title: [Clinical outcome 6 years after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) remains as an experimental treatment for severe forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). We describe the clinical outcome of 14 patients included in a protocol of AHSCT after a median follow-up period of 6 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 patients (5 relapsing-remitting and 9 secondary progressive) with a median number of relapses in the year before of 3 (1-7), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 6 (4.5-6.5) and decile of the multiple Sclerosis Severity Store (MSSS) 9 (7-10) were included. The procedure included carmustine, cyclophosphamide, antithymocyte globulin and T-cell depletion by CD34+ selection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 4.5-year progression-free survival was 71%. The 6 year actuarial probability of progression-free survival was 62.5% and the disease activity-free survival of 7.1%. The median EDSS was 6 (4-8.5) and the MSSS 8 (5-10). Only 2 patients presented enhanced T1 lesions. No long-term complications related to the procedure were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AHSCT cannot be deemed a curative treatment but may cause prolonged stabilisation or change the aggressive course of the disease.
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hematología Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona. asaiz@clinic.ub.es
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Saiz
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Blanco
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Berenguer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gómez-Choco
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Carreras
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Arbizu
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Graus
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome