Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in refractory Crohn's disease: Experience in our centre.

INTRODUCTION

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an accepted treatment in refractory Crohn's disease (CD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on patients with refractory CD subjected to AHSCT are collected at the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Madrid and the results obtained are described retrospectively.

RESULTS

Seven patients in total have received AHSCT due to refractory CD in our centre. Three patients (43%) presented with clinical and endoscopic remission; one patient (14%) clinical improvement without remission and three patients (43%) remained active with the need to restart treatment in the assessment of the initial response to the AHSCT (after six months). Symptoms recurred in five of the seven patients (71%) and all of them had to restart medical treatment after an average of 13.8 months (range: 3-30 months). Only one patient needed surgery after the AHSCT. At the end of the follow-up, after a mean of 48 months (range: 17-78 months), 5/7 (71%) of the patients were in clinical remission with or without treatment.

CONCLUSION

AHSCT may be a promising therapeutic option for patients with refractory CD. Its usefulness lies in the fact that it can produce clinical remission without treatment in some patients, but also that it can make the disease treatable, obtaining a response to certain treatments in patients who had previously lost it.