Can you treat Multiple Sclerosis with Stem Cells?

Multiple Sclerosis is among the many therapies that stem cells may be able to treat.

At the time of writing, there are several trials looking into the efficacy of stem cells on the causes and effects of MS. The most notable one is Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (or AHSCT).

This treatment is looking to completely remove the damaged immune system cells and replace them with healthy, new stem cells that have been programmed to become the new immune system.

In effect, the end result of AHCST is a complete rebooting of the MS sufferer’s immune system.

It is vitally important to note that there is currently no known cure for MS, and none of the therapies being investigated are in wide public use, but stem cells are proving to be incredibly useful in discovering therapies to help the sufferer lead a normal life.

The future of stem cell therapies for MS is an exciting one, and that’s why storing stem cells for future use is so important for new parents.

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition caused when the body’s immune system develops a fault, causing it to damage its own nervous system.

In most cases, the MS attacks the myelin – the coating found on nerves – wearing it away and leaving the nerve exposed. This in turn leads to symptoms such as reduced bowel control, slurred speech, and in some cases, the need to use a wheelchair.

By choosing to bank your baby’s stem cells when they are born, you will be providing them with a strong opportunity to fight conditions like MS when they are older. Obviously, the ideal scenario is that your child will lead a long, healthy life without needing any help, but with therapies like these in the future, it is vitally important to provide them with a head start?

People are living the greater ages than they ever have done, and with this increase in life spans comes greater susceptibility to numerous illnesses and diseases, of which MS is just one.

Stem cells are already used in the treatment of leukaemia and other forms of cancer in the form of bone marrow transplants, so the precedent is there for there to be a greater range of therapies in years to come. We’re living in a very exciting time in the field of disease fighting.

Harvesting stem cells at birth offers hope for the future. But if you’ve missed the boat on that, there is also the possibility of using cells found in milk teeth or adipose fat, giving children and adults the possibility of storing their stem cells.

If you have any more questions on how stem cells can be used to ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly, knowledgeable team on 0800 211 8389