Stem cells used to treat multiple sclerosis "show promise"

UK scientists have used bone marrow stem cells to treat a small number of patients with multiple sclerosis with encouraging results.

Bone marrow contains stem cells capable of replacing cells in many types of tissues and organs - and so is of great interest to those working to develop new treatments for many diseases, including those which affect the nervous system such as MS.

In the study, scientists extracted bone marrow from the pelvis of six patients aged between 30 and 60 with MS. The bone marrow was then filtered to obtain a pure population of stem cells which were then injected into the blood of the patient.

The patients were then monitored for a year to find out what effect the stem cells had on the MS patients and their disability.

The treatment had no serious side effects, and the scientists said their results "were consistent with stable disease." Neurophysiological tests carried out raised the possibility of benefit, they added.

Professor Neil Scolding from the Department of Clinical Sciences at the university said: “We are encouraged by the results of this early study. The safety data are reassuring and the suggestion of benefit tantalising.

"A larger study is required to assess the effectiveness of bone marrow cellular therapy in treating MS. We are hopeful that recruitment to this phase 2/3 study may begin towards the end of this year.

“Research into the underlying mechanisms is ongoing and vital, in order to build on these results.

"We believe that stem cells mobilised from the marrow to the blood are responsible, and that they help improve disease in several ways, including neuroprotection and immune modulation.”

The study is published online in the journal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

This article was published on Thu 6 May 2010