MS Stem Cell Transplant

For those with Multiple Sclerosis in whom first line therapies have not worked, HSCT offers the most exciting treatment yet – a true breakthrough in the fight against this debilitating condition.

HSCT aims to ‘reboot’ the immune system, to stop it attacking itself and repair any existing damage. It uses chemotherapy to wipe out harmful cells and then reset the immune system using stem cells found in your bone marrow, known as haematopoietic stem cells. Watch our animation to follow the key stages of treatment.

Stem cell transplantation treatment of this kind is a highly specialised, intensive procedure. Hear Dr Ben Turner, Consultant Neurologist discuss the suitability of patients undergoing this treatment and why they must meet the following criteria:

• If you have primary, progressive MS (PPMS), you need a lumbar puncture with oligoclonal bands.
• If you have relapsing remitting MS, you have to fulfil the McDonald criteria.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 65.
• Received a diagnosis of MS within the last 15 years.
• Have a mobility score between 0 – 6.5 (walking with bilateral assistance such as two sticks or a rollator frame).

London Bridge Hospital is ideally placed to offer this state-of-the-art therapy, led by one of the pioneers in HSCT for autoimmune disease in the UK, Dr Majid Kazmi, Consultant Haematologist.

Providing this treatment requires the highest levels of experience, clinical quality, appropriate back-up expertise and patient support through the prolonged recovery period.

Set in an accredited clinical environment and in the comfort of first-class facilities, HSCT at London Bridge Hospital is primed to transform the lives of patients with MS.

Having carried out over 200 transplants across London’s teaching hospitals, the team have vast experience in this game-changing therapy and include specialist HSCT neurologists and haematologists, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians.