title: Autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis: benefits and risks.
abstract: Autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation has been evaluated over the last years as a possible new therapeutic strategy in severe forms of multiple sclerosis unresponsive to the approved therapies. Up to now, more than 400 patients have been treated and numerous are the phase I and phase II studies which addressed the feasibility of this treatment, the efficacy, side effects and transplant-related mortality. The clinical response is strongly related to the intensity of the conditioning regimen utilized as well as to the phase of the disease course in which the therapy is carried out. Rapidly evolving multiple sclerosis with a relapsing-remitting clinical course and MRI signs of activity are the cases that can take more advantage. The risk of mortality, which dropped in the last years to 2-3%, is still the main problem of this powerful therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capello
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vuolo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gualandi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Van Lint
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roccatagliata
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonzano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pardini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uccelli
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancardi
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome