Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects around 2.5 million people worldwide, with 400,000 of individuals with the disease in the U.S. With MS, the patient’s immune system attacks the fatty covering around nerve fibers (called the myelin) of the spinal cord and brain. This leads to inflammation and lesions. In a 2015 retrospective study of 151 MS patients who received stem cell transplants over 2-4 years, researchers found proof of efficacy. According to disability scores and scales, quality of life evaluation, and lesion volume analysis, all patients showed statistically significant improvements.
A recent study that was performed between 2013 and 2017 showed that MS patients who underwent stem cell therapy had very high success rates, at 74%. Over a two year time period, MISS-29 scores dropped by 52% for marked improvement in each patient’s condition.
Regarding systemic lupus erythematosus, patients treated were those with renal and other visceral organ involvement. At the 5-year follow-up, post-treatment with stem cells, 50% of the patients remained disease free.