CUSTO EFETIVIDADE DE TERAPIAS CELULARES EM ÚLCERAS VASCULARES: UMA REVISÃO NARRATIVA

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic vascular ulcers represent a significant public health problem, associated with high healthcare costs and a negative impact on quality of life. Objective: Given the emergence of cell therapies as a therapeutic alternative, this narrative review aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate the available evidence on the cost-effectiveness of these interventions in the treatment of chronic vascular ulcers, compared to standard care. Methodology: The review was conducted through a systematic search in the main research databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, from January to December 2025. Studies that evaluated economic analyses of cell therapies in adults with venous, arterial, or diabetic ulcers were included. Results: After an initial screening of 11 publications, two studies fully met the eligibility criteria and presented detailed economic data. The results demonstrated that cell therapies were cost-effective in relation to standard care. For venous ulcers, the ECM product (extracellular matrix - OASIS®) proved to be economically dominant, with cost of US$86 per ulcer-free week. For diabetic ulcers, vCPM (viable cryopreserved placental membrane - Grafix®) was dominant, presenting lower cost and greater gain in QALYs. Despite the methodological limitations identified, the findings support the potential of cell therapies as cost-effective strategies in the management of chronic vascular ulcers. Conclusion: Selected cell therapies emerge as cost-effective strategies for managing chronic vascular ulcers, with the capacity to guide clinical decision-making processes and policies on technology incorporation.