Mesenchymal Stem Cells Use in the Treatment of Tendon Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Clinical Studies

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in patients with tendon disorders enrolled in prospective clinical studies. Methods We systematically searched prospective clinical studies that investigated the effects of MSC administration on human tendon disorders with at least a 6-month follow-up period in the PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcome of interest was the change in pain on motion related to tendon disorders. Meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between MSC dose and pooled effect sizes in each cell dose. Results Four prospective clinical trials that investigated the effect of MSCs on tendon disorders were retrieved. MSCs showed a significant pooled effect size (overall Hedges' g pooled standardized mean difference=1.868; 95% confidence interval, 1.274-2.462; p Conclusion Our meta-analysis revealed that MSC therapy may improve pain, function, radiological, and arthroscopic parameters in patients with tendon disorders. A strong need for large-scale randomized controlled trials has emerged to confirm the long-term functional improvement and adverse effects of MSC therapies in tendon disorders.

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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