Journal Club 11/20/20

Last week our researchers and physicians discussed a paper about AHSCT compared to Lemtrada to treat RRMS.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), a different stem cell therapy than the one used at IMSMP, was compared to Lemtrada in an observational study for safety and efficacy in treated patients with Relapsing Remitting MS. The researchers looked at MRI, relapse and confirmed disability worsening data to measure the effects of the two treatments. The occurrence of thyroid disease was common in the Lemtrada group and was also present, but not as high, in the AHSCT group. The paper found AHSCT to be more effective and safer than Lemtrada, but they did not compare the stem cell transplantation to other commonly used MS therapies such as Rituxan or Tysabri. More research, particularly a randomized clinical trial, is needed to learn more about the efficacy and safety of AHSCT.