Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment process which involves extracting stem cells from a patient's blood stream, administering high doses of chemotherapy to eradicate the immune system, and then re-infusing the stem cells to allow for recovery of immune functioning. AHSCT resets the immune system and halts the inflammatory process that drives disease progression.
AHSCT is a recognized as a safe and highly effective immune reconstitution therapy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The efficacy of AHSCT therapy has been demonstrated in several studies resulting in extended periods of disease remission, improvement in disability, and the absence of new MRI lesions. While AHSCT is not a cure to MS itself, proper functioning of the immune system post-chemotherapy can prevent myelin deterioration, further damage to myelin and restore proper electrical flow within the nervous system.
Studies and clinical trials have shown that AHSCT is a safe and effective therapeutic approach to reduce or eliminate a series of relapses, cease further disease progression, and lessen effects of the disorder. The reasons for this therapy's success are its lower toxicity and ability to replace the immune system, which improves disability after treatment.
