Can multiple sclerosis be cured? A case of highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation 13 years ago

Abstract

A 26-year-old man, with five years of highly active deteriorating relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), unresponsive to conventional therapy, was treated with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (AHSCT) 13 years ago. Since then the patient had no clinical or neuroradiological disease activity and disability progression was halted. Repeated analysis of CSF revealed reduced levels of inflammatory biomarkers and the neurofilament light protein level was normalized indicating no further axonal degeneration. The patient is socio-economic independent, is working full time, and has become a father. Measures of quality of life and cognition did not indicate further deterioration. Long-term follow-up has not shown any signs of active disease suggesting that AHSCT may be a cure for MS.

Keywords: Autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation; Axonal degeneration; Biomarker; Cerebrospinal fluid; Multiple sclerosis; Neurofilament light protein.