Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Paper Details

Review Paper 12/08/2025
Views (465)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Shafee Ur Rehman
Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 134-140, August 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Recurrent ovarian cancer leads to chemoresistance which results in a poor treatment outcome. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess dual capabilities of immune regulation and tumor targeting, making them suitable for therapeutic applications. The research aims to both assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety profile of MSC-based treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer patients. A PubMed search revealed studies from 2015 to 2025 using specific keywords to find relevant information. The research team applied inclusion criteria to filter studies before extracting relevant information. The analysis combined hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) through a random-effects model. The research also evaluated adverse events that occurred during the study. The analysis included 12 studies from a total of 33 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that patients who received MSC treatment experienced better PFS (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58–0.89) and OS (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65–0.93) than control patients did. The reported adverse events were mostly light and temporary. MSC therapy shows promise for enhancing survival results in recurrent ovarian cancer patients while maintaining a positive safety profile. Additional large-scale randomized controlled trials must be conducted to validate these findings and enhance treatment protocols.

Bucur C, Petrea S, Gaspar B, Pop L, Varlas V, Hasegan A, Stoian M, Gorecki GP, Bacalbasa N. 2024. Ovarian cancer prevention and screening–where do we stand today? Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences 11, 99–105.

Chandra A, Pius C, Nabeel M, Nair M, Vishwanatha JK, Ahmad S, Basha R. 2019. Ovarian cancer: Current status and strategies for improving therapeutic outcomes. Cancer Medicine 8, 7018–7031.

Grisendi G, Spano C, Rossignoli F, Dsouza N, Golinelli G, Fiori A, Horwitz EM, Guarneri V, Piacentini F, Paolucci P, Dominici M. 2016. Tumor stroma manipulation by MSC. Current Drug Targets 17, 1111–1126.

Hass R. 2020. Role of MSC in the tumor microenvironment. Cancers 12, 2107.

Hassanzadeh A, Rahman HS, Markov A, Endjun JJ, Zekiy AO, Chartrand MS, Beheshtkhoo N, Kouhbanani MA, Marofi F, Nikoo M, Jarahian M. 2021. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived exosomes in regenerative medicine and cancer; overview of development, challenges, and opportunities. Stem Cell Research & Therapy 12, 297.

Huang Y, Wu Q, Tam PK. 2022. Immunomodulatory mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells and their potential clinical applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23, 10023.

Kim HK, Kim TJ. 2024. Current status and future prospects of stem cell therapy for infertile patients with premature ovarian insufficiency. Biomolecules 14, 242.

Kovic B, Jin X, Kennedy SA, Hylands M, Pędziwiatr M, Kuriyama A, Gomaa H, Lee Y, Katsura M, Tada M, Hong BY. 2018. Evaluating progression-free survival as a surrogate outcome for health-related quality of life in oncology: a systematic review and quantitative analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine 178, 1586–1596.

Liu J, Gao J, Liang Z, Gao C, Niu Q, Wu F, Zhang L. 2022. Mesenchymal stem cells and their microenvironment. Stem Cell Research & Therapy 13, 429.

Park HS, Chugh RM, Seok J, Cetin E, Mohammed H, Siblini H, Liakath Ali F, Ghasroldasht MM, Alkelani H, Elsharoud A, Ulin M. 2023. Comparison of the therapeutic effects between stem cells and exosomes in primary ovarian insufficiency: as promising as cells but different persistency and dosage. Stem Cell Research & Therapy 14, 165.

Peng Z, Fan W, Zhu B, Wang G, Sun J, Xiao C, Huang F, Tang R, Cheng Y, Huang Z, Liang Y. 2023. Lenvatinib combined with transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase III, randomized clinical trial (LAUNCH). Journal of Clinical Oncology 41, 117–127.

Pînzariu AC, Moscalu R, Soroceanu RP, Maranduca MA, Drochioi IC, Vlasceanu VI, Timofeiov S, Timofte DV, Huzum B, Moscalu M, Serban DN. 2025. The therapeutic use and potential of MSCs: advances in regenerative medicine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, 3084.

Poggi A, Varesano S, Zocchi MR. 2018. How to hit mesenchymal stromal cells and make the tumor microenvironment immunostimulant rather than immunosuppressive. Frontiers in Immunology 9, 262.

Sharma M, Bakshi AK, Mittapelly N, Gautam S, Marwaha D, Rai N, Singh N, Tiwari P, Agarwal N, Kumar A, Mishra PR. 2022. Recent updates on innovative approaches to overcome drug resistance for better outcomes in cancer. Journal of Controlled Release 346, 43–70.

Soliman H, Theret M, Scott W, Hill L, Underhill TM, Hinz B, Rossi FM. 2021. Multipotent stromal cells: one name, multiple identities. Cell Stem Cell 28, 1690–1707.

Somasundaram DB, Maher A, Aravindan S, Yu Z, Besch BM, Aravindan N. 2024. Mesenchymal stem cell-based TRAIL delivery inhibits the metastatic state of clinical therapy-resistant progressive neuroblastoma. World Journal of Pediatrics 20, 287–293.

Sundar S, Neal RD, Kehoe S. 2015. Diagnosis of ovarian cancer. BMJ 351.

Tagami N, Uchiyama M, Suzuki K, Shirai H, Seto T, Nishina S, Iida S. 2024. Isatuximab with pomalidomide-dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: post-marketing surveillance in Japan. International Journal of Hematology 120, 217–228.

Takayama Y, Kusamori K, Nishikawa M. 2021. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells as next-generation drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapeutics. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 18, 1627–1642.

Wang Y, Mou Q, Yi H, Meng Z. 2024. Transient fever: the sole treatment-related adverse event associated with mesenchymal stromal cells and solid clues from the real world. Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 19, 1263–1285.

Wattakiyanon N, Aminilari M, Xiang YY, Metser U, Prica A, Crump M, Kuruvilla J, Kukreti V, Kridel R, Vijenthira A, Bhella S. 2025. Outcomes of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma patients with partial metabolic response: A multi-center retrospective analysis. Advances in Radiation Oncology, 101744.

Wilczyński JR, Wilczyński M, Paradowska E. 2023. “DEPHENCE” system- a novel regimen of therapy that is urgently needed in the high-grade serous ovarian cancer- a focus on anti-cancer stem cell and anti-tumor microenvironment targeted therapies. Frontiers in Oncology 13, 1201497.

Ye J, Ji X, Dennis PA, Abdullah H, Mukhopadhyay P. 2020. Relationship between progression‐free survival, objective response rate, and overall survival in clinical trials of PD‐1/PD‐L1 immune checkpoint blockade: a meta‐analysis. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 108, 1274–1288.

Yi YF, Fan ZQ, Liu C, Ding YT, Chen Y, Wen J, Jian XH, Li YF. 2025. Immunomodulatory effects and clinical application of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells. World Journal of Stem Cells 17, 103560.

Yuan Z, Zhang Y, He X, Wang X, Wang X, Ren S, Su J, Shen J, Li X, Xiao Z. 2024. Engineering mesenchymal stem cells for premature ovarian failure: overcoming challenges and innovating therapeutic strategies. Theranostics 14, 6487.

Related Articles

Comparative responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to iron toxicity, drought and salinity stress: Morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular regulation mechanisms

Yaya Touré*, Brahima André Soumahoro, Arthur Martin Affery, Tchoa Koné, Mongomaké Koné, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 37-50, June 2026.

Biocontrol potential of indigenous fungal antagonists from soils naturally suppressive to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4

Arnel V. Somolostro*, Carolina D. Amper, Mellprie B. Marin, Darwin M. Apistar, Myrna G. Ballentes, Ailyn Q. Daniel, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 27-36, June 2026.

Basal stem rot of oil palm in Africa: Emerging epidemiology, pathogen diversity and future management challenges

Emmanuel Fumbuka Mabula*, Agatha Aloyce, Alfonce Leonard, Pavithravani B. Venkataramana, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 13-26, June 2026.

The role of aberrant glycosylation in autoimmune disease development and progression

Md. Nafis Fuad Prottoy, Sayad Md. Didarul Alam*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 1-12, June 2026.

Solvents’ influence on polyphenolic compound extractions from Lippia multiflora leaves (Mold, 1949), and their antioxidant activity

Kelemin Awa Koné*, Tagouèlbè Tiho, Mariam Sanogo, Casimir Kekou, Kouassi Hervé Tani, Int. J. Biosci. 28(5), 109-116, May 2026.

Economics of selected cropping system practices in the province of La Union, Philippines

Jennifer A. Cabading, V. Sagun Analyn, Angelina T. Gonzales*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(5), 97-108, May 2026.

The hidden burden: A review of toxicity from femoral orthopedic implants

Haroon Habib Beigh*, Nabeel Khan, Mirza Masroor Ali Beg, Int. J. Biosci. 28(5), 84-96, May 2026.