Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a first-line disease-modifying therapy in patients with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an effective treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have highly active disease, despite the use of standard disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). However, the optimal time for offering AHSCT to patients with 'aggressive' MS is yet to be established. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore the safety and efficacy of AHSCT as a first-line DMT in patients with 'aggressive' MS. METHODS: All patients with 'aggressive' MS who received AHSCT as a first-line DMT in five European and North American centres were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty patients were identified. The median interval between diagnosis and AHSCT was 5 (1-20) months. All had multiple poor prognostic markers with a median pre-transplant Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 5.0 (1.5-9.5). After a median follow-up of 30 (12-118) months, the median EDSS score improved to 2.0 (0-6.5, p < 0.0001). No patient had further relapses. Three had residual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activities in the first 6 months post-transplant, but no further new or enhancing lesions were observed in subsequent scans. CONCLUSION: AHSCT is safe and effective as a first-line DMT in inducing rapid and sustained remission in patients with 'aggressive' MS.