Stem cell therapy is not cleared for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). However, clinical trials suggest this experimental therapy may reduce relapses and slow disease progression for some people with MS.

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Stem cell therapy is still considered experimental, but it shows promise in some people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

This article discusses the research and potential benefits, risks, and costs of using stem cell therapy to treat MS.

In MS, immune system cells mistakenly attack myelin. With stem cell treatment, doctors use chemotherapy to destroy these existing immune cells. Then, they introduce the new stem cells, which are not primed to attack myelin. This appears to slow or stop disease progression.

For now, stem cell therapy is most likely to help people who have active inflammation or frequent relapses. Research does not suggest it can repair serious damage or help those who already have a high level of disability.

Terms at a glance

MS is an immune-mediated disease involving demyelination, or damage to the myelin around nerves, in the central nervous system. Symptoms may include:

  • fatigue
  • balance and coordination issues
  • vision problems

Treatment can involve disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and symptom management.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells and can develop into any kind of cell. Scientists can manipulate stem cells into specialized cells. Once implanted, they can replace or help repair damaged cells. Stem cell therapy may reset the immune system in people with MS.

Autologous means the therapy uses your stem cells rather than donor cells.

Yes, different types of stem cell therapies show promise.

Hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cells can develop into all types of blood cells within the blood and immune system.

Mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells found in several places in the body, including in the bone marrow, skin, and fat tissue.

For over a decade, smaller clinical trials have explored the safety and feasibility of these particular stem cell approaches and found them beneficial for people with MS.

Neural stem cells

Neural stem cells are derived from other types of stem cells and can form cells in the central nervous system and brain. However, little research has been done on their use in MS.

Induced pluripotent stem cell

Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult stem cells, usually from skin cells, reprogrammed to become stem cells. There isn’t much research yet on their use for MS.

Researchers are looking into many types of stem cells that might help people with MS.

However, most studies focus on autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). For example,

  • A 2021 review article found that aHSCT may benefit people with relapsing and active forms of MS. Study authors cited the need for larger, more rigorous trials to compare the benefits of stem cell therapy versus the latest DMTs.
  • A 2020 clinical trial involved mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in 48 people with progressive MS. Doctors treated some intrathecally (IT), which means administering it into the spinal cord. They treated others intravenously (IV). During a 1-year follow-up, 58.6% of the MSC-IT group and 40.6% of the MSC-IV group exhibited no evidence of disease activity. This compared with 9.7% in a placebo group.
  • A 2017 analysis looked at 15 aHSCT trials involving people with MS. Two years after therapy, 83% of participants had no evidence of disease activity. At 5 years, 67% still had no evidence of disease activity.

Stem cell therapy may be more effective at increasing the time it takes for MS to progress compared with standard MS treatments. However, the higher-efficacy treatments (such as Ocrevus and Alemtuzumab) were not included in that research analysis.

Ongoing research is looking at the effectiveness and safety of aHSCT therapy compared to disease-modifying therapies already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The therapy known as aHSCT is a one-time treatment, though the process has many steps. It’s an experimental treatment, so details vary depending on the treatment center. Here are the basics:

  • Preparation: You’ll take medication that stimulates the production of blood-producing stem cells. Another medication will help move them from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Your doctor will harvest the new stem cells from your blood and freeze them. This takes from 5 to 15 days.
  • Chemotherapy: In the hospital, you’ll get intensive chemotherapy to destroy existing immune cells.
  • Transplant: Your doctor will introduce the stem cells into a vein.
  • Immune system rebuild: Your body will start producing new white blood cells. It takes about 3 to 6 months for the immune system to rebuild itself.

Your hospital stay may last 3 weeks or so. You’ll also need follow-up visits for several years. This can include:

  • medical evaluations
  • MRIs
  • blood tests

Who is eligible for stem therapy if you have MS?

People who are most likely to benefit from stem cell therapy are people who:

  • have relapsing MS
  • are under 45 years old
  • can get around independently
  • have had MS for less than 10 years
  • despite the use of DMTs, have had at least two clinical relapses in the previous year, with evidence of disease activity on MRI

If you’re considering stem cell therapy for MS, it’s best to speak with an MS specialist first. They can help sort out safety considerations and point you toward an accredited location or clinical trial.

Before moving forward, you’ll need a series of tests to ensure you’re in good general health. This may include:

Stem cell therapy can have side effects and risks.

Chemotherapy dampens the immune system, which raises the chances of serious infections and other health problems. Potential complications of stem cell therapy include:

A 2019 review article discusses the improvement in safety of aHSCT over the years. The rate of transplant-related mortality was 7.3% between 1995 and 2000. It fell to 0.7% between 2008 and 2016 and, more recently, to 0.2%.

To date, the FDA hasn’t approved stem cell therapy for treating MS. The agency cautions that some countries don’t require regulatory review of clinical studies, making it difficult to know if an experimental stem cell treatment is safe.

A 2020 research article put the total cost of aHSCT at around $150,000.

As these therapies are not approved by the FDA, they would likely not be covered by insurance. That can mean even the typically fluctuating copays and deductibles may not apply.

If you participate in a clinical trial, the research organization may cover aspects of your treatment along with your insurance.

Stem cell therapy aims to reboot the immune system and prevent MS attacks.

Though it shows promise and is available through clinical trials, it’s not FDA-approved to treat MS.

If you’re interested in stem cell therapy, an MS specialist can answer your questions and provide guidance. However, you’ll want to ensure you’re a good candidate and working with an accredited institution.