Funding announced for a National Register of Stem Cell Treatment for MS

MS Research Australia is excited to announce $100,000 of new funding by the MS Society of Western Australia for an Australian Register of Haematopoetic Stem Cell Treatment for MS.

Over the past 18 months there have been media reports of successful stem cell transplants in several Australian patients with early agressive MS. This procedure has been performed successfully at several Australian sites, particularly in Perth, WA at the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and in the ACT. This important Australian Register will fill a gap in current research knowledge, collecting vital data on treatment effects, patient outcomes and long term prognosis following this new, experimental procedure.

“These treatments have only been undertaken in small numbers in Australia as far as we know, in Perth and the ACT, but are on the increase around the world,” explained Mr Jeremy Wright, Executive Director of MS Research Australia. “This Register will help Australia ‘catch-up’ with these developments internationally and give us a place at the table as stem cell research advances further.”

The transplant procedure makes use of special cells called HSCs (haematopoietic stem cells). These are adult stem cells, found in bone marrow and blood. These stem cells are capable of producing all of the cells that make up the blood and the immune system. HSCs are already used to treat leukaemia, lymphoma and several inherited blood disorders. In MS, it is thought that the HSCs may help prevent damage to myelin by altering the way in which the immune system functions.

The medical procedure involves a number of steps, including:

1. Collecting or ‘harvesting’ the HSCs from the bone marrow or blood of the patient
2. Purifying and concentrating the HSCs in the laboratory
3. Freezing or ‘cryopreserving’ the cells in the laboratory until they are required
4. Administering chemotherapy to destroy the patient’s immune system
5. Returning the thawed HSCs to the patient by infusion

The procedure is termed an ‘Autologous’ Bone Marrow Transplant because it involves the patient’s own cells.
It is hoped that, following the ideals of Evidence Based Medicine, the Australian Register of HSC Treatment for MS will provide Australian neurologists with the data and evidence they need to introduce a potential new treatment for a population of people with early and severe cases of MS.

This is an aggressive form of treatment for an aggressive type of MS. The register will assist in refining the protocol and ensuring that it is used safely and in the right circumstances. It will also add to the body of similar data being collected world-wide.

“We extend a huge thank you to the Board of the MS Society of WA for allocating this new and generous contribution to Australian MS research,” said Mr Wright.

Please note that this registry will only be for the follow up of people who have already received HSC treatment.  MS Research Australia is unable to assist people who are seeking treatment of this kind. 

To find out more about the emerging area of stem cell therapy for MS please click here