Condition group
Autoimmune conditions
In autoimmune conditions, the immune system attacks healthy tissue. The library has guides to 10 of them, including highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and Crohn’s disease. Of these 10, 2 usually use the person’s own cells when a transplant is used and 8 are usually treated without a transplant.
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10 conditions
10 conditions compared
Who do autoimmune conditions affect, and where does transplant fit?
| Condition | Who it affects | Where transplant fits |
|---|---|---|
| Usually the person’s own cells2 conditions | ||
| Early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)Early diffuse systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. It affects blood vessels, thickens the skin and can cause scarring in internal organs. | The disease more often affects adults, particularly women, but the transplant evidence concerns a selected severe progressive subgroup rather than all systemic sclerosis. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells is an established option for severe, worsening disease. It is for carefully chosen people and needs no donor. |
| Highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)Highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord. It keeps causing relapses or new activity despite treatment. | This page concerns highly active relapsing MS, not every person diagnosed with MS or every progressive form. | For carefully selected people, a transplant of their own stem cells aims to calm the disease. It needs no donor, but it is not a proven way to regrow damaged nerves. |
| Limited transplant role8 conditions | ||
| Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)CIDP is an immune disorder that damages myelin, the coating on nerves. This causes weakness, changes in feeling and trouble moving. | Usually diagnosed in adults, although childhood disease occurs. Symptoms alone do not distinguish CIDP from other neuropathies. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells has been used for some hard-to-treat cases. It is uncommon, adds real risk and needs no donor. |
| Crohn’s diseaseCrohn's disease is a long-lasting inflammatory bowel disease. It can affect different parts of the gut and cause diarrhea, pain and weight loss. | Can begin at any age, often in adolescence or adulthood. Disease location, complications and response vary between people. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells has been studied only in carefully chosen, very hard-to-treat cases. It is not a routine cure and needs no donor. |
| Evans syndromeEvans syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition. The immune system destroys red blood cells and platelets, and sometimes white blood cells that fight infection. | Evans syndrome can begin in childhood or adulthood. In a French national cohort of 419 children, the middle age at the first low blood count was about 7. In a Danish national study, adults had an average age of 58.5 at diagnosis. Children often have a genetic immune cause. In adults, about 1 in 5 cases comes with another illness, such as another autoimmune disease, a blood cancer or an immune deficiency. | Only a few people with the most severe disease have a transplant. It may use the person’s own cells or a donor’s. |
| Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common long-lasting arthritis in children. It starts before age 16 and causes painful, swollen, stiff joints. | JIA begins before the 16th birthday. Most types are more common in girls; enthesitis-related JIA is more common in boys, and systemic JIA affects boys and girls equally. Children of all races and ethnic backgrounds can get it. Refractory disease is a small part of all JIA. | Transplant is considered only for a few children with severe systemic JIA that modern medicines cannot control. It may use the child’s own cells or a donor’s. |
| Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)Systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is an autoimmune disease. It can affect the skin, joints, blood, kidneys, nervous system and other organs. | Can affect children and adults and is more common in women. Demographic patterns do not determine an individual’s disease severity or treatment. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells is an uncommon option for some severe, hard-to-treat cases. It is a specialist or research option and needs no donor. |
| Myasthenia gravisMyasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that disrupts signals from nerves to muscles. This causes weakness that can change over time. | Can affect people at different ages. Antibody type, thymus findings and the pattern of weakness influence treatment. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells has been reported only in selected hard-to-treat cases. It is not routine and does not need a donor. |
| Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It often affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. | Occurs across ages and populations. Antibody results and clinical findings are important for diagnosis and treatment selection. | There is not enough evidence for a transplant outside clinical trials, mostly because highly effective medicines exist. A transplant may be considered when other treatments fail. It uses the person's own cells, not a donor's. |
| Stiff-person syndrome and spectrum disordersStiff-person spectrum disorders can cause strong muscle stiffness and painful spasms. These are often set off by movement or by sensations like sound or touch. | Often recognized in adulthood. Several related syndromes and mimicking conditions need to be distinguished during diagnosis. | A transplant of the person's own stem cells has been studied in a small group, with mixed results. It is not routine and needs no donor. |
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Ways to help
Understanding can become action.
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