Stem cells used to treat MS

Researchers in the US have shown, in a small study, that stem cell transplants may help sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system. The study showed that transplants of stem cells appeared to halt the deterioration of MS patients.

The results of the research were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Denver last week. The research was carried out by doctors from the University of Washington Medical Centre in Seattle. Twenty-six people suffering from severe MS were studied. Stem cells were extracted from their blood, and cells that were attacking the immune system were removed from the sample. The healthy cells were returned to the patient in the hope that they would 'eventually reconstitute into healthy immune system cells and the disease process can be stopped', said Dr George Kraft, who led the study.

Following the stem cell transplant, 20 of the patients were found to be stable, having no change in their condition. The other six showed some improvement in their condition. One year after the treatment, only three of the patients were showing brain lesions (a sign of MS) and only two had needed to take drugs to relieve their symptoms. However, three of the patients in the study suffered unexplained complications after their treatment, and two of them died. Further research is planned in order to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment and eliminate side-effects.

The research was welcomed by Christine Jones, head of the MS Trust. She said 'there are currently few effective therapies available. We therefore welcome the prospect of any new treatment which may slow the progression of disability and reduce the amount of scarring or lesions on the brain'.