Stem cells for multiple sclerosis - A reality and a tradition in Curitiba

Translated and adapted by Paulo R S de Bittencourt

Treatment with high-dose chemotherapy and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells for multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is completing 12 years of existence in Curitiba, and five years since its has became a routine. For 3 years, it has been performed at Unineuro, with the support of a nearby hotel, with cost and risk of complications much smaller than in hospitals. In this period, a pioneering treatment has been routine. Internment without no risk of cross infection, and has not been required any series of instruments that add costs or risks, such as catheters, probes, vacuum cleaners. This difference is reflected in a risk obviously lower, with the result that we are the only center in Brazil, Latin America and the world in development, which until now had no deaths or complications with permanent loss of function or structural in this form of treatment, including transplants of hematopoietic stem cells. That is, with our

format, a treatment of this magnitude is less aggressive, greatly increasing the cost-benefit, and therefore the application clinic. It is much easier to indicate the treatment to patients at the extremes of age, children and elderly, and people most adversely affected by the disease.

Since the early 74 cases were treated under the care of my team. The first, which led to discovery of this form of treatment was a serendipity, as they say in science. The discovery of almost miraculous effect of a high dose of cyclophosphamide and hematopoietic stem cells was by chance plus a host of other discoveries that Medicine made in other areas during this period. Our random

There was an error of pharmaceutical preparation in a hospital in Curitiba, which in 1998 meant that a carrier MS received one dose of cyclophosphamide five times higher than was planned for their

Routine pulse. Surprisingly, she did carried out any major negative consequences. More surprisingly

still, her multiple sclerosis slowly disappeared. Once the error was noticed she was subjected to two

weeks of intensive care with hydration, protection fabrics, protective isolation and stimulation to the production of hematopoietic stem cells. In 15 days she lost hair and returned to her normal life. However, month to month, we came to realize that her legs, which previously did not carry

more than 50 meters were getting looser. At the end of first year improvement in paralysis of the legs was noted upon examination. Visible lesions on MRI Magnetic began to become less obvious. In the second year improvement was even more clear, well balanced and sensitivity. After 5 years the improvement was obvious, for the patient and their families, their doctors, and also by

magnetic resonance imaging.

Prof. Dr. Paulo Rog�rio M de Bittencourt, PhD