London MS-AHSCT Collaborative Group

Professor Paolo Muraro and Dr Benjamin Turner have kindly provided this information on behalf of the London MS-AHSCT Collaborative Group (Chaired by Paolo Muraro and Majid Kazmi) about their current Eligibility Criteria for autologous haematopoietic stem cell therapy.

The London MS-AHSCT Collaborative Group have said that this is a working draft and may be amended in future as new or better evidence about AHSCT becomes available. However the important thing to note is that for consideration for inclusion to this form of treatment is it important that your MS is considered active.

The London MS-AHSCT have also stressed that they currently view this as an exceptional therapy for some people with MS, rather than a standard treatment; and that neither NICE nor NHS England have ‘green lighted’ this therapy for routine use in any form of MS.

If you are interested in this treatment it is important that you consult with your Neurology Team in the first instance.

Patient Eligibility Criteria Adopted by the London MS-AHSCT
Collaborative Group 


The eligibility criteria are overall aimed at selecting patients who have failed approved treatments
of high efficacy or have none available to them and have recently presented evidence of
inflammatory CNS disease activity; and who could undergo AHSCT with an acceptable estimated
level of risk of adverse events. Justification for each of criteria is supported by evidence from AHSCT
trials and observational studies. 


Referral criteria: 
I. Diagnosis of MS made by a neurologist 


II. Able to walk, needing at most bilateral assistance to walk 20m without resting 


III. In relapsing MS (RMS), failed one licensed disease modifying drug of high efficacy
(currently including alemtuzumab and natalizumab) because of demonstrated lack
of efficacy 


IV. New MRI activity within last 12 months 


Inclusion criteria: 


1. Age 18 to 65 years 


2. Disease duration ≤15 years from diagnosis of MS 


3. Diagnosis of MS according to McDonald’s criteria 


4. For PPMS, CSF OCB+ 


5. For RMS, failed at least one licensed disease modifying drug of high efficacy
(‘Category 2’ as defined by Scolding N, Barnes D, Cader S, et al. Pract Neurol
2015;15:273–279; currently including alemtuzumab and natalizumab) because of
demonstrated lack of efficacy (as evident from relapse, MRI activity as defined below
at Point 7, or EDSS increase) after being on DMT for at least 6 months


6. EDSS score 0-6.5 


7. Inflammatory active MS as defined by ≥1 Gd+ (>3mm) lesion (off steroids for one
month) or ≥2 new T2 lesions in MRI within last 12 months 


8. Approved by the MDT 


Exclusion criteria: 


a. Eligible for an ethically approved clinical trial where AHSCT is offered as one of the
treatment arms 


b. Unable to adequately understand risk and benefits of AHSCT and give written informed
consent 


c. Prior treatment with total lymphoid irradiation and autologous or allogeneic
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
London MS-AHSCT Collaborative Group – Patient Eligibility Criteria Final V.3. – 8/12/2015 


d. Contraindication to MRI including but not limited to metal implants or fragments, history
of claustrophobia or the inability of the subject to lie still on their back 


e. Poorly controlled depression or recent suicidal attempt 


f. Presence of any active or chronic infection 


g. Unable to walk 20mt with or without support, or wheelchair dependent


h. Any significant organ dysfunction or co-morbidity that the Investigators consider would
put the subject at unacceptable risk