Sustained benefit from combined plasmapheresis and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells transplantation therapy in systemic sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease involving the skin and several internal organs. Most therapies available for this disease are symptomatic. Given the difficulty in treating SSc, we conducted this study to investigate the effect of combined plasmapheresis (PE) and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells transplantation (MSCT) therapy on SSc.Fourteen patients underwent three repeated PE treatments with subsequent pulse cyclophosphamide on days 1, 3 and 5. Patients received a single MSCT (1?×?106 cells/kg of body weight) on day 8. During follow up, evaluations performed included complete physical examination, serologic testing, and organ function.The mean modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) improved from 20.1?±?3.1 to 13.8?±?10.2 (P?

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5518166 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature