Stanford Medcast Episode 43: Hot Topics Mini-Series - Stem Cell Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis

Today's episode includes a discussion with Dr. Jeffrey Dunn who serves as the Lily Sarafan Director of Neuroimmunology, Clinical Professor and Chief of Neuroimmunology within the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences at Stanford University. The discussion includes an overview of the different types of stem cells, as it relates to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), some of the ways researchers are considering using stem cell therapy to treat MS, and the limitations of disease modifying treatments that stem cell therapy could help address. Advice will also be provided to clinicians whose patients are asking about stem cell therapy and when it will be available to them. This session focuses on the knowledge gaps around the risks and benefits of stem cell therapy and the ongoing research taking place to bring this therapeutic option from bench to bedside.

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1. Review the different types of stem cells and their potential impact on treating relapsing MS.
2. Explore the ongoing research and clinicial trials for stem cell therapy.

In support of improving patient care, Stanford Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

Credit Designation 
American Medical Association (AMA) 
Stanford Medicine designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

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References/Bibliography
1.Genc, B., Bozan, H.R., Genc, S., Genc, K. (2018). Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. In: Pham, P. (eds) Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1084. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2018_247

2.National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). Stem Cells in MS. Retreived June 17, 2022 from https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-News-Progress/Stem-Cells-in-MS

3.Smith, J. A., Nicaise, A. M., Ionescu, R. B., Hamel, R., Peruzzotti-Jametti, L., & Pluchino, S. (2021). Stem Cell Therapies for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 9, 696434. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.696434

4.Uccelli, A., Laroni, A., & Freedman, M. S. (2013). Mesenchymal stem cells as treatment for MS – progress to date. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 19(5), 515 -519. 

5. VanBrunt, A, Beattie, B, LeLacheur, S (n.d.). Healing Hands: Art Therapy Meets Medical Education.. The journal of physician assistant education : the official journal of the Physician Assistant Education Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40408082

6. Holmes-Truscott, E, Litterbach, E, Arampatzi, C, et al. (n.d.). Exploring the social experiences, stigma and discrimination, faced by women with gestational diabetes: A collaborative qualitative study and item-pool development.. Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40407397

7. Bozinov, N., Ramsrud, A., Montgomery, J. H., Merrill, S., Rajkovic, S. N., & Nair, K. V. (2025). Integrating Clinical Pharmacy Services Into Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care Teams: A Narrative Review of 4 Models. International journal of MS care, 27(Q2), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2024-019

8. Busque, G., Lail, S., Dewhurst, N., & Halapy, H. (2024). Describing and Evaluating the Clinical Pharmacist's Role in a Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 77(3), e3555. https://doi.org/10.4212/cjhp.3555

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Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Stanford Medicine adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity, except those listed in the table below. All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Ruth Adewuya, MD
Managing Director
Stanford University School of Medicine

Course Director

Nothing to disclose

Jeffrey Edward Dunn, MD
Lily Sarafan Director of Neuroimmunology
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Stanford University School of Medicine

Faculty

Consulting Fee-Genentech, Inc. (Relationship has ended)|Consulting Fee-Alexion (Relationship has ended)|Honoraria-Bristol-Myers Squib Aventis (Relationship has ended)|Honoraria-Biogen Idec (Relationship has ended)|Consulting Fee-Janssen (Relationship has ended)

Ishita Verma
Student
Stanford University

Planner

Nothing to disclose

This CME Activity is supported in by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.