Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: a…

Meta-analysisFrontiers in immunology· 2026

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with clinical implications for patient stratification and treatment optimization.

Honghao Guo, Lingyun Sun, Liuting Zeng

Multiple Sclerosis & NeuroimmunologyMeta-analysisTreatmentQ1IF 6.4

Mesenchymal stem cell transplant did not significantly improve disability scores in progressive multiple sclerosis

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with clinical implications for patient stratification and treatment optimization.

Honghao Guo … Liuting Zeng

Frontiers in immunology · 2026

Background

Progressive multiple sclerosis (progressive multiple sclerosis) is a disabling demyelinating disease characterized by irreversible neurodegeneration.

Purpose

To rigorously evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in progressive multiple sclerosis patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis of exclusively randomized controlled trials (randomized controlled trials), and to provide evidence-based recommendations.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials comparing mesenchymal stem cell transplantation with placebo in adult progressive multiple sclerosis patients were included.

n = 143 patients

Results

disability scores were not meaningfully different between transplant and control groups

RR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Mesenchymal stem cell did not increase treatment-emergent adverse events (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.35, P = 0.52) or serious adverse events (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.26 to 2.36, P = 0.67).

GRADE: moderate certainty for treatment-emergent adverse events, very low for Expanded Disability Status Scale change and serious adverse events.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation appears safe in progressive multiple sclerosis patients, with no increased adverse event risk.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

However, current evidence does not support significant benefit on Expanded Disability Status Scale scores in unselected patients. Given the very low to moderate certainty, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with clinical implications for patient stratification and treatment optimization.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with clinical implications for patient stratification and treatment optimization.

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