Improved efficacy with no increase in adverse or serious adverse events was demonstrated with mesenchymal stem cells as compared with control subjects for the treatment of perianal Crohn’s disease (CD), a recent study found. The systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells used to treat perianal CD. Researchers found:

• 11 studies (3 with a comparison arm) were included in the meta-analysis.

• There were no significant increases in adverse events (OR=1.07) or serious adverse events (OR=0.81) in patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells.
• Mesenchymal stem cells were associated with improved healing when compared with control participants at primary end points of 6 to 24 weeks (OR=3.06) and 24 to 52 weeks (OR=2.37).