Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39017984›Full record

ReviewCurrent pain and headache reports2024

Intradiscal Autologous Biologics for the Treatment of Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain.

Wisdom Ufondu, Christopher L Robinson, Nasir Hussain, Ryan S D'Souza, Jay Karri, Trent Emerick, Vwaire J Orhurhu

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current pain and headache reports, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–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

6 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Human α2-Macroglobulin: Architecture, Mechanisms, and Functional Implications.FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · 2026
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
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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

7 authors.

Wisdom UfonduDepartment of Biology, Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Christopher L RobinsonBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Nasir HussainDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
Ryan S D'SouzaDepartment of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Jay KarriDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Trent EmerickDepartment of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Vwaire J OrhurhuUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Susquehanna, Williamsport, PA, USA. vwo569@mail.harvard.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate the efficacy of the most commonly studied intradiscal biologics used for the treatment and alleviation of chronic intractable discogenic low back pain. Additionally, it explores the therapeutic potential and durability of these novel treatment options. RECENT

findingsRecently published literature highlights the therapeutic potential of intradiscal biologics, such as mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and alpha-2-macroglobulin, in promoting chondrogenesis within the lumbar intervertebral discs to treat discogenic low back pain. Studies demonstrate significant improvements in pain relief, physical function, and quality of life post-treatment. A comprehensive review of the literature evaluating the efficacy of intradiscal biologics suggests some evidence supporting its efficacy in treating discogenic low back pain. However, more rigorous studies into mechanistic modulation and large-scale randomized trials as well as a more thorough understanding of adverse events will be instrumental for including these therapies into clinical practice paradigms.

Indexed as

Biological ProductsIntervertebral Disc DegenerationLow Back PainChronic PainHumansIntervertebral DiscMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationPlatelet-Rich PlasmaTransplantation, AutologousTreatment OutcomeBiological ProductsAlpha-2-MacroglobulinMesenchymal Stem CellPlatelet-Rich Plasma

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

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 OpenQuestion graph.