Autoimmune conditions
Highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis
Highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with continuing relapses or new disease activity despite treatment. Damage to myelin and nerve fibers can affect movement, sensation, vision and other functions.
Other names and abbreviations
MS · RRMS · highly active MS · highly active relapsing MS · multiple sclerosis · Multiple sclerosis · Disseminated sclerosis · Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis · Aggressive multiple sclerosis
Where transplant fits
Autologous transplantation is a specialist option for appropriately selected active relapsing disease, often after disease-modifying treatment has failed to control activity. It uses the patient’s own stem cells and requires no registry donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health. These categories are not estimates of donor demand.
Treatment at a glance
- Who it affects
- This page concerns highly active relapsing MS, not every person diagnosed with MS or every progressive form.
- Other treatment options
- Disease-modifying medicines, relapse treatment, rehabilitation and symptom management remain central. The place of transplantation among current high-efficacy medicines is individualized.
- Cells used for transplantation
- When performed, transplantation uses the patient’s own blood-forming stem cells, usually collected from peripheral blood.
Why the details matter
The aim is to suppress inflammatory disease activity. It is not an established way to regrow damaged nerves or reverse all accumulated disability.
How a transplant using your own cells works
Questions to bring to your care team
What is the exact diagnosis or subtype? What is the goal of each treatment option? If transplant is being considered, why does it fit this situation, which cells would be used and what are the alternatives?
Sources and further reading
- ECTRIMS and EBMT recommendations on autologous transplantation in MS and NMOSD
European Academy of Neurology · 2025-03-05 - Autoimmune Disease
EBMT Handbook · 2024-04-11 - 2025 EBMT practice recommendations for transplantation and CAR-T
EBMT · 2025
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help JBF reach more people who may be able to donate.
Explore the official registry serving where you live. It explains who can join, how registration works and what donation involves.
Find your official registryIf joining is not right for you, a gift to the Jada Bascom Foundation supports education, outreach and referrals to official registries.
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