Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Therapy for Asherman's Syndrome and Endometrial Atrophy: A 5-Year Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: Based on the role of bone marrow (BM) stem cells in regeneration of endometrium, refractory cases of Asherman's syndrome (AS) and endometrial atrophy (EA) may benefit with BM-derived intrauterine stem cell instillation. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the role of BM-derived autologous stem cell therapy in endometrial regeneration and restoration of menstruation and fertility in refractory cases of AS and EA. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary care center. DESIGN: This was a prospective, single-arm longitudinal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five cases with refractory AS or EA were included. BM-derived mononuclear stem cells were instilled into the subendometrial zone followed by oral estrogen therapy for 3 months. Menstrual flow and endometrial thickness (ET) were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months and 5 years. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical software STATA version 12.0. Mean prestem cell transfer ET (mm) was 3.3 ± 1.0. At the end of 3 months, there was a significant increase in ET (mm) to 5.1 ± 1.9 (P = 0.001), but there was no significant change at 6 months (5.6 ± 1.5; P = 0.164), at 9 months (6.1 ± 1.7; P = 0.135), or at the end of 5 years. Six of the seven amenorrheic patients resumed menses. Three patients had a successful pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine stem cell treatment is a promising novel approach for refractory cases of AS and EA.