Abstract
Autoimmune diseases that are resistant to conventional treatment cause severe morbidity and even mortality. In the present study we demonstrate that complete remissions can be achieved in refractory polychondritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), even at advanced stage, with the use of autologous stem-cell transplantation (SCT). Remissions persisted after reconstitution of the immune system. In the treatment of advanced systemic sclerosis (SSc), stable disease may be achieved with autologous SCT.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
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Disease Progression
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Female
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
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Humans
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Immunosuppression Therapy*
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
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Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
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Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Polychondritis, Relapsing / immunology
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Polychondritis, Relapsing / therapy
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Remission Induction
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Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology
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Scleroderma, Systemic / therapy
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Transplantation, Autologous*
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Treatment Outcome