Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and causes a wide variety of symptoms. It is a lifelong condition with no cure. However, there are some treatments available out there and, in this blog, we aim to give a brief overview of one, haematopoietic stem cell transplant or HSCT.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: The treatment” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
Haematopoietic stem cell transplant\u00a0is an \u201cintense chemotherapy treatment for MS,\u201d says the MS Society<\/a>. \u201cIt aims to stop the damage MS causes by wiping out and then regrowing your immune system, using your stem cells.\u201d<\/p>\n By \u2018resetting\u2019 the patient\u2019s immune system, the hope is it can stop their immune system from attacking their central nervous system.<\/p>\n Haematopoietic stem cells are immature blood cells that can develop into any blood cells, including red and white. These cells can be found in three places\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n For the transplant, the patient\u2019s own bone marrow cells are used.<\/p>\n This treatment has been tested on individuals who suffer from both relapsing and progressive MS.\u00a0Clinical trials<\/a>\u00a0have shown that HSCT can reduce relapses for where some people had their symptoms stabilise or get better and some had improvements in their disabilities. The only issue is that these improvements don\u2019t always last.<\/p>\n For progressive MS there have been encouraging results for people if they are treated early and there are still signs of inflammation. HSCT has been shown to slow the worsening of the condition for some with early progressive MS. However, for those without the inflammation and those with a high level of disability, the treatment isn\u2019t as successful.<\/p>\n Individuals who could benefit best from this treatment are those with frequent relapses even if they are (DMTs), are early on in their disease, are not significantly disabled, or have signs of active inflammation.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: The process” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n The whole process takes several stages \u2013 here is the simplified version but this video from\u00a0HCAHealthcare<\/a> has more details.<\/p>\n Stage 1 \u2013 Harvesting the stem cells<\/p>\n Stage 2 – A dose of Chemotherapy to wipe up the immune system and the stem cells are treated and stored.<\/p>\n Stage 3 \u2013 The stem cells are re-introduced into the body at which point you will be moved into isolation as you\u2019re vulnerable to infection at this stage.<\/p>\n Stage 4 \u2013 Once you are done isolating you will then have follow-up appointments to ensure everything is going to plan<\/p>\n Something to keep in mind with this treatment is that it can take some time to show positive impacts due to the nature of the process.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: Stem cells” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n As you can see, stem cells are incredible. They can currently treat over 80 conditions worldwide with further research and clinical trials revealing their potential. Although bone marrow and cord blood stem cells are different, cord blood cells have equally amazing possibilities. If you are curious about stem cell storage and how you can go about providing your family with this safety net, request your Welcome Pack below.<\/p>\n The further away in the family tree, the less likely that you can use that baby\u2019s stem cells as the chances of even partially matching get smaller.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: Stem cells” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n Connick, P., Kolappan, M., Crawley, C., Webber, D. J., Patani, R., Michell, A. W., Du, M. Q., Luan, S. L., Altmann, D. R., Thompson, A. J., Compston, A., Scott, M. A., Miller, D. H., & Chandran, S. (2012). Autologous mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: an open-label phase 2a proof-of-concept study. The Lancet. Neurology<\/em>,\u00a011<\/em>(2), 150\u2013156. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1474-4422(11)70305-2<\/a><\/p>\n Burt, R. K., Balabanov, R., Burman, J., Sharrack, B., Snowden, J. A., Oliveira, M. C., Fagius, J., Rose, J., Nelson, F., Barreira, A. A., Carlson, K., Han, X., Moraes, D., Morgan, A., Quigley, K., Yaung, K., Buckley, R., Alldredge, C., Clendenan, A., Calvario, M. A., \u2026 Helenowski, I. B. (2019). Effect of Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation vs Continued Disease-Modifying Therapy on Disease Progression in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA<\/em>,\u00a0321<\/em>(2), 165\u2013174. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1001\/jama.2018.18743<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”RWP Blog” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ background_color=”#bd114f” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n Find out more about cord blood banking by downloading a Welcome Pack now.<\/p>\n\n <\/p> \n
The process<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Stem cells<\/strong><\/h2>\n
References<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Request a Welcome Pack<\/h2>\n
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