What research is there into preventing damage using bone marrow transplantation?

Scientists are testing bone marrow stem cells in two different ways in MS: to provide brain cells to repair damage in multiple sclerosis, and by transplanting bone marrow stem cells to try to replace the immune system and so, hopefully, prevent MS damage. 

Current treatments using bone marrow transplantation

Ablative bone marrow transplantation is an immune treatment for severe MS. Strong drugs are used to ‘knock out’ the body’s immune system, then the person’s bone marrow is replaced (using bone marrow stem cells from a donor, or the person’s own preserved bone marrow stem cells) in order to replace the immune cells and indeed the immune system. Since the immune system is misfunctioning in MS, this should prevent further immune damage to myelin and oligodendrocytes. This has been a controversial therapy in MS, largely because of its significant mortality (death) rate. Further clinical trials are continuing in people with very severe forms of MS.


Get more information about severe MS.