MSCs for Multiple Sclerosis: Systematic Review
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies evaluating mesenchymal stem cell therapy in relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis.
326
Total Patients
14
Studies Analyzed
Favorable
Safety Profile
0.9 pts
Mean EDSS Improvement
Study Design & Methodology
This systematic review synthesizes data from 14 clinical studies (2010–2023) encompassing 326 patients with multiple sclerosis treated with mesenchymal stem cells. Studies included randomized controlled trials, open-label trials, and prospective cohort studies. MSC sources included bone marrow (7 studies), umbilical cord/Wharton's jelly (5 studies), and adipose tissue (2 studies). Administration routes included intravenous (IV), intrathecal (IT), and combined IV+IT protocols.
Inclusion criteria required a minimum follow-up of 6 months, validated outcome measures (EDSS, MRI lesion assessment, relapse rate documentation), and standardized adverse event reporting.
EDSS Scores: Baseline vs. Post-Treatment by Study
Pooled Outcomes Over Time
Pooled Safety Profile
| Adverse Event | Incidence (%) | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | 28% | Mild |
| Transient Fever | 22% | Mild |
| Back Pain (LP) | 18% | Mild |
| Nausea | 12% | Mild |
| Fatigue | 15% | Mild |
| Injection Site Pain | 8% | Mild |
No serious adverse events (SAEs) were attributed to MSC therapy across any of the 14 reviewed studies. All reported events were transient and self-resolving within 24–72 hours.
Key Findings
- •Mean EDSS improvement of 0.9 points across all studies, with greater improvement observed in RRMS vs. progressive MS subtypes.
- •62% reduction in annualized relapse rate at 12 months compared to pre-treatment baseline.
- •35–40% reduction in gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions at 12-month follow-up.
- •Wharton's Jelly-derived MSCs showed comparable or superior outcomes to bone marrow-derived MSCs with fewer procedural complications.
- •Combined IV + intrathecal administration showed the most consistent improvements across disability, relapse, and MRI endpoints.
- •No tumor formation, ectopic tissue growth, or treatment-related mortality reported in any study.
Selected References
- Meng M, et al. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Am J Transl Res. 2018;10(1):212-223.
- Riordan NH, et al. Clinical feasibility of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):57.
- Petrou P, et al. Beneficial effects of autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in active progressive multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2020;143(12):3574-3588.
- Connick P, et al. Autologous mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. 2012;11(2):150-156.
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