Consensus Statement Addressing Stem Cell Transplantation: It’s Time!

Three Australian scientists from Monash University, Dr Christopher Siatskas, Natalie Payne and Prof Claude Bernard, provide commentary on the development of stem cells for the treatment of MS:

MS is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by inflammation, demyelination with associated accumulation of myelin debris, oligodendrocyte and axonal loss. Current therapeutic interventions for MS predominantly modulate the immune system and reduce the inflammatory insult by general, non-specific mechanisms but have little effect on the neurodegenerative component of the disease. Predictably, the overall long-term impact of treatment is limited since the neurodegenerative component of the disease, which can be the dominant process in some patients, determines permanent disability.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are endowed with potent immune regulatory and neuroprotective properties, have recently emerged as promising for the treatment of MS. Preclinical evaluation in experimental models of MS have shown that MSCs are efficacious in suppressing clinical disease. Mechanisms that may underlie these effects collectively act to limit CNS inflammation, stimulate neuron growth, protect axons and promote remyelination.

Importantly, transplantation with MSCs have been well tolerated by patients with few significant adverse effects. On the basis of these results, new, multicentre clinical trials have been launched to assess the safety and efficacy of MSCs for inflammatory MS.

It thus comes as no surprise that the coalescence of an international group of experts have convened to generate a consensus guide for the transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSC which, in time, may set the foundation for the next generation of therapies for the treatment of MS patients.

Source: Stem Cell Rev. 2010 Jul 28, Siatskas C, Payne NL, Short MA, Bernard CC