Brain pathology of a patient 7years after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis.

Publication Title

Journal of the neurological sciences

Authors

Annette Wundes
J D Bowen, Multiple Sclerosis Center (P.R., A.M., P.Q., L.K.J.H., B.G., J.D.B.), Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WashingtonFollow
George H Kraft
Kenneth R Maravilla
Bernadette McLaughlin
Gloria von Geldern
George Georges
Richard A Nash
Jian-Qiang Lu

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-15-2017

Keywords

Autografts; Brain; Fatal Outcome; Female; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive; Treatment Outcome; White Matter

Abstract

Aggressive immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) can be an effective treatment for severe multiple sclerosis (MS), but not all stages of disease may benefit equally. The case of a 49-year-old woman with advanced secondary-progressive MS whose clinical course was not improved by aHSCT and who seven years after transplantation succumbed to complications of severe MS disease-related disability is presented. Autopsy findings of ongoing neurodegeneration despite only rare infiltrating T-lymphocytes illustrate that late MS disease may not represent a suitable disease stage for aHSCT.

Area of Special Interest

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Specialty/Research Institute

Neurosciences