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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2/2017

01-02-2017 | Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine

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

Authors: Marcelo Borges Cavalcante, Manoel Sarno, Edward Araujo Júnior, Fabricio Da Silva Costa, Ricardo Barini

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2017

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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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Metadata
Title
Lymphocyte immunotherapy in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Marcelo Borges Cavalcante
Manoel Sarno
Edward Araujo Júnior
Fabricio Da Silva Costa
Ricardo Barini
Publication date
01-02-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4270-z

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