Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis: Long Term Follow-Up

Researchers previously reported promising initial results of autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) in 15 patients followed for a median of 6 months in a single-center, open-label, unblinded case series (Bone Marrow Transplant 1997; 20:631). Now, the researchers report 15-year outcomes of this study (median follow-up, 11 years), expanded to include a total of 35 patients who had recent worsening of disability.

Two patients died (6%) directly after the transplant (1 of aspergillosis, 1 of pulmonary hemorrhage); 2 others died of MS (10 and 14 years posttransplant). Sixteen patients (46%) showed improvement on the Expanded Disability Status Scale after HSCT. Improvements lasted a median of 2 years; s…