Evaluating Stem Cell Therapy for Progressive MS

A publication this week in BMJ Open has outlined a number of studies evaluating the use of stem cell therapy for people with progressive multiple sclerosis. These trials, being conducted by a team from the University of Bristol, have a number of defining features.

Firstly, the procedure being applied is non-myeloablative, that is using a much lower intensity chemotherapy before transplantation of the autologous (from self) bone marrow. In the original trial, known as SIAMMS, this process was shown to be well-tolerated and have some potential benefits. Secondly, they are using unfiltered bone marrow, allowing for multiple cell types to be involved in repair.