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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
10:10
Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity
Published on: November 8, 2016
Clinical stem cell therapies for severe autoimmune diseases
J A Snowden1, E Martin-Rendon, S M Watt
1Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK. john.snowden@sth.nhs.uk
Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England)
|September 15, 2009
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers a potential one-off intensive treatment for severe autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies show HSCT is feasible, safe, and effective, with potential for profound immunological effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Severe autoimmune diseases (ADs) cause significant disability and reduced life expectancy, especially in treatment-resistant cases.
- Allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been explored for decades as an intensive treatment for severe ADs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of HSCT for severe and treatment-resistant ADs.
- To characterize the profound cell biological changes induced by HSCT and their impact on organ damage.
Main Methods:
- Review of data from European and North American registries on HSCT procedures for ADs.
- Analysis of retrospective and prospective studies investigating HSCT outcomes in various ADs.
Main Results:
- HSCT has demonstrated feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy in treating various severe ADs.
- Profound immunological and cellular changes following HSCT can lead to stabilization or reversal of organ damage.
- Accumulated data from 1-2 thousand procedures support HSCT's potential.
Conclusions:
- HSCT holds potential for delivering a profound immunological effect in severe ADs.
- Further research, ideally in phase III studies, is needed to compare HSCT with the best available non-transplant treatments.
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