ReviewAsian spine journal2026
Intradiscal mesenchymal stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Review in Asian spine journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
STUDY
designSystematic review and meta-analysis. PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intradiscal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection for patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: DDD is a common cause of chronic low-back pain (CLBP). Studies have shown that MSC therapy may have the potential to reverse the degenerative process. However, the evidence remains inconclusive.
methodsA comprehensive search of Europe PMC, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Medline was conducted up to April 30, 2025, using relevant keywords. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intradiscal MSC injections with sham/placebo in patients with DDD were included. Random-effects models were used to calculate the odds ratios and mean differences (MDs).
resultsSeven RCTs were included. MSC injection was associated with significantly greater reductions in Visual Analog Scale pain scores (MD, 6.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], -9.31 to -4.02; p<0.00001, I2=29%) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (MD, -4.05%; 95% CI, -5.24 to -2.87; p<0.00001, I2=32%) compared with sham/placebo. The magnitude of improvement increased with longer followup. No significant differences were observed between groups in treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, treatment discontinuation due to AEs, or mortality.
conclusionsIntradiscal MSC injection appears to be a safe and effective therapy, offering modest improvements in pain and function for patients with CLBP due to DDD who do not respond to conservative treatments.
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Registered trials
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