What is the role of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 23, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Stem cell therapy for lupus should only be considered for patients with severe, refractory disease who have failed standard treatments, due to its significant risks and experimental nature, as recommended by recent guidelines and studies 1.

Overview of Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus

Stem cell therapy, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, is an emerging treatment option for lupus patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. The procedure for HSCT involves collecting the patient's own stem cells, administering high-dose chemotherapy to suppress the immune system, and then reinfusing the collected stem cells. MSC therapy, on the other hand, involves infusions of stem cells that can modulate immune responses without requiring chemotherapy.

Risks and Benefits

While HSCT has shown remission rates of 60-70% in severe lupus cases, it carries significant risks, including infection, organ damage, and mortality (1-5%) 1. Patients considering stem cell therapy should understand the experimental nature of these therapies and seek treatment at specialized centers with experience in lupus and stem cell transplantation.

Recent Guidelines and Recommendations

Recent studies and guidelines, including the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of SLE, emphasize the importance of careful consideration of potential benefits against substantial risks when deciding on stem cell therapy for lupus patients 1. The guidelines recommend that stem cell therapy should only be considered for patients with severe, refractory disease who have failed standard treatments.

Key Points to Consider

  • Stem cell therapy should only be considered for patients with severe, refractory lupus who have failed standard treatments.
  • Patients should understand the experimental nature of these therapies and the significant risks involved.
  • Treatment should be sought at specialized centers with experience in lupus and stem cell transplantation.
  • The decision to undergo stem cell therapy should be made in consultation with rheumatologists and transplant specialists, taking into account the potential benefits and risks.

From the Research

Overview of Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be treated with stem cell therapy, which has shown promising results in animal studies and clinical trials 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • Stem cell therapy aims to overcome the adverse events of traditional treatment and improve the recovery rate of refractory SLE 2.

Types of Stem Cells Used for Lupus Treatment

  • Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the two main types of stem cells used for SLE treatment 2, 3, 4.
  • MSCs have been shown to improve the signs and symptoms of refractory SLE by promoting the proliferation of Th2 and Treg cells and inhibiting the activity of Th1, Th17, and B cells 4.

Safety and Efficacy of Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus

  • The safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy for SLE have been evaluated in several clinical trials, with encouraging results 3, 6.
  • A phase I clinical trial using bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) showed that the treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) reported 6.
  • The maximum tolerated dose of BM-MSCs was determined to be 3.0×106 cells/kg in patients with LN 6.

Challenges and Future Directions

  • Despite the promising results, there are still some issues to be resolved in the clinic, including the selection of common cell therapies for individual patients and the potential of other cell-based therapies 3, 5.
  • Further studies are necessary to conclusively establish the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy for SLE treatment 3, 4, 5.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Research

Stem Cell Therapy in Lupus.

Rheumatology and immunology research, 2022

3
Research

Current cell therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Stem cells translational medicine, 2024

Related Questions

Can Clopidogrel (Plavix) cause thrombocytopenia, and will platelet counts recover after discontinuation of the medication?
What is the next diagnostic step for a patient with trauma to the middle chest, left-sided pneumothorax (pneumothorax), diagnosed with gastric perforation, who shows no improvement after insertion of a left-sided chest tube (chest tube)?
Do 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, commonly referred to as statins, cause dementia?
What is the significance of a persistent cervical reactive lymph node in an otherwise healthy 4-year-old with a normal Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
What are the non-vascular complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)?
What is the cause of the patient's recurrent symptoms of shortness of breath, dry cough, and chest pain with deep breaths, following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the ramus, performed by Dr. Maqsood at Baystate, for previously diagnosed cardiac-related issues?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question