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Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants

Date:
April 4, 2016
Source:
The JAMA Network Journals
Summary:
A report on seven cases of severe myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease characterized by severe muscle weakness) suggests that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (when a patient's own stem cells are used) may result in long-term remission that is symptom and treatment free, according to an article.
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A report on seven cases of severe myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease characterized by severe muscle weakness) suggests that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (when a patient's own stem cells are used) may result in long-term remission that is symptom and treatment free, according to an article published online by JAMA Neurology.

The study by Harold Atkins, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., of the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital, Canada, and coauthors reports outcomes at the Ottawa Hospital from 2001 through 2014.

All of the patients who were treated had persistent severe or life-threatening symptoms related to myasthenia gravis (MG), although they had used intensive immunosuppressive therapies.

"The ability to control autoimmunity by autologous HSCT [hematopoietic stem cell transplantation] has been demonstrated in other treatment-refractory autoimmune conditions, including neurologic diseases. ... The role of autologous HSCT for MG warrants further exploration with prospective testing," the authors conclude.

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Materials provided by The JAMA Network Journals. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

  1. Adam Bryant, Harold Atkins, C. Elizabeth Pringle, David Allan, Grizel Anstee, Isabelle Bence-Bruckler, Linda Hamelin, Michael Hodgins, Harry Hopkins, Lothar Huebsch, Sheryl McDiarmid, Mitchell Sabloff, Dawn Sheppard, Jason Tay, Christopher Bredeson. Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. JAMA Neurology, 2016; DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0113

Cite This Page:

The JAMA Network Journals. "Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 April 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404133932.htm>.
The JAMA Network Journals. (2016, April 4). Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 1, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404133932.htm
The JAMA Network Journals. "Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404133932.htm (accessed October 1, 2023).

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