Can A Stem Cell Transplant Stop Your MS?

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I did aHSCT in Nov. 2021. I had PPMS, progression very fast. From EDSS 2 in 2017 to EDSS 6,5 in June 2020. Since aHSCT progression has stopped. Even is becoming better. After Rehab and trainig I have EDSS 5 now. Proved by medical center for MS.

I had HSCT last year in London, refractory RRMS and had previously had five DMTs that didn't prevent me from relapsing every 4 months. My EDSS has gone from 6.5 to 2.5 and I haven't had a relapse in over a year. I had significant foot drop which is gone now and I no longer need an AFO. My only regret is not having HSCT sooner.

I went to Mexico for the transplant in ‘21 with PPMS at age 62. The clinic, the doctors and staff were amazing. I wanted to stop the progression, which I feel has happened. And, importantly, it gave me hope, that I wasn’t getting from my neuro. I only wish I had gone years ago.

My wife had HSCT at Clinic Ruiz, Puebla in 2017. Every mri since has shown no new or enhancing lesions. 👍

I had it done in January of 2016 at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago as a part of Dr. Burt's study. Since then, I've had no relapses and no new lesions. RRMS and I was on Aubagio prior to it, and I had success on it, but i couldn't pass this opportunity up. It took my immune system a while to fully grow back (about 4 years), but i was smart, and even through covid, I was diligent and took care of myself. I wish any one of us could get this treatment.

I had an HSCT for RRMS with Dr. Burt in Chicago and it saved my life 🙏🏻

Thank you so very much for this. I was a secretary for the Blood and Marrow Transplant department at University of Minnesota shortly after my MS diagnostic journey began. (2000-2001) Spent some time speaking with researchers at that point about their thoughts on HSCT in regards to Multiple Sclerosis and they were saying the same things you say. "It can work for a limited number of people, but the risks can definitely outweigh the benefits." And that's just the efficacy of treatment without even taking the financial burden in to account! I'm pleased for people who have had success! But, yeah, I'm blessed by the fact that my disease hasn't been severe enough to need to go this route.

Over the past few years, my MS has steadily progressed, which my neurologist finally diagnosed as secondary progressive. During that time, Aubagio did little to slow the progress. In order to change to Ocrevus, I took a blood test. It revealed I had an early form of multiple myeloma (MM). Because of this "fortunate" MM diagnosis, I qualified for an aHSCT, which I had in February, at a world-class hospital, under the care of a first-rate oncologist. It's now March, four months post-transplant. Blood-tests show negligible evidence of MS or MM. MRI's show no new lesions. Plus, I feel good. Although I understand the aHSCT did not cure either MS or MM, I trust it has effectively slowed their progress. Thanks Dr. Boster for your honest and informative evaluation of aHSCT.

I’ve just completed Stage 1, here in the UK part of the StarMS trial! Was very happy to stay on Tysabri, but after 7 years I recently had a big relapse. But otherwise, Tysabri really stopped a lot of progression compared to how active it was prior. Good luck out there everyone!

Dx 13 years ago in 2010. HSCT in Puebla Mexico 14 months ago. Reversed 13 years of accumulated symptoms! The care was phenomenal and nothing I have experienced in the US. Glad you're finally speak about! A little extreme on you're aftercare opinion, but maybe you have followed the myleoblative route rather than the non-myleoblative chemo dosage. Patients should go sooner rather than later

Cracks me up when you say (and point) “thanks for learning with ME!”

You are an innovator Aaron. Always fighting the good fight for us MS sufferers. Thank you doctor Boster 👍

So glad you discussed this topic that I think about daily. Great video again, Doc 😊

I’ve been waiting to hear about this from you. 😊

Thank you again for providing a very well informed base on which we all can decide what is the best avenue of treatment for MS.

Thank you for this long awaited video. You are a trusted advisor for so many. Sharing your opinion and knowledge of this is appreciated. The “halt?” trial you mentioned 3 of 4 had decent outcomes. What happened to patient 4?

As always, thanks for your highly considerate video, Dr. Boster! 👍❤️

Thank you so much for your work here on YT!!!

Thanks for breaking this down! It's always fascinating to me to hear the WHOLE process.