Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for neuromyelitis optica. Issue 3 (7th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greco, Raffaella; Bondanza, Attilio; Vago, Luca; Moiola, Lucia; Rossi, Paolo; Furlan, Roberto; Martino, Gianvito; Radaelli, Marta; Martinelli, Vittorio; Carbone, Maria Rosaria; Lupo Stanghellini, Maria Teresa; Assanelli, Andrea; Bernardi, Massimo; Corti, Consuelo; Peccatori, Jacopo; Bonini, Chiara; Vezzulli, Paolo; Falini, Andrea; Ciceri, Fabio; Comi, Giancarlo
• Is Part Of: Annals of neurology. Volume 75:Issue 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2014-03-07
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1002/ana.24079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0364-5134

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Neuromyelitis optica is a rare neurological autoimmune disorder characterized by a poor prognosis. Immunosuppression can halt disease progression, but some patients are refractory to multiple treatments, experiencing frequent relapses with accumulating disability. Here we report on durable clinical remissions after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 2 patients suffering from severe forms of the disease. Immunological data evidenced disappearance of the pathogenic antibodies and regeneration of a naive immune system of donor origin. These findings correlated with evident clinical and radiological improvement in both patients, warranting extended clinical trials to investigate this promising therapeutic option. ANN NEUROL 2014;75:447–453</p> </abstract>