Autologous stem cell transplantation for severe autoimmune diseases: a 10-year experience.
The first autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Europe for a patient with severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was performed in Genoa in 1996. Since then, 32 patients with a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases (ADs) received autologous transplants, 22 of them with multiple sclerosis (MS). There were no fatal adverse events. All patients had complete or very good partial remissions, but relapses were frequent, especially in SLE, though never as aggressive as pretransplant. The mechanism of action of this intervention remains not completely understood, as briefly discussed here.
Gualandi
F
F
Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Center, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria S. Martino, Italy.
Bruno
B
B
Van Lint
M T
MT
Luchetti
S
S
Uccelli
A
A
Capello
E
E
Mancardi
G L
GL
Bacigalupo
A
A
Marmont
A
A
D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors