HSCT

Study of Stem Cell Therapy for Highly Active RRMS Honored by CR Forum

The MISTĀ Phase 2 clinical trial, supporting the potential of hematopoietic (blood cell-producing)Ā stem cell transplant (HSCT) to significantly slow disability progression in highly activeĀ relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)Ā patients, has received a Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research (CR) Forum. Five years after the transplant, most…

Blood Stem Cell Transplant Better than DMTs at Reducing Risk of Disease Progression in RRMS

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant is better than disease-modifying therapies (DMT) at reducing the risk of disease progression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), results from the MIST clinical trial show. The study ā€œEffect of Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation vs Continued Disease-Modifying Therapy on Disease Progression…

Stem Cell Treatment for MS: Can’t We Move Any Faster?

There is some good news about stem cell therapy. A just-published study concludes that one form of human stem cell therapy is more effective at treating multiple sclerosis than the best of the MS medications being used currently. The not-so-good news is that approval of this…

Phoebeā€™s HSCT Story: Back home (Last in a Series)

Phoebe Scopes was the first international patient to receive Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) therapy for multiple sclerosis in Moscow. In this fourth, and last, part of her story, we join Phoebe on her return home to the London. Ian: What is your post-HSCT MS state from getting home…

Phoebe Scopes, British HSCT Pioneer in Moscow, Part 2

Last week, I introduced you to Phoebe Scopes, the very first MS patient from another country to undergoĀ hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Moscow. Today, in Part 2, Ā we pick up the story of the 46-year-old who lives in London. Ian: So, you had done lots of research. How…

HSCT in Moscow, Day by Day

Doesnā€™t time fly? It seems only yesterday that I was preparing to goĀ to Moscow, yet tomorrow will be three weeks since my return. I have written enough about my experiences at the A.A. Maximov center so, today, weā€™ll take a look at how HSCT progresses, step by step. The…

Are the Benefits Worth the Risks of Lemtrada?

My neurologist calls Lemtrada “HSCT lite.” Ā She says that not only is the drug able to reduce exacerbations and limit the overall progression of multiple sclerosis, it’s actually reversed some symptoms in some of her patients. Ā  I guess I’m going to find out if she’s right about…

#ECTRIMS2016 – Stem Cell Transplantation Shows High Efficiency

A high fraction of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who underwent a transplant with their own bone marrow stem cells after immunosupression therapy, show no signs of disease activity after treatment, according to a new study. The results were presented inĀ a talk, ā€œClinical experience in aggressive multiple sclerosis treatment with…

James Received HSCT for Free, as He Lives in the UK

Virtually all the talk about availability of HSCT1 as an MS treatment includes the need to travel long distances to other countries, but U.K. residents can receive the treatment in London, avoiding the journey overseas.Ā Whatā€™s more, it is provided through the countryā€™s social National Health Service (NHS) so, like…

Welcome or Not, FDA Focuses on Stem Cell Treatments

News that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to hold a public hearing next month to consider greater oversight of stem cell clinics operating in the country is as welcome as it is late. I say “late” because, while the regulators have been twiddling their fingers,…

MS life expectancy discussed but not all treatments considered

When talking about how treatments affect MS life expectancy, itā€™s wrong to leave out HSCT. Sorry, but itā€™s just plain wrong. How can anyone write a supposedly authoritative article about MS and life expectancy, talk about modifying how the disease affects people who have it, yet totally ignore potentially the…