NEW ORLEANS – Stem cell therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis is an intriguing and controversial topic, and the state of the related science was addressed during a session on “the treatment pipeline” at a meeting sponsored by the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.
In a video interview at the meeting, session chair Dr. Mark Freedman of the University of Ottawa (Ont.) discussed the status of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; how mesenchymal stem cells are thought to be a potential source for immune system repair; and the intriguing potential for remyelinating therapy with human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Research is in the “very preliminary stage” on human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, but “enticing news” of a safety trial set to begin in North America was presented during the session, he said.