This document summarizes advances in stem cell therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It discusses several approaches:
1) Transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, which may not be effective due to the presence of endogenous precursors in MS lesions.
2) Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which reduces relapses in 80-85% of cases but has no proven effect on progression and risks of 1.3-5% mortality.
3) Mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells, which may aid repair through immunomodulation and other mechanisms rather than direct cell replacement.