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High-dose immunosuppressive therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a new and promising approach to multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. In this article, we present the results of a prospective phase II open-label single-center study with the analysis of the safety and efficacy of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy+AHSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning regimen in 95 patients with different types of MS. The patients underwent early, conventional, and salvage/late transplantation. Efficacy was evaluated based on clinical and quality of life outcomes. No transplantation-related deaths were observed. The mobilization and transplantation procedures were well tolerated. All the patients, except one, responded to the treatment. At long-term follow-up (mean 46 months), the overall clinical response in terms of disease improvement or stabilization was 80%. The estimated progression-free survival at 5 years was 92% in the group after early AHSCT vs 73% in the group after conventional/salvage AHSCT. Statistically significant difference between the survival probabilities of two groups was determined (p = 0.01). No active, new, or enlarging lesions in magnetic resonance imaging were registered in patients without disease progression. All patients who did not have disease progression were off therapy throughout the post-transplantation period. AHSCT was accompanied by a significant improvement in patient’s quality of life with statistically significant changes in the majority of quality of life parameters (p < 0.05).The results of our study support the feasibility of AHSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning in MS patients. Multicenter cooperative studies are needed for better assessment of treatment results and optimization of the treatment protocol of AHSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning regimens in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is a new and promising approach to the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients because currently there are no effective treatment methods for this disease. In this article, we present results of a prospective clinical study of efficacy of HDIT + auto-HSCT in MS patients. The following treatment strategies were employed in the study: “early,” “conventional,” and “salvage/late” transplantation. Fifty patients with various types of MS were included in this study. No toxic deaths were reported among 50 MS patients; transplantation procedure was well-tolerated by the patients. The efficacy analysis was performed in 45 patients. Twenty-eight patients achieved an objective improvement of neurological symptoms, defined as at least 0.5-point decrease in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score as compared to the baseline and confirmed during 6 months, and 17 patients had disease stabilization (steady EDSS level as compared to the baseline and confirmed during 6 months). The progression-free survival at 6 years after HDIT + auto-HSCT was 72%. Magnetic resonance imaging data were available in 37 patients before transplantation showing disease activity in 43.3%. No active, new, or enlarging lesions were registered in patients without disease progression. In conclusion, HDIT + auto-HSCT suggests positive results in management of patients with different types of MS. Identification of treatment strategies based on the level of disability, namely “early,” “conventional,” and “salvage/late” transplantation, appears to be feasible to improve treatment outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]