The use of stem cell treatments for multiple sclerosis has been increasingly studied. However, while there is only limited data on the effectiveness of these treatments, there are many concerns about safety. Stem cell treatments can lead to a range of complications and there is typically minimal direct oversight from regulatory agencies. We will review the types of stem cell treatments utilized for multiple sclerosis, discuss stem cell tourism, and explore potential complications. Practical tips for patients will be provided.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr. Andrew Wolf attended medical school at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, and completed Residency and Fellowships at the University of Colorado. His research interests are focused on improving the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Current projects include developing digital and blood biomarkers to detect worsening in multiple sclerosis patients, characterizing clinical outcomes of neuroinvasive West Nile virus infection in patients on anti-CD20 treatments, and understanding the risks of immune checkpoint inhibitor use in patients with neuroimmunological disease. He’s also interested in the acute management of demyelinating diseases and optimizing inpatient to outpatient care transitions.