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

Anjali NagpalEmail author View ORCID ID profile,
Fong Chan Choy,
Stuart Howell,
Susan Hillier,
Fiona Chan,
Monica A. Hamilton-Bruce and
Simon A. Koblar

Stem Cell Research & Therapy20178:191

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-017-0643-x

Published: 30 August 2017

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.