Reviewed by: Dr. Omar Abbas | Licensed Physician | USA
Key Takeaways
- Because many stem cell therapies are currently not FDA approved, the term “multiple sclerosis stem cell treatment” is misleading – treatments refer to approaches that are FDA approved.
- A randomized controlled trial has shown that up to 73% of patients have witnessed an improvement in their condition after having stem cell therapy.
- Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) is the most popular form of therapy for patients with MS.
- MSC (Mesenchymal Stem Cell) therapy is also being studied for its potential to help improve quality of life for MS patients.
A lot of our readers ask us if there’s currently a Multiple Sclerosis stem cell treatment they can access. But before we get into that, the term “treatment” only refers to options that are approved by the FDA. So technically, stem cells are not classed as treatments, but as therapies.
With that cleared up, let’s look at some of the potential stem cell options patients with MS currently have available.
Stem Cells and Multiple Sclerosis
Using stem cells is a relatively new approach to helping people suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. Before they were introduced, one of the options that was given to patients were a range of medications such as Corticosteroids, which won’t cure the condition but may help reduce inflammation a person endures when going through a flare up.
Luckily, there are many new FDA approved treatments for MS beyond corticosteroids. These are referred to as “disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)” and directly work on the immune system targeting the immune cells that cause MS.[4] The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) provides comprehensive guidelines on the use of DMTs for MS.
But what about stem cells for MS?
Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) was first introduced in 1995 as a new treatment approach for people with severe or hard-to-treat forms of the disease.[5] The goal was to “reset” the immune system to stop it from attacking the body, which is what causes damage in MS. This therapy offered hope for patients who didn’t respond well to traditional medications.
The reality is that using stem cells to treat MS are not without their side effects. After the initial introduction of healthy stem cells to the patient’s body, they may become more susceptible to infections. This is due to a weakened immune system, which needs time to grow back stronger.
Can Stem Cells Cure Multiple Sclerosis?
Right now, there’s no conclusive data that shows stem cell therapies can cure multiple sclerosis – anyone who is promising a cure is lying to you.
There is, however, some positive data on the improvements it can make to a person’s quality of life…
An online paper published by BMJ, highlights a Swedish study that assessed 231 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. All of them were given an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), and from those patients, 73% had reduced fare ups after five years and 65% after 10 years. 54% of patients from the study with baseline disability saw a reduction in the severity of their symptoms.
Types of Stem Cell Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis
Below, we’ll cover some of the different options patients have when turning to stem cell clinics for multiple sclerosis.
Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT/HSCT)
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) is a treatment that helps “reset” your immune system. It begins by collecting your own healthy stem cells. Then, you receive a special dose of chemotherapy designed to reduce the harmful immune cells causing problems. After that, your stem cells are returned to your body to help rebuild a healthier immune system.
This won’t cure a patient’s MS, but it may significantly reduce the number of relapses a patient experiences.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy (MSC Therapy)
MSCs are adult stem cells that aim to calm immune attacks and reduce inflammation.They are usually collected from bone marrow, fat tissue, or the umbilical cord, then processed and grown in the lab before being given back to the patient—often through an IV or into the spinal fluid. Studies are currently mixed, with some showing promising results for the reduction of inflammation and others showing no improvements at all.
MSC-Derived Neural Progenitors (MSC-NPs)
MSC-derived neural progenitors (MSC-NPs) are a newer form of stem cell therapy being studied for progressive multiple sclerosis. These cells are made from mesenchymal stem cells and are injected into the spinal fluid to directly target the brain and spinal cord. Early research, including a Phase II clinical trial, shows that MSC-NPs may help repair nerve damage, improve walking ability and bladder function, and slow brain shrinkage, especially in patients with more advanced disability. More studies are underway to confirm long-term results.[1–3]
Key Considerations
- Effectiveness: AHSCT has the strongest evidence for slowing progression in MS and improving flare ups and symptoms.
- Potential Risks: AHSCT carries risks like infections and chemotherapy side effects, whereas MSC therapies are generally safer but less proven.
- Approval Status: None are FDA-approved for MS; all are experimental and typically offered through clinical trials.
Signing Off
The landscape of stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis shows promise, with options like AHSCT, MSC therapy, and MSC-NPs offering potential improvements in quality of life for eligible patients. While none of these are a cure, research shows that using stem cells may improve symptoms and decrease flare-ups in many cases.
Every patient’s MS journey is unique—if you would like help finding a stem cell clinic that focuses on MS, please click the button below and fill out the form.
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References:
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Neural Progenitors Are Enriched in Cell Signaling Molecules Implicated in Their Therapeutic Effect in Multiple Sclerosis. Harris VK, Wollowitz J, Greenwald J, Carlson AL, Sadiq SA. PloS One. 2023;18(8):e0290069. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0290069.
- The Evolution of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: From Concept to Clinic. Ghareghani M, Arneaud A, Rivest S. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 2024;18:1428652. doi:10.3389/fncel.2024.1428652.
- Efficacy of Intrathecal Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Neural Progenitor Therapy in Progressive MS: Results From a Phase II, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Harris VK, Stark J, Williams A, et al. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2024;15(1):151. doi:10.1186/s13287-024-03765-6.
- Rae-Grant, Alexander, et al. “Comprehensive systematic review summary: Disease-modifying therapies for adults with multiple sclerosis: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.” Neurology 90.17 (2018): 789-800.
- Nabizadeh, Fardin, et al. “Autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Neurology and Therapy 11.4 (2022): 1553-1569.
