CBCI is a Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapies (FACT) accredited center for stem cell transplantation. Dr. Richard Nash and his team have over 20 years of experience with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) for autoimmune diseases. We offer AHSCT to select Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with the goal of preventing further clinical relapses, brain lesions, and worsening disability.

Clinical Trials for MS at CBCI

BEAT-MS Study Comparing Best Available Therapy (BAT) and AHSCT

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Using Orca-Q, an Engineered Donor Graft Derived From Mobilized Peripheral Blood (Opening Soon)

Car-T Cell Therapy for PPMS, SPMS, and RRMS Patients (Opening Soon)

Standard of Care AHSCT for MS at CBCI

Our center is following the recommendations published by the National MS Society in 2020 and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation in 2019 to select appropriate patients for AHSCT. This treatment is available to patients with substantial MS disease activity despite treatment with best available MS medications, known as disease modifying therapies (DMTs).

Research has shown that patients with active, inflammatory MS early in their disease course are the most likely to benefit from AHSCT. Age, time since diagnosis, recent disease activity (MRI changes or worsening disability), and level of disability will all be considered when screening a patient for eligibility. Patients must have failed one or more disease modifying therapies to be eligible for AHSCT. Patients who have not had disease activity in the past 3 years, who have not tried disease modifying therapy, or who have other conditions that would put them at significant risk during transplant will not be eligible for AHSCT.

What is AHSCT?

Check out our information page on AHSCT (also called a “Blood and Marrow Transplant”) to learn more.

Background on Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Sclerosis

Dr. Richard Nash was a contributing author on a position statement released in 2019 by the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). In this publication, MS neurologists and transplant physicians reviewed recent studies, recommending high-dose chemotherapy and AHSCT for the treatment of active relapsing forms of MS in patients who have failed previous conventional therapy. The report stated “Based on the available evidence, the ASTCT recommends that treatment-refractory relapsing MS with a high risk of future disability be considered a ‘standard of care, clinical evidence available’ indication for AHSCT.”

Read the full publication here: Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Treatment-Refractory Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Position Statement from the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

In November 2020, the National MS Society released recommendations for AHSCT in MS patients. This article reviews the evidence related to the optimal use of AHSCT in MS patients. Highlights of this article include:

  • There is growing evidence that AHSCT is not for everyone with MS but may be highly effective for people with relapsing MS who meet specific characteristics.
  • The committee outlines what is known and not known about aHSCT in MS, and makes recommendations for its use and for further research

Read the full publication here: Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Multiple Sclerosis: Recommendations of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Please click on the links below for further published studies:

If you are interested in being screened for AHSCT or other MS Studies, please contact:

Email Cat Booher

Phone number: (303) 577-6480