Stem cells banish severe autoimmune disease for 15 years

A man and a woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare autoimmune disease, have been in remission for over 15 years following a stem-cell transplant. This experimental treatment, reported in Med, suggests potential for larger clinical trials. NMOSD causes immune cells to attack the spinal cord and optic nerve, leading to severe symptoms like vision loss and paralysis. Traditional treatments failed for these patients, but after receiving donor stem cells, their conditions improved significantly. The man resumed a normal life and had children, while the woman regained arm function and stopped medication. The treatment involved chemotherapy and immunosuppressants to prevent complications. This marks the first use of allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplant for NMOSD, previously used for cancers and blood disorders. Scientists are optimistic about the long-term symptom-free results. QUESTION: How might advancements in stem-cell therapy change the future of treating autoimmune diseases?