Table 2

Inclusion criteria for HCS transplantation in various autoimmune diseases

Disease/

general

principles
Criteria

General
Failed best available conventional therapy

Progressive disease, poor prognosis (for life or organ)

Reasonable quality of life if autoimmune disease activity

     were arrested

<60 years old

Able to withstand HSC transplantation (especially

     cyclophosphamide 4 g/m2)
SSc
Diffuse skin disease for <3 years and progressive plus

     other organ involvement

Modified Rodnan >16 (max 51)

Diffuse skin disease for >3 years or limited skin and vital

     organ involvement (threatening)

Mean PAP <50 mmHg, DLCO >45% predicted

LVEF >50% of normal (on echo), >45% MUGA

Controlled arrhythmias

Hypertension controlled by ACE inhibitors

Serum creatinine <1.5 times normal upper limit
RA
Failed: two DMARDS (including methotrexate) + any

     combination of DMARDS + anti-TNF regimen

Progressive destruction

Disease duration 2-10 years
MS
Disease duration ≥ 1 year

EDSS between 3.0 and 6.5

Disability progression sustained for at least 6 months

     during the previous 2 years of:

     ≥ 1.5 EDSS points if entry EDSS between 3.0 and 5.0

     ≥ 1.0 EDSS point if entry EDSS ≥ 5.5

Primary or secondary progressive MS

Clinical or MRI activity during the past year

ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; DLCO, lung diffusion capacity; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; EDSS, extended disability score system; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; MUGA, multigated image acquisition; PAP, pulmonary artery pressure; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.

Tyndall and Gratwohl Arthritis Res 2000 2:276   doi:10.1186/ar102