Stem cells could give some people with MS a fighting chance
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by Aimee Keenan-Greene
Greek researchers writing in the Journal Neurology say a phase I/II study conducted in a single center to investigate the effect of hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), shows promise.
Scientists report clinical and MRI results of 35 patients with aggressive MS treated with HSCT had a survival rate of 25 percent after an 11 year median.
Disease progression-free survival at 15 years is 44 percent for patients with active central nervous system disease and 10 percent for those without (p = 0.01).
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a procedure in which progenitor cells capable of reconstituting normal bone marrow function are administered. Types of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are typically categorized based on the source of progenitor cells used in the transplant. These cells have 3 main sources: the patient (an autologous transplant), someone besides the patient (an allogeneic transplant), or donated umbilical cord blood (a cord blood or umbilical cord blood transplant), according to eMedicine.
Researchers say HSCT is not a therapy for the general population of patients with MS but could save the lives of those with aggressive cases, those still in the inflammatory phase of the disease, and those with the malignant form.
HSCT has an impressive and sustained effect in suppressing disease activity on MRI. However, two patients died, at 2 months and 2.5 years, from transplant-related complications - one of aspergillosis, one of pulmonary hemorrhage.
Gadolinium-enhancing lesions were significantly reduced after mobilization but were 'maximally and persistently diminished' post-HSCT.
"This small case series of selected stem cell recipients has many methodological issues, but it provides important long-term data for this emerging and controversial therapy. Importantly, stem cell transplants as performed at this center do not appear to be a cure for MS, as only 25 percent of patients had stabilized after 15 years. Future studies of HSCT must clarify the optimal candidate and the most efficacious conditioning regimen.", Robert T. Naismith, MD, wrote in the Journal Watch Neurology .
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 400,000 Americans and 2.1 million people worldwide have MS.
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