors

Anjali Nagpal

Fong Chan Choy

Stuart Howell

Susan Hillier

Fiona Chan

Monica A Hamilton-Bruce

Simon A Koblar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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