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  How does HSCT work?

  All immune cells in the body originate from a common progenitor, known as a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) found in the bone marrow. As the HSC divides, it gives rise to a wide diversity of immune cell repertoire that all serve specific immune functions. Many of these immune cells, known as lymphocytes, are capable of recognizing and defending against foreign pathogens that enter the body.

  For an, as yet, unknown reason, some of the lymphocyte immune cells develop a corrupted memory in which they become self-intolerant and attack & damage different cells and tissues of the body. In the same manner as normal cells divide, so does the mutant auto-toxic cell clone, giving rise to a large population of autoreactive cells that mediate damage of different normal structures.

  Autoimmune damage of myelin is associated to MS, NMO, CIDP and TM. This is the fundamental mechanism that underlies autoimmune disease and using chemotherapy to eliminate these self-intolerant auto-toxic lymphocytes is the key to also halting the underlying autoimmune disease. The immune cells eliminated from the body are eventually replaced with new immune cells created in the bone marrow, which do not contain toxic corrupted cells, thereby halting the underlying disease activity.

  What are the benefits of HSCT?

  The aim of the entire HSCT treatment process is to stop the immune system from causing damage of the myelin so that proper electrical conduction within the nervous system is restored. In addition to the halting of the underlying autoimmune disease, the reinstatement of appropriate healthy signaling from nerves to muscles often results in clinical and symptomatic improvement.

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Multiple Sclerosis, CIDP, TM, NMO

Inclusion Criteria

Patients with a confirmed positive diagnosis of the following neurologic disorders are eligible for HSCT treatment:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): RRMS, SPMS and PPMS
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Transverse Myelitis (TM)
• Neuro Myelitis Optica (NMO / Devic's desease)

• Patients must be free of contraindicating health factors as determined by the clinic HSCT physician, and be deemed suitably healthy to safely tolerate the treatment.
• Patients should be able to self-transfer from one seated position to another, with the assistance of a caregiver.
• Patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) up to 7.0 will be accepted for transplantation, pending all other acceptance factors. (If you do not know your EDSS please follow this link to self-evaluate) https://goo.gl/FAAGBh
• Patients in the range of EDSS 7.0-8.0 will be considered for transplantation based upon a pre-acceptance clinic doctor evaluation / assessment via Skype video.
• Patients may be considered for treatment based upon individual health status, without regard to age (no specific age restriction).
• Patient must provide a recent Central Nervous System (CNS) MRI study less than three months old from scheduled treatment date. All patients require an MRI, not just MS patients, to rule-out a pre-existing cancerous malignancy prior to undergoing HSCT.
• Patient has to be able to travel to and remain in Puebla, México or Monterrey, Mexico during a 28-day period, accompanied by a caregiver.
• Immune Modulation or suppression medications must be discontinued at least three months prior to beginning the HSCT treatment process.
• If a medical condition appears in the preliminary evaluations performed by our specialists that impedes the patient from receiving the transplant, the patient will be refunded. The only charges that will apply will be the ones consumed up to that point, such as, transportation, partial lodging and the evaluations performed.
• Treatment must be fully paid two months prior to schedule treatment.