Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: Long-term follow-up data from Norway.
Christopher Elnan Kvistad, Anne Kristine Lehmann, Silje Agnethe Stokke Kvistad, Trygve Holmøy, Åslaug Rudjord Lorentzen, Linn Hereide Trovik, Einar Klæboe Kristoffersen, Lars Bø, Øivind Torkildsen
Author Information
Christopher Elnan Kvistad: Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Anne Kristine Lehmann: Haematology Section, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Silje Agnethe Stokke Kvistad: Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Trygve Holmøy: Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Åslaug Rudjord Lorentzen: Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand, Kristiansand, Norway.
Linn Hereide Trovik: Haematology Section, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Einar Klæboe Kristoffersen: Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Lars Bø: Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Øivind Torkildsen: Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
BACKGROUND: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potent treatment option for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term outcomes of HSCT in MS. METHODS: National retrospective single-center observational study of patients with aggressive RRMS that underwent HSCT in Norway from January 2015 to January 2018. Criteria for receiving HSCT included at least two clinical relapses the last year while on disease modifying treatment (DMT). RESULTS: In total, 29 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 70 months (standard deviation:14.3), were evaluated. Twenty patients (69%) had sustained no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) status, 24 (83%) were relapse-free, 23 (79%) free of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, and 26 (90%) free of progression. Number of patients working full-time increased from 1 (3%), before HSCT, to 10 (33%) after 2 years and 15 (52%) after 5 years. CONCLUSION: HSCT offers long-term disease-free survival with successively increasing work participation in patients with aggressive MS resistant to DMTs.
