Can a New Immune System Halt Ms and Allow Repair? (VIDEO)
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JUNE 9, 2016 - OTTAWA, CANADA - A clinical trial published in The Lancet, a top medical journal, shows an intensive procedure that completely wipes out the immune system and then regenerates a new one using blood stem cells can eliminate all signs of damaging brain inflammation in people with early, aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS), and facilitate lasting recovery. Led by Dr. Harold Atkins and Dr. Mark S. Freedman of The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, the trial included 24 participants who were followed for up to 13 years. The $6.47 million trial was funded by the MS Society of Canada and its affiliated Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation. The research was also supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, The Ottawa Hospital Department of Medicine and Canadian Blood Services. "Our trial is the first to show the complete, long-term suppression of all inflammatory activity in people with MS," said Dr. Atkins, a stem cell transplant physician and scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, and associate professor at the University of Ottawa. "This is very exciting. However, it is important to note that this therapy can have serious side effects and risks, and would only be appropriate for a small proportion of people with very active MS. People with MS who have had significant disability for a long time would likely not benefit." For details see release at http://www.ohri.ca/newsroom/newsstory.asp?ID=786
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The Ottawa Hospital
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