Meta-analysis on last ten years of clinical injection of bone marrow-derived and umbilical cord MSC to reverse cirrhosis or rescue patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has potential therapeutic effects for patients with end-stage liver diseases. However, a consensus on the efficacy and safety of MSCs has not been reached. METHODS: A systemic literature review was conducted by searching the Cochrane Library and PubMed databases for articles that evaluated the impact of MSC therapy on the outcomes among patients with end-stage liver disease. Various parameters, including pre- and post-treatment model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), coagulation function, aminotransferase, and survival rate, were evaluated. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included a final total of 13 studies and 854 patients. The results indicated improved liver parameters following MSC therapy at different time points, including in terms of MELD score, TB level, and ALB level, compared with conventional treatment. Furthermore, the MSC treatment increased the overall survival rate among patients with liver cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The changes in transaminase level and coagulation function differed between the different therapies at various post-treatment time points, indicating that MSC therapy provided no significant benefits in this regard. The further subgroup analysis stratified by liver background revealed that patients with ACLF benefit more from MSC therapy at most time points with improved liver function, including in terms of MELD score, TB level, and ALB level. In addition, no serious side effects or adverse events were reported following MSC therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis results suggest that MSC therapy is safe and results in improved liver function and survival rates among patients with end-stage liver disease. The subgroup analysis stratified by liver background indicated that patients with ACLF benefit more from MSC therapy than patients with liver cirrhosis at most time points. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-023-03494-2.