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Lymphocyte immunotherapy in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage: systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Recurrent miscarriage (RM) affects up to 2–3% of couples of reproductive age. There are several causes for this condition, including immunologic. The embryo is considered an allograft, subject to the rejection mechanisms of the maternal immune system. Immunotherapy involving immunization with lymphocytes is considered in cases of idiopathic RM. However, there is still no consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of this therapy.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the data available in the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of the use of immunotherapy with lymphocytes in couples with history of RM. Searches in PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted, using the following keywords: “recurrent miscarriage,” “lymphocyte immunotherapy,” and “meta-analysis.” Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan), version 5.3.

Results

Six published meta-analysis were retrieved; two found no improvements in the rate of live births after the use of immunization with lymphocytes in the treatment of RM, and four found a beneficial effect of the use of immunotherapy with lymphocytes in cases of RM, with significant improvements in the rate of live births.

Conclusion

Data available in the literature supports the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with lymphocytes in cases of RM without an identified cause.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

    Marcelo Borges Cavalcante

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Bahia Federal University (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil

    Manoel Sarno

  3. Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine-São Paulo Federal University (EPM-UNIFESP), Rua Belchior de Azevedo, 156 apto. 111 Torre Vitoria, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Edward Araujo Júnior

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Fabricio Da Silva Costa

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Ricardo Barini

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  1. Marcelo Borges Cavalcante
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  2. Manoel Sarno
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  3. Edward Araujo Júnior
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  4. Fabricio Da Silva Costa
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Correspondence to Edward Araujo Júnior.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Cavalcante, M.B., Sarno, M., Araujo Júnior, E. et al. Lymphocyte immunotherapy in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage: systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 295, 511–518 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4270-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4270-z

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