[Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of autoimmune diseases].
OBJECTIVE
During the past ten years, more than 1000 patients suffering from severe autoimmune disease have received an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant. These new therapeutic have been used in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.


BACKGROUND
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has become a curative option for condition with very poor prognosis as severe systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus or other systemic diseases. This review summarizes the current experience in the phase I and II clinical trials in Europe and North America. We describe the main results and the limits of stem cell transplantation in systemic diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant in the treatment of autoimmune disease has evolved from a experimental concept to a clinically feasible and powerful therapy for selected patients with severe disease.
Mahevas
M
M
Service de médecine interne, hôpital Nord, CHU d'Amiens, place Victor-Pauchet, 80054 Amiens cedex 1, France. mahevasm@yahoo.fr <mahevasm@yahoo.fr>
Vaida
I
I
Le Page
L
L
Sid-Idris
S
S
Royer
B
B
Garedi
R
R
Damaj
G
G
Duhaut
P
P
Claisse
J-F
JF
Ducroix
J-P
JP
Marolleau
J-P
JP
D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000601:surgery; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000601:surgery; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000601:surgery; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000601:surgery