A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Best Available Therapy Versus Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Treatment-Resistant Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (ITN077AI)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Summary
This is a multi-center prospective rater-masked (blinded) randomized controlled trial of 156 participants, comparing the treatment strategy of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) to the treatment strategy of Best Available Therapy (BAT) for treatment-resistant relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will be randomized at a 1 to 1 (1:1) ratio. All participants will be followed for 72 months after randomization (Day 0, Visit 0).
Description
Participant recruitment for this six-year research study focuses on multiple sclerosis (MS) that has remained active despite treatment. This study will compare high dose immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) to best available therapy (BAT) in the treatment of relapsing MS. MS is a disease caused by one's own immune cells. Normally, immune cells fight infection. In MS, immune cells called T cells, or chemical products made by immune cells, react against the covering or coat (myelin) of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to s…