A team of scientists led from the Northwestern University of Chicago have used stem cells in a successful trial involving multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. During a trial lasting three years none of the patients deteriorated, and 80% of them actually improved.

Although this stem cell technique has been used before this is the first time it has been applied to early stage MS patients.

Stem Cells Swapped

MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own white blood cells damage and start to destroy the protective sheath surrounding the nerve.

The method used was first to remove the white blood cells causing the characteristic damage to the nerve sheath which MS causes. The patient’s own stem cells, harvested from their bone marrow, were then introduced. These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of white blood cell. Thus, the rogue white blood cells were replaced by well-behaved ones.

A larger trial has already begun.

The Future For Stem Cell Therapy

This is yet more great news for stem cell therapy. It won’t bring much cheer to those with advanced MS of course; but those diagnosed with early stage MS may well have a route through this distressing disease in the next 5-10 years.

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