Evidence mapPaperPMID 41787572Full record

SynthesisStem cell research & therapy2026

The efficacy and safety of MSCs in GVHD prevention and the treatment of SR-aGVHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Shuzhou Wu, Wenming Lu, An Xie, Jiabing Wang, Wenhui Zeng, Cixiang Chen, Nan Wu, Junsong Ye, Zhengwei Zou, Lincai Li and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Shuzhou WuStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Wenming LuStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
An XieStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Jiabing WangStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Wenhui ZengStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Cixiang ChenThe First Clinical College of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Nan WuThe First Clinical College of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Junsong YeStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Zhengwei ZouStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Lincai LiStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China.
Lin ZhouStem Cell Clinical Translation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, PR China. xmuzhoulin@126.com.

Funding

the Jiangxi Provincial Graduate Innovation Special Fund Project (Grant No. YC2025-S790)the Joint Program for Science and Technology & Healthcare of Ganzhou City (Grant No. 2025YLCE0104)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 32360216)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (Grant No. 20252BAC200457)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a cornerstone in the treatment of hematological disorders. However, its application is frequently complicated by acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD/cGVHD), pathological conditions in which donor-derived immune cells attack host tissues. With suboptimal survival rates and limited therapeutic options, GVHD remains a major clinical challenge. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality due to their immunomodulatory capabilities, yet standardized protocols for their use in preventing or treating GVHD have not been established.

methodsWe performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to 10 February 2025 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Study selection was based on the PICOS framework, and the risk of bias was assessed using appropriate quality appraisal tools. Outcome data were systematically extracted and synthesized via meta-analysis.

resultsA total of 15 RCTs were included. The meta-analysis revealed that MSC administration significantly reduced the incidence of aGVHD (OR: 0.47; 95% CI 0.32-0.71; p = 0.00003) and cGVHD (OR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.34-0.74; p = 0.0005) compared with controls. MSC therapy was also associated with improved response rates in steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD) (OR: 1.50; 95% CI 1.04-2.17; p = 0.03).

conclusionMSCs demonstrate efficacy in preventing both aGVHD and cGVHD following HSCT, particularly in moderate to severe forms. A dose range of 1 × 10⁶ to < 4 × 10⁶ cells/kg was associated with optimal prophylactic outcomes. For SR-aGVHD, MSC infusion resulted in significantly higher remission rates compared to conventional treatments, especially in severe cases.

Indexed as

Graft vs Host DiseaseHematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicEfficacyGVHDMesenchymal stem cellMeta-analysisSafetySR-aGVHD

Identifiers

PMID41787572
PMCPMC13072649

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.