In a recent study comparing the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation and Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers found that stem cell transplantation showed promising results in halting disease progression and improving disability measures. The study conducted in Lithuania involved 50 people with highly active MS, where 31 were treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) and 19 received Lemtrada.

After five years of treatment, the results indicated that significantly more patients who underwent stem cell transplant were free of MRI activity (95.7% versus 69.6%), relapses (75.1% versus 54.5%), and experienced no worsening of disability (90.9% versus 57.1%) in comparison to those treated with Lemtrada. While Lemtrada may initially halt disability progression in relapsing-remitting MS, the research suggests that disability accumulation occurs in later stages of the disease.

Personal testimonies, such as that of columnist Ed Tobias, who received Lemtrada treatment in 2016, highlight the potential benefits of the drug. Tobias, who had secondary progressive MS, believes that the treatment has helped slow the progression of his disease and alleviate some symptoms. Reflecting on the study, Tobias considers that if given the chance in 2016, he might have considered a stem cell transplant, particularly if he was younger.

The researchers involved in the study emphasized the need for further clinical trials on stem cell transplantation for patients with severe disability, exploring its potential in stabilizing and reversing disease progression.

In another development, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called iQ-MS has shown promise in monitoring MS lesions over time. The tool, designed to quantify MS lesion volume and brain atrophy, demonstrated superior accuracy in identifying new or enlarging lesions compared to human radiologists. The iQ-MS system accurately identified 93.3% of the scans, while the MRI lab identified 85% and the clinics only 58.3%. The AI tool also excelled in detecting existing lesions that had grown over time.

The researchers acknowledge that AI tools have limitations and depend on specific programming for detection. However, they believe that tools like iQ-MS have the potential to enhance real-world clinical imaging research and improve precision management for individual MS patients when used in conjunction with human radiologists.

The use of AI tools in MS monitoring raises questions and prompts discussion among the MS community. Opinions regarding the potential use of iQ-MS in the future are encouraged to be shared in the comments section, fostering a dialogue on the topic.

It is important to note that Multiple Sclerosis News Today is a news and information website about MS and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals are advised to consult with their healthcare provider for medical guidance. The opinions expressed in this article, authored by Ed Tobias, aim to stimulate discussions related to MS issues but do not necessarily reflect those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews.

Ed Tobias, a renowned columnist and a person living with MS since 1980, draws from his four decades of MS experiences to provide insights and commentary on the latest news in the MS community. Additionally, Tobias serves as one of the patient moderators on MS News Today's social media platforms. He is also the author of "The Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S." Tobias and his wife divide their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Florida's Gulf Coast in pursuit of sunshine.