A GUIDE ON AHSCT

FOR MS

No miracle claims, just scientific facts.

A light at the end of the tunnel.

Is it possible to cure MS?

No miracle claims, just scientific facts.

A light at the end of the tunnel.

Is it possible to cure MS?

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Last Updated 24 July 2026

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“Welcome to CureMS,

CureMS is a non-profit website created to provide reliable information on therapies and procedures that may contribute to curing multiple sclerosis (MS), with a specific focus on autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), which in selected patients may currently come closest to a cure.

Although MS is generally considered incurable, clinical data show that some patients achieve long-term remission without ongoing medication after AHSCT.

CureMS does not promote miraculous solutions or unfounded hopes. All information published on this site comes from peer-reviewed scientific research and is based on evidence.

The CureMS website is supported by individual donations to the non-profit organization Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica (FORB) ONLUS, helping to keep the platform active and updated. It operates independently from pharmaceutical companies, and I have no financial or professional interest in AHSCT procedures.”.

Antonio Bertolotto, Neurologist

Our long-term goal…is to devise a therapy that induces a long-lasting eradication of the multiple sclerosis central nervous system immune reaction without inducing intolerable adverse side effects.

– Tourtellotte et al., 1976

News on Curems.net

Is AHSCT a “cure” for MS? A Patient’s Testimony 25 Years Later AHSCT.

What is AHSCT?

AHSCT is a one-off treatment that involves a complex, multistep procedure aimed at resetting the immune system, which mistakenly attacks the Central Nervous System in pwMS (person with Multiple Sclerosis). First, your own hematopoietic stem cells are collected from your blood. Then, chemotherapy is used to wipe out the malfunctioning immune system by destroying certain types of cells. Finally, your stem cells are reinfused to help regenerate a healthier immune system.

Like any procedures, drugs, or therapies, AHSCT offers both benefits and associated side effects and risks.

Analysis of the results shows that no treatment, in any study, has been proven to be more effective—radiologically, clinically, immunologically and pharmaco-economically—than AHSCT (i.e., transplant).

For clarity, all references to AHSCT (i.e., transplant) on curems.net refer specifically to procedures performed using an intermediate-intensity conditioning regimen. Unless otherwise specified, these references should not be interpreted as encompassing other intensity conditioning protocols. For more information on conditioning protocols click here.

AHSCT:

Who and Where

For selected patients, AHSCT is now considered a standard of care (i.e., a treatment supported by clinical evidence and incorporated into clinical practice in specialized centers).

Eligibility Criteria

Clinical characteristics required to be considered for AHSCT.

Learn More

AHSCT Centers

Accredited centers worldwide performing AHSCT in MS.

Learn More

Ongoing AHSCT Trials Worldwide

International RCT trials are currently comparing AHSCT against high-efficacy therapies. These studies aim to define the “ideal candidate” and optimal timing for AHSCT to maximize safety and long-term remission.

MORE INFO ON TRIALS

Ongoing AHSCT Trials Worldwide

International RCT trials are currently comparing AHSCT against high-efficacy therapies. These studies aim to define the “ideal candidate” and optimal timing for AHSCT to maximize safety and long-term remission.

More info on Trials

RAM-MS

RAM-MS trial is a phase 3 trial conducted in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, sponsored by the Haukeland University Hospital (Norway). This trial is active.

STAR-MS

The StarMS Phase 3 trial (UK) aims to evaluate whether AHSCT offers superior efficacy compared to high-efficacy DMTs. Recruitment completed.

BEAT-MS

BEAT-MS is a multi-center Phase 3 trial (US/UK) comparing AHSCT to Best Available Therapies (BAT) in 156 participants with treatment-resistant MS. This trial is recruiting.

Discover AHSCT

Explore AHSCT in this brief video: learn how the procedure works and how it resets the immune system.

A Quick Summary of This Website

Cure MS

Is it possible to “cure” MS? Read more about the definition of “cure”, immune reconstitution therapies, and the importance of sustained remission.

AHSCT as MS cure

AHSCT offers hope as a potential MS “cure”. Here you can find the rationale, eligibility criteria for different types of MS, as well as its application to other neurological diseases.

Benefits of AHSCT

What are the clinical and immunological evidences supporting AHSCT as a potential “cure”? Explore the impact on quality of life and pharmacoeconomics.

Risks of AHSCT

Learn more about factors influencing risks, early and late adverse events, or transplant-related mortality.

Procedure

What are the steps involved in this procedure and how long do they take? What monitoring is required following the transplant?

Prospectives

Ongoing AHSCT trials, other hopes to cure, and additional online resources on MS & AHSCT.

“CUREMS.NET is an independent, non-commercial website that I run without any personal compensation. The project is funded entirely by private donations, which are managed by FORB Onlus, a non-profit organization. These donations cover the site’s operating costs and provide financial support for one collaborator who helps with the project’s scientific work.”

— Dr. Bertolotto

How to Make a Donation

– Scan the QR code with your Satispay App.

– Enter the amount you would like to donate. There is no minimum amount required.

– Once the donation is completed, download the donation receipt.

– Write an email to forb@unito.it with the subject “Donation for CureMS.net”, attaching the donation receipt.

– Send the email.

FORB (link) is a non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Turin.

You can also support our work by making a donation via bank transfer:

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Learn More About Us

Read more about the mission, purpose, and the importance of a dedicated AHSCT resource. Meet the team, or read about conflict of interest policies and funding transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transplant

Discover detailed answers to frequently asked questions about transplant, including key information on procedures, risks, and benefits, in our FAQs section.

For additional FAQs, please refer to this website: MS Australia

When was AHSCT performed in MS for the first time?

In April 1995, Fassas et al. in Greece performed the first AHSCT in patients with progressive MS.

How many patients have undergone AHSCT?

To date, several studies estimate that over 4,000 patients worldwide have undergone AHSCT. However, according to the latest EBMT report (Alexander et al., 2024), only 2,132 of these cases are documented in the European Registry. While American patients are registered in the CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research), the European Registry does not include patients who have undergone the transplant in other Countries.

Who can have AHSCT?

Each AHSCT unit (neurological and haematological departments) has its own inclusion criteria. In general, AHSCT is performed for aggressive relapsing forms of MS. Several studies have identified that the patient who can benefit more of AHSCT are: aged 18-50, with a low EDSS score and a short duration of MS.

Further reading: eligibility criteria for AHSCT.

Is AHSCT an experimental procedure?

No, it isn’t. Updated Consensus Statement by ECTRIMS and the EBMT, as well as lead representatives of ACTRIMS, “endorse AHSCT for selected indications. In relapsing–remitting MS, AHSCT should be offered to appropriate candidates, normally after failure of high-efficacy DMT but within the window of opportunity before the development of irreversible disability“. (Muraro et al., 2025)

Are all AHSCT the same?

No, each AHSCT Center has gained experience and may be more familiar with certain conditioning protocols. Besides this, conditioning regimens are classified according to the intensity of immunoablation induced (high-, intermediate- or low- intensity). In short, the difference between these regimens lies in the intensity of the chemotherapy used before the stem cell transplant.

Read more here about conditioning regimens.

Is it safe?

AHSCT has shown promising results, but like all therapies, drugs, or procedures, it may also present risks.

Early complications, such as temporary alopecia, infections, and gastrointestinal issues, are common within the first 100 days. While the risk of transplant-related mortality (TRM) has decreased due to improved expertise and care, long-term effects may include thyroid or autoimmune issues, as well as temporary or permanent infertility caused by the conditioning regimen.

Late effects may result from the transplant regimen or prior use of DMTs. (Muraro et al., 2017) (Sharrack et al., 2020).

Learn more here about the risks.

Is AHSCT more effective than other DMTs for MS?

To date, no DMT (i.e., traditional MS pharmacological therapies) in any study has proven to be more effective than AHSCT. Clinical data show that with myeloablative or lympho-ablative regimens, at least for 10 years post-AHSCT, more than 60% of RRMS patients do not experience relapses, no new MRI-lesions, disability progression.
Click here for other studies comparing AHSCT vs. DMTs, or here to view a summary table.