Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes both the brain and spinal cord.

In patients with MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that protects nerve endings and connections. These inflammatory lesions are often visible on MRI scans and progressively impair communication between nerves and motor cells. This disease is particularly feared because it leads to the gradual loss of limb function and movement.

The exact symptoms experienced by a patient with multiple sclerosis vary depending on the areas affected by the autoimmune inflammatory process. However, as demyelinating lesions accumulate, the frequency and severity of disease flare-ups also increase. Over time, patients often develop secondary intractable disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily treated with conventional oral medications or injectable drugs.

Some patients with relapsing-remitting MS respond to these treatments and are able to reduce the frequency of recurrent attacks or prevent them altogether. Unfortunately, those with non-responding disease, as well as the majority of patients with primary or secondary progressive MS, do not respond to conventional therapies. Such patients are often considered incurable.

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Patients with severe or worsening multiple sclerosis (MS) who do not respond to standard treatments may benefit from immunosuppressive therapies. These treatments sometimes include intense conditioning to remove all mature lymphocytes, including those attacking the body’s own tissues. This process is often paired with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). After the procedure, the patient’s immune system can rebuild itself with newly generated T cells that are trained to tolerate the body’s tissues, potentially stopping the progression of the disease. This process is similar to how self-tolerance is developed in early embryonic stages. However, HSCT is a highly complex treatment and carries significant risks, which limits its use.

Some combination therapies offer similar benefits. These approaches may use immunosuppressive treatments to decrease harmful lymphocytes, followed by growth factors to stimulate the release of stem cells from the bone marrow. These stem cells, along with newly developed healthy T cells, offer a less risky option compared to HSCT, often called “micro-HSCT.”

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a safer alternative for treating multiple sclerosis due to their ability to reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system. These cells can be obtained from the patient’s own body or from donated placenta and umbilical cord tissue. MSCs are versatile and can potentially transform into oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for producing myelin, which helps repair damaged nerves. Additionally, nanoparticles released by MSCs may encourage the patient’s own MSCs to repair myelin.

Innovative targeting methods enhance the potential of circulating MSCs to reach the central nervous system (CNS). For example:

• Acoustic Shockwave Therapy (AST): Non-invasive low-energy shockwaves dilate blood vessels, increasing the flow of regulatory cells to the CNS.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Multi-color laser light stimulates circulating MSCs, enhancing their regenerative properties.
• Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS): This device can complement MSC-based therapies to optimize patient outcomes.

The combination of these supportive technologies — AST, LLLT, and dTMS — can be applied to both patients receiving MSCs expanded ex vivo and those treated with enriched autologous multipotent stem cells.

Based on preclinical studies and clinical experience, a significant number of MS patients who were unresponsive to conventional treatments have shown improvement and, in some cases, were even cured with MSC-based outpatient therapies.

However, regulatory challenges remain. The use of MSCs enriched ex vivo in cell-processing centers is not yet approved by many regulatory authorities. As a result, mesenchymal stem cells for MS and other resistant autoimmune diseases can currently only be performed in our satellite clinics located in countries with more permissive regulations.