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The promise of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 31, pages 521–524 (2003)Cite this article

Summary:

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being increasingly utilized for the treatment of a whole spectrum of severe autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional therapy. Although allogeneic HSCT has been followed by durable complete remission in a restricted number of patients with coincidental disease, the autologous procedure is generally preferred because of its lesser toxicity. Most autoimmune diseases are the consequence of a multistep process, mainly originating from the interplay of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. It has been postulated that if immunosuppressive regimens can eliminate or effectively reduce the level of autoreactive T and B cells, then regeneration of de novo immunity even in the autologous setting may bypass the initial breakdown of self-tolerance and ensure prolonged disease remission. As mentioned in a recent review of this field, protocol design including conditioning regimen, patient selection, stem cell source and final outcome are likely to be disease-specific. The following is a summary of the 2002 International Bone Marrow Transplantation Registry/American Society of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation (IBMTR/ASBMT) satellite symposium in Orlando, Florida on 24 February 2002 on ‘Expanding the Promise of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Autoimmune Diseases’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwestern University Department of Medicine, Division of Immunotherapy, Chicago, IL, USA

    R K Burt, A E Traynor & R Craig

  2. Divisione di Ematologia II, Centro Trapianti di Midollo Osseo, Azienda Ospedaliera S Martino, Genoa, Italy

    A M Marmont

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  1. R K Burt
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  2. A E Traynor
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  3. R Craig
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  4. A M Marmont
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Burt, R., Traynor, A., Craig, R. et al. The promise of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases. Bone Marrow Transplant 31, 521–524 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1703868

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