Stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis: rationale and status report.
The rationale for stem cell transplantation is feasible and tests the hypothesis that the immune system is important in the pathogenesis of SSc in carefully selected patients. At the present time, results from pilot studies of SCT in systemic sclerosis are moderately encouraging, although further refinements in SCT treatment protocols are probably necessary. Finally, the time for a controlled study of SCT is rapidly approaching.
Furst
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Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. crgdef@vmmc.org
Tyndall
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D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome