Scientists have revealed that a new technique has been developed to transplant stem cells into multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers, with results seeing a slowing down and in some cases reversal of the disease. It is the best result stem cell research into MS has seen in ten years.
MS affects over 85,000 people in the UK - it is a debilitating condition that affects the nervous system and can cause many to rely on a wheelchair. The disease is caused when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the protective myelin sheath that shields the nerves, which results in a difficulty to control limb movements. At the moment there is no cure and scarce treatments available.
In this new research, 21 patients suffering from the commonest form of the disease (around 80 per cent of all cases) were given treatment using stem cells taken from their own bone marrow.
Once the cells were removed, patients were given drugs to destroy their white blood cells, which is called the “conditioning regimen”, then the stem cells were put back and thus the body’s immune system is “reset” and stops the body attacking itself. The treatments took place between 2003 and 2005, and in each case, three years later the progression of the disease had significantly slowed and 17 patients saw a massive reduction in their disability. The majority of patients were recently diagnosed and in their twenties and thirties.
In the past research to tackle the disease has involved riskier treatments akin to chemotherapy, where side effects could be as severe as death. Researchers report that the new study used a milder method which had less side and was “well tolerated”.
The study, which was carried out by researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago, is published in The Lancet Neurology. Alongside the study there is a commentary that confirms the results shown from the stem cell research have been seen before “although not as clearly as in [these] results”. It also stated that a big, randomised trial was needed in order to ensure stem cell research be regarded as the necessary treatment for MS.
A spokesman for the Multiple Sclerosis Society confirmed that scientists were making arrangements for a second trial, using 100 patients.
Research manager at the society, Doug Brown, said, “These are very encouraging results and it is exciting to see that, in this trial, not only is progression of disability halted, but damage appears to be reversed. Stem cells are showing more and more potential in the treatment of MS and the challenge we now face is proving their effectiveness in trials involving large numbers of people.”
In October last year, University of Cambridge researchers saw a significant improvement in the condition of MS sufferers when treated with alemtuzumab - a drug that is used to treat leukaemia and been around for 30 years.
Alemtuzumab was used in the conditioning regimen in the majority of patients taking part in the study and therefore the researchers at the Northwestern University did not know for sure if it was that or the stem cells that saw such a significant result. This question is hoped to be answered in the next trial.
