Stem cell transplantation--a treatment for severe rheumatic diseases?--A review.

Rheumatic diseases can be severe and unresponsive to standard therapeutic approaches. Preclinical studies and anecdotal case reports suggest that high-dose immunosuppressive therapy supported by stem cell transplantation may lead to remissions or even cure in various experimental disease models of autoimmunity as well as in some human rheumatic diseases. This review attempts to summarize some preclinical and clinical data on stem cell transplantation in the treatment of severe rheumatic diseases. In addition to practical aspects, some future perspectives are also discussed.