Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Three randomised controlled trials of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) demonstrated long-term survival benefits, induction of clinically meaningful, sustained improvement of forced vital capacity with improvements in skin thickening, vasculopathy and health-related quality of life, in contrast to a clinical decline in standard of care control groups. These benefits, however, must be weighed against the increased risk of transplant-related mortality. Further, with disease progression, severe extensive internal organ involvement and damage ensues, constituting an exclusion criterion for safety reasons, leaving a limited window whereby patients with SSc are eligible for HSCT. Although autologous HSCT offers the possibility of drug-free remission, rel

SUBMITTER: Walker UA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6045702 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature