News
April 20, 2018
Stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS)
There are over 100,000 people in the UK who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS).The majority of patients present with a relapse-remission pattern of the disease; however, more than 80% will progress to develop disability, with 40% of patients requiring a wheelchair 10 years after diagnosis.
Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) is being used as an alternative treatment for patients with relapse-remission MS. During this treatment your stem cells are harvested from your body before resetting your immune system and reinfusing your stem cells. This process encourages your immune system to stop attacking itself and the stem cells to repair the damage that has already been done.
London Bridge Hospital is pleased to offer AHSCT to MS patients who meet the acceptance criteria to undergo this treatment.
HSCT process
How does stem cell treatment for MS work?
Criteria for treatment
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for treatment:
- Aged 18-65
- A firm diagnosis of MS (using the McDonald's criteria) within the last 15 years
- If you have relapsing MS, documentation to show that treatment with one of the high efficacy disease modifying drugs has been unsuccessful
- If you have primary, progressive MS (PPMS), a lumbar puncture confirming oligoclonal bands within the spinal fluid
- Mobility score (EDSS) between 0-6.5 (with or without bilateral assistance, such as two sticks or a rollator frame)
- Active MS as defined by an MRI showing one enhancing lesion after being off steroids for one month or two or more new T2 lesions within the last 12 months compared to a comparative scan that was done within the last 2 to 3 years
- Approval from the London MS-AHSCT Collaborative Group
Contact us
If you would like to know more about Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for MS contact us today.