There are many types of stem cells that are undergoing research and which are producing knowledge about their potential use in treating MS. Many of these studies involve adult mesenchymal (pronounced messENkimmul) stem cells, which are present in many tissues of the body, including bone marrow and fat (adipose tissue). These cells are being tested for their ability both to treat immune disorders and promote tissue repair. Further study is necessary to determine what kind of cells might prove optimal for treating some or all people with MS. Stem cell therapy, even in the controlled setting of a clinical trial, carries the possibility for substantial risks. Anyone who is considering enrolling in a clinical trial should evaluate carefully the potential adverse events that will be outlined in the informed consent form that trial participants must sign. HSCT to Reboot the Immune System: One type of procedure that has been explored for several years in MS is called autologous hematopoietic (blood cell-producing) stem cell transplantation -- or HSCT. This procedure has been used in attempts to reboot the immune system, which is believed to launch attacks on the brain and spinal cord in people with MS. In HSCT, these stem cells … Continue reading →

Gene therapy and cell therapy are overlapping fields of biomedical research with the goals of repairing the direct cause of genetic diseases in the DNA or cellular population, respectively. These powerful strategies are also being focused on modulating specific genes and cell subpopulations in acquired diseases in order to reestablish the normal equilibrium. In many diseases, gene and cell therapy are combined in the development of promising therapies. In addition, these two fields have helped provide reagents, concepts, and techniques that are elucidating the finer points of gene regulation, stem cell lineage, cell-cell interactions, feedback loops, amplification loops, regenerative capacity, and remodeling. Gene therapy is defined as a set of strategies that modify the expression of an individuals genes or that correct abnormal genes. Each strategy involves the administration of a specific DNA (or RNA). Cell therapy is defined as the administration of live whole cells or maturation of a specific cell population in a patient for the treatment of a disease. Gene therapy: Historically, the discovery of recombinant DNA technology in the 1970s provided the tools to efficiently develop gene therapy. Scientists used these techniques to readily manipulate viral genomes, isolate genes, identify mutations involved in human diseases, characterize … Continue reading →