Stem cell therapy in scleroderma.
Scleroderma has a high mortality rate, especially in patients with early diffuse disease and poor prognostic features (such as high skin scores and internal organ involvement). In addition, there is no proven therapy for this disease. Finally, scleroderma has an autoimmune-related pathogenesis, particularly in early illness. In this setting, stem cell therapy is a reasonable potential choice. The rationale behind high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and stem cell transplantation in scleroderma, the regimens used, and the recent data from pilot studies are reviewed. The encouraging data, proper patient selection criteria, and appropriate therapy regimen make controlled studies appropriate, and such studies are currently under way in Europe and are soon to begin in the United States.
Braun-Moscovici
Yolanda
Y
Rheumatology Division, UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Furst
Daniel E
DE
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005060:Europe; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents