A path to a cure for Multiple Sclerosis?
In the last few years, researchers have been making strides in many areas to find a cure. My feeling is that stem cells transplant therapy is the most promising path to a cure. The technique involves using autologous non-myeloablative cells to reset your immune system.
The intention of the procedure is to wipe out the immune system and then, with one’s own cells, reconstitute it with the hope that the new cells will not target myelin. The theory is to get rid of bad cells and reconstitute it with new cells from one’s own body so hopefully they haven’t been triggered yet to attach to myelin. Non-myeloablative autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation is intended for patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
Between January, 2003, and February, 2005, 21 patients were treated 17 of 21 patients (81%) improved by at least 1 point on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and five patients (24%) relapsed but achieved remission after further immunosuppression. After a mean of 37 months (range24—48 months), all patients were free from progression (no deterioration in EDSS score), and 16 were free of relapses.
Early results show Non-myeloablative autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation was able to reverses neurological deficits, but these results need to be confirmed in a randomized trial.
Studies were initiated by Richard K. Burt, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Immunotherapy Northwestern University Department of Medicine. Please Visit Disability Connections, New Treatment page to watch part 1 and 2 of Dr. Burt’s lecture on Non-myeloablative autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation or to learn more, contact Northwestern University Division of Immunotherapy.
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Source accessed June 21, 2010:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1474-4422%2809%2970017-1/abstract
Categories: Multiple Scleroses Research
Tags: Multiple Sclerosis Reasearch News MS Treatments
Is stem cell research as controversial as it used to be? It seems like years ago there was a big debate about it, and now people have warmed up to the idea. If it means people's lives can be saved from disease, then the research is well worth it.
Candace
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I too feel strongly that this will be a path to real healing once they really understand how to best proceed. (and how remylination works-there is still so much that is not understood about the brain and immune system) still I hope that this will lead to a cure, and not just be another "bandaid" for people with MS.
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Yes, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only scientifically-proven medical therapy proven to cure MS. I did it myself and am cured of MS. You can read more in-depth of the science of it here. . .
http://themscure.blogspot.com/2010/06/stem-cell-transplantation-reference.html
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