Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant – HSCT

The goal of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is to reset the immune system and stop inflammation that contributes to MS. A specific type of HSCT, “autologous,” or aHSCT, uses stem cells from your own body instead of using donor stem cells.

AHSCT is considered the safest form of HSCT in MS. There is growing evidence that aHSCT may be highly effective for people with relapsing MS who meet very specific characteristics. Learn more about the use of aHSCT in treating MS, including what’s involved in the procedure and cost.

• Study from Italy Suggests Some People with Active Secondary Progressive MS May Benefit from Bone Marrow Transplants December 21, 2022
• Investigators Recruiting Nationwide for Study Comparing AHSCT to Other Therapies in Active Relapsing MS May 25, 2021
• Researchers from Italy Report Long-Term Outcomes from Bone Marrow Transplants (aHSCT) to Treat MS January 20, 2021
• Cognitive Dysfunction and Physical Disability Improvement after aHSCT December 4, 2020
• National MS Society Releases Recommendations for aHSCT-Bone Marrow Transplant for MS November 11, 2020
• HSCT Shows Benefits in Some People with Secondary Progressive MS in Small Study February 10, 2020
• Results Published from Study of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplants (HSCT) in Relapsing-Remitting MS January 15, 2019
• Results Published from Australian HSCT Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation Trial in MS December 13, 2018

Read more updates about HSCT below.

Worldwide, MS researchers are focusing on who may benefit from aHSCT and how to reduce its risks.

• The Society is helping to facilitate the multicenter phase 3 clinical trial of HSCT (“BEAT-MS”). The trial began in 2020 and is now recruiting participants nationwide. Read more about this trial on the BEAT-MS website.
• A clinical trial is getting underway at medical centers in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The trial is testing treatment with aHSCT compared with alemtuzumab in people with active relapsing-remitting MS. Read more about this trial on clinicaltrials.gov.

• Treatments available for people with MS
• Read more about stem cells from the International Society for Stem Cell Research