HLA-haplotype redundancy and rareness in Canadian Blood Services' Stem Cell Registry and Cord Blood Bank: Novel metrics for optimizing utility.

Background: The utility of unrelated donor registries that support allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation could be optimized through greater understanding of redundancy and rareness of HLA phenotypes.

Methods: HLA phenotype rareness was determined using known HLA haplotype frequencies. Donor redundancy was determined through pairwise comparison of donor HLA profiles within an inventory.

Humoral and Cellular Response of Transplant Recipients to a Third Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: High rates of nonresponse to 2 doses of mRNA severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine have been reported in transplant recipients. Several studies have investigated the efficacy of a third dose in this population. However, efficacy remains unclear, as response rates vary across studies.

Clinical Outcomes of Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Using Ex Vivo Expansion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Studies.

Greater use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is limited by the number of cells in banked units. Ex vivo culture strategies have been increasingly evaluated in controlled studies, but their impact on transplantation-related outcomes remains uncertain owing to the small patient numbers in these studies, necessitating an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases to March 18, 2022.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of mesenchymal stromal cells to treat coronavirus disease 2019: is it too late?

Background Aims: Evidence regarding the extent that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may improve clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been limited by marked inter-study heterogeneity, inconsistent product characterization and appreciable risk of bias (RoB). Given the evolution of treatment options and trajectory of the pandemic, an updated analysis of high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed for a timely and conclusive understanding of the effectiveness of MSCs.

Methods: A systematic literature search through March 30, 2022, identified all English language, full-text randomized controlled trials examining the use of MSCs in the treatment of COVID-19.

Can GCSF-stimulated donor lymphocyte infusions improve outcomes for relapsed disease following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) can produce graft-versus tumor effects to treat relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, however, durable responses remain uncommon. A systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to clarify whether DLI collected after stimulation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF; G-DLI) can improve clinical outcomes. Sixteen studies (4 controlled) involving 585 patients were identified in a systematic search up to 17 September 2020.

Updated Living Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Trials of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Treat COVID-19: A Framework for Accelerated Synthesis of Trial Evidence for Rapid Approval-FASTER Approval.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19; however, early evidence is based on few studies with marked interstudy heterogeneity. The second iteration of our living systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates a framework needed for synthesizing evidence from high-quality studies to accelerate consideration for approval.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted on November 15, 2021, to identify all English-language, full-text, and controlled clinical studies examining MSCs to treat COVID-19 (PROSPERO: CRD42021225431).

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-based therapies for COVID-19: First iteration of a living systematic review and meta-analysis: MSCs and COVID-19.

Background: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and their secreted products are a promising therapy for COVID-19 given their immunomodulatory and tissue repair capabilities. Many small studies were launched at the onset of the pandemic, and repeated meta-analysis is critical to obtain timely and sufficient statistical power to determine efficacy.

Methods And Findings: All English-language published studies identified in our systematic search (up to February 3, 2021) examining the use of MSC-derived products to treat patients with COVID-19 were identified.

A Portrait of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

The management of COVID-19 in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients represents a special challenge given the variable states of immune dysregulation and altered vaccine efficacy in this population. A systematic search (Ovid Medline and Embase on 1 June 2021) was needed to better understand the presenting features, prognostic factors, and treatment options. Of 897 records, 29 studies were identified in our search.

Use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to improve chimeric antigen-receptor T cell therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies.

Background: Chimeric antigen-receptor T (CAR-T) cells represent great promise in cancer treatment. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in preclinical studies has enabled the development of enhanced CAR-T products with improved function and reduced toxicity.

Methods: A systematic review of preclinical animal studies was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of this approach.

Mesenchymal stromal cells as a therapeutic intervention for COVID-19: a living systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have significant immunomodulatory and tissue repair capabilities, mediated partly by conditioned media or through secreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs). Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause mild to life-threatening illness due to activated immune responses that may be dampened by MSCs or their secretome. Many clinical studies of MSCs have been launched since the beginning of the global pandemic, however, few have been completed and most lack power to assess efficacy.

MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Preclinical Animal Models of Bone Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objective: Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are a promising treatment for bone injuries, although studies remain preclinical. A systematic review and meta-analysis can assess the efficacy of MSC-EVs and identify treatment aspects associated with enhanced bone repair.

Methods: English language, preclinical, controlled, in vivo studies identified in our systematic search (up to May 8, 2020) examining the use of MSC-EVs in bone healing were included.

MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles to Heal Diabetic Wounds: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Animal Studies.

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC-EVs) have shown promise in wound healing. Their use in diabetic wounds specifically, however, remains pre-clinical and their efficacy remains uncertain less clear. A systematic review of preclinical studies is needed to determine the efficacy of MSC-EVs in the treatment of diabetic wounds to accelerate the clinical translation of this cell-based therapy.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Preclinical Animal Models of Tumor Growth: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cell derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been implicated in the regulation of tumor growth. Studies remain preclinical with effects ranging from inhibition of tumor growth to cancer progression. A systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to clarify the effect of MSC-EVs on tumor growth to facilitate potential translation to clinical trials.

Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for melasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical medications has shown promising but variable results in the treatment of melasma.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for the treatment of melasma.

Methods: This study followed PRISMA guidelines.

Persistence of CRISPR/Cas9 gene edited hematopoietic stem cells following transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies.

Gene editing blood-derived cells is an attractive approach to cure selected monogenic diseases but remains experimental. A systematic search of preclinical controlled studies is needed to determine the persistence of edited cells following reinfusion. All studies identified in our systematic search (to 20 October 2020) examining the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in blood-derived cells for transplantation were included.