Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: Long-term follow-up data from Norway

Abstract

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potent treatment option for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Objective: To evaluate long-term outcomes of HSCT in MS. Methods: National retrospective single-center observational study of patients with aggressive RRMS that underwent HSCT in Norway from January 2015 to January 2018. Criteria for receiving HSCT included at least two clinical relapses the last year while on disease modifying treatment (DMT). Results: In total, 29 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 70 months (standard deviation:14.3), were evaluated. Twenty patients (69%) had sustained no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) status, 24 (83%) were relapse-free, 23 (79%) free of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, and 26 (90%) free of progression. Number of patients working full-time increased from 1 (3%), before HSCT, to 10 (33%) after 2 years and 15 (52%) after 5 years. Conclusion: HSCT offers long-term disease-free survival with successively increasing work participation in patients with aggressive MS resistant to DMTs.