Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an intensive immune-resetting therapy developed for patients with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The procedure involves the mobilization of a patient's own hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), followed by their collection and cryopreservation. The patient then undergoes a conditioning regimen—at Northwestern University, this typically consists of high-dose cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG)—to deplete the existing autoreactive immune system. The harvested stem cells are subsequently re-infused intravenously to reconstitute a new, self-tolerant immune repertoire. The Phase 3 "MOST" trial specifically investigates whether the addition of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) to the standard conditioning regimen can improve clinical outcomes and safety by modulating the immune response during the recovery phase.

Other names

Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantAutologous stem cells-Northwestern University-relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisMOST: IVIg in HSCT for Multiple Sclerosis