A Belgian consensus protocol for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis

Laureys, Guy; Willekens, Barbara; Vanopdenbosch, Ludo; Deryck, Olivier; Selleslag, Dominik; D'Haeseleer, Miguel; De Becker, Ann; Dubois, Bénédicte; Dierickx, Daan; Perrotta, Gaetano; De Wilde, Virginie; van Pesch, Vincent; Straetmans, Nicole; Dive, Dominique; Beguin, Yves; Van Wijmeersch, Bart; Theunissen, Koen; Kerre, Tessa; Van de Velde, Ann

doi:10.1007/s13760-018-0905-0

A Belgian consensus protocol for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis

Author:

Laureys, Guy

Willekens, Barbara ; Vanopdenbosch, Ludo ; Deryck, Olivier ; Selleslag, Dominik ; D'Haeseleer, Miguel ; De Becker, Ann ; Dubois, Bénédicte ; Dierickx, Daan ; Perrotta, Gaetano ; De Wilde, Virginie ; van Pesch, Vincent ; Straetmans, Nicole ; Dive, Dominique ; Beguin, Yves ; Van Wijmeersch, Bart ; Theunissen, Koen ; Kerre, Tessa ; Van de Velde, Ann

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Clinical Neurology, Neurosciences, Neurosciences & Neurology, Multiple sclerosis, Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Consensus Paper, DISEASE-ACTIVITY, CLINICAL-COURSE, MS, GUIDELINES, EXPERIENCE, TRIAL, NEDA, MRI, Adolescent, Adult, Belgium, Consensus, Disability Evaluation, Female, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Registries, Transplantation, Autologous, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1109 Neurosciences, Neurology & Neurosurgery, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3209 Neurosciences

Abstract:

Multiple sclerosis is considered to be an immune mediated inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It mainly affects young, socioeconomic active patients. Although our armamentarium for this disease has significantly evolved in recent years some patients remain refractory to conventional therapies. In these cases, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be considered as a therapeutic option. Decreasing morbidity, mortality, and increasing patient awareness have led to rising inquiry by our patients about this treatment option. With the aim of a standardized protocol and data registration, a Belgian working party on stem cell therapy in multiple sclerosis was established. In this paper, we report the consensus protocol of this working party on autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis.