Abstract Details

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell treatment (AHSCT) is an immune reconstitution treatment option for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that has grown in clinical evidence over the last decades; detailed efficacy and safety data is still lacking, especially outcomes data from low-income countries. 

To describe the clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of AHSCT in Mexican patients.

We identified 24 patients, of which 22 had at least one year of follow-up after AHSCT and underwent analysis for clinical outcome. The median follow-up time was 85 months (range: 12-267); with a median age of 44.0 years (IR 38-52); 62.8% (n=15) were men and 31.8% (n=7) women; 50% were secondary progressive forms of MS (SPMS), and 27.3% were relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS); 59% (n=13) met the criteria for highly active MS (HAMS). 

The composite score of no evidence of disease activity 3 or NEDA3 (no relapses, no new MRI lesions, and no EDSS progression) was achieved in all the patients at a 24-month follow-up and in 72.1% (n=16) of the patients at the time of the last follow up visit. Relapse-free survival at the last follow-up visit was achieved at 77.3%; MRI event-free survival at 90.9%; Expanded disability status scale score progression-free survival in 95.4%. Only one patient required the re-initiation of disease-modifying therapy.  

There was no treatment-related mortality. One patient was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure.

AHSCT in Mexican MS patients is an effective and relatively safe treatment option with no mortality and can be performed with a reasonable degree of safety at experienced centers.