Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alone for the treatment of unoperated knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Four databases were systematically searched (before August 1, 2024) to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of MSCs for OA. The population of this study was OA patients who had not received any surgical treatment. The intervention was intra-articular injection of MSCs without other adjuvant therapy. Outcomes included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), 100-mm Visual Analog Score (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Prognostic Score (KOOS), and adverse events. After screening the literature according to the eligibility criteria, extracting the data, and evaluating the quality, Meta-analysis was performed…