This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this forum. For some reason I have not explored the idea of stem cell therapy for my MS, but I heard an inspiring story today. The man repairing my porch lift this morning told me of removing a stair lift for a woman with MS who experienced radical improvement as a result of stem cells.

I have a couple of questions: is there any so-called required reading for someone such as myself who knows nothing and wants to get up to speed on this topic?

Second, most studies and treatments seem to focus on RRMS. Any stats/success on PPMS and stem cell treatment? I have not shown any brain lesions, just spinal cord, and my decline from walking to full time scooter has been pretty rapid-less than 5 years.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or info.

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Kathy, 49 with PPMS,full time scooter.
Married to a wonderful man, mother to a darling 9 yr old boy

Welcome KateCW. In my opinion stem cell therapy is VERY promising but as of yet there is no definite proof that stem cell therapy works. I am sure there are at the very least trials planned for people with PPMS but I will try to see if there is anything currently taking place. Here is a good website for stem cell "basics".
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/health.asp

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Lyon states it well. The words "Stem Cells" and the associated treatments have such a wide variation of applications & defenitions. A very brief summary. . .

Stem cell "infusions" = Have so far not demonstrated any scientifically verifiable & reproducible clinical benefit (beyond a placebo effect) with lasting curative efficacy. But much of the in-vitro science certainly looks quite promising and hopefully will someday be shown to reverse existing damage in PP cases. Unfortunately not quite there yet.

Stem cell "transplants" = Currently completeing FDA phase II clinical trials and shows excellent curative results for RR cases with substantial symptomatic improvement. In contrast, the original phase I trials focused on late stage progressive cases in which few people were ambulatory at the time of treatment. The results generally did not show dramatic improvement of existing symptoms, although for most cases the progression of the disease was still "stopped." But by that time most of the neural damage was already done.

I compiled some info & literature on the subject. . .

http://themscure.blogspot.com/2010/06/s ... rence.html

Thanks to all for replies, and private messages. I don't even know enough to know the differences, but I think you have explained it well. I suppose I have heard of more good results of the cases where chemo is administered first. You have all pointed me in the right direction for some reading. I will probably have more questions once I start learning.

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Kathy, 49 with PPMS,full time scooter.
Married to a wonderful man, mother to a darling 9 yr old boy