Fact or Fiction? Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia. BC Centre for Vulvar Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 2018;23((1):):65-70.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to summarize and review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS). MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception up to May 7, 2018. RESULTS Seven observational studies were identified, with a total of 98 patients. Both ADSCs and PRP were reported to improve symptoms, quality of life measures, as well as clinical and histological signs of vulvar LS. There is a strong risk of biased estimates of treatment effect. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence is weak for ADSCs and/or PRP as treatment for vulvar LS. Further research is needed before recommending this therapy.
Study details
Study Design : Systematic Review
Language : English
Credits : Bibliographic data from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine