Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the protective coating of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing relapses and, over time, disability. Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) uses chemotherapy to wipe out the faulty immune system and then reboots it with the person’s own blood stem cells, while other stem cell types are being studied for repair.
AT A GLANCE · MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
| Evidence level | Approved for specific uses |
|---|---|
| Approved stem cell treatment? | aHSCT is not a single licensed product but an established medical procedure using approved drugs and the person’s own cells. |
| Typical private price | $38,000 – $110,000 (indicative) |
| Recruiting trials | 15 listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (4 October 2026) |
| Last reviewed | October 2026 |
Does stem cell therapy work for multiple sclerosis?
aHSCT has the strongest evidence of any stem cell approach in neurology. The MIST randomised trial (JAMA, 2019) enrolled 110 people with highly active relapsing-remitting MS who kept relapsing despite treatment: the estimated five-year progression rate was about 9% after transplant versus about 75% for those switched to another drug, and average disability scores improved after transplant but worsened on drugs.
A key limitation is that MIST did not compare against today’s most powerful drugs, such as anti-CD20 antibodies. Two large randomised trials are now testing that head-to-head: BEAT-MS (NIH-funded, 156 adults in the US and UK, started 2020) and the UK StarMS trial, alongside similar trials in Europe. Evidence is much weaker for progressive MS without ongoing inflammation, where benefit appears limited. Mesenchymal and other ‘repair’ stem cell treatments for MS remain in early-phase trials, with no proven benefit.
Is any stem cell treatment approved for multiple sclerosis?
aHSCT is not a single licensed product but an established medical procedure using approved drugs and the person’s own cells. The 2025 ECTRIMS and EBMT expert recommendations say it is a generally accepted treatment for aggressive relapsing-remitting MS that keeps relapsing despite high-efficacy therapy, and may be considered as a first treatment for severe, rapidly worsening MS, but only within a clinical trial or research study. No mesenchymal or other repair-type stem cell product is approved for MS by the FDA, EMA or other major regulators.
What private clinics offer — and how it compares
Some clinics sell ‘stem cell’ IV drips or injections of fat or umbilical cord cells for any type of MS, which is very different from aHSCT and has no proven benefit. Others offer aHSCT abroad to people outside the evidence-based criteria, such as advanced progressive MS, where risks may outweigh likely gains.
Proven treatments to discuss first
Before paying for an experimental option, make sure you have explored the established treatments for multiple sclerosis with your doctor:
- High-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (for example anti-CD20 antibodies or natalizumab), started early
- Other licensed disease-modifying medicines tailored to disease activity
- Steroid treatment for significant relapses
- Rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Symptom management for fatigue, spasticity, bladder problems, pain and mood
- aHSCT at an accredited transplant centre for eligible people with highly active disease
How much does stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis cost?
Private clinics typically quote $38,000 to $110,000. The UK MS Trust reports overseas aHSCT typically costs between £30,000 and £85,000 (roughly $38,000 to $110,000) before travel and aftercare. Unproven mesenchymal stem cell injections are priced separately and offer no comparable evidence. Compare prices by country in our cost guide and location guides, and check insurance coverage.
Risks and side effects
- Treatment-related death with aHSCT (under about 1% in experienced centres in recent years, higher historically)
- Serious infections while the immune system rebuilds, and viral reactivation
- Infertility, early menopause and hair loss from chemotherapy
- New autoimmune problems such as thyroid disease after transplant
- For non-aHSCT clinic injections: infection, contamination and cost with no proven benefit
Recruiting clinical trials for multiple sclerosis
On 4 October 2026, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 15 recruiting or soon-to-recruit stem cell studies for this condition, 3 with sites in the United States. Here are up to eight, latest-stage first:
See all matching studies on ClinicalTrials.gov. A listing is not an endorsement: registration does not mean a study is safe or effective, and genuine trials rarely charge you for the experimental treatment. Ask the study team about costs, placebo groups and follow-up before you enrol. See our clinical trials hub.
Questions to ask before you agree to treatment
- Is this aHSCT with chemotherapy, and is your centre accredited for stem cell transplantation?
- Based on my MS type, MRI activity and disability score, do I meet the criteria where aHSCT has shown benefit?
- What is your centre’s treatment-related death and serious infection rate for MS patients?
- How does aHSCT compare with the high-efficacy drugs I have not yet tried, and should I join a trial such as BEAT-MS or StarMS?
Before You Pay: The Stem Cell Clinic Checklist
- 20 questions every legitimate clinic should answer in writing
- A red-flag scorecard to spot unregulated marketing
- Realistic 2026 cost ranges: US, Mexico, Panama & Europe
- How to find a registered clinical trial
Red flags to watch for
- Offering ‘stem cells’ for MS without explaining whether it is aHSCT with chemotherapy or simply an injection of cells
- Accepting people with long-standing progressive MS and high disability without discussing the weak evidence
- No transplant accreditation, no haematology team or no plan for months of follow-up with your home neurologist
Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis: FAQs
Does stem cell therapy work for multiple sclerosis?
aHSCT, a stem cell transplant that resets the immune system, has good evidence for highly active relapsing-remitting MS. In the MIST trial, far fewer transplant patients had disease progression over five years than those switched to other drugs. It does not reverse long-standing damage, and benefit in progressive MS is limited.
Is stem cell therapy FDA approved for MS?
There is no FDA-approved stem cell product for MS. aHSCT is a procedure using approved medicines and the person’s own cells, and international expert groups recognise it for aggressive relapsing MS that does not respond to other treatment.
How much does a stem cell transplant for MS cost?
Overseas aHSCT is typically reported at £30,000 to £85,000 (about $38,000 to $110,000), plus travel and aftercare. In some countries it may be funded in specialist centres for eligible patients.
How long do the effects of aHSCT last?
Many people in studies stay free of new disease activity for five years or more, and long-term follow-up suggests lasting control in a large share of relapsing patients. It is not guaranteed, and some people need further treatment later.
Is aHSCT for MS covered by insurance?
Coverage varies. The UK NHS offers it in a small number of centres for eligible patients, and some insurers in other countries cover it case by case. Mesenchymal or other clinic stem cell injections are generally not covered.
Related guides
- Stem cell therapy for autism
- Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury
- Stem cell therapy for ALS
- Stem cell therapy for stroke
- All conditions · Types of stem cell treatment · Clinical trials hub
Sources
- Results published for MIST AHSCT trial for MS (MS Australia)
- Stem cells and MS – AHSCT (MS Trust)
- AHSCT for MS and NMOSD — recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT (Nature Reviews Neurology, 2025)
- New multiple sclerosis treatment trial compares stem cell transplantation to best available drugs (NIH)
- BEAT-MS study details (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04047628)
- MIST trial findings (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS)
Last reviewed October 2026. For general information only — not medical advice. We do not endorse any clinic or product. Always consult a qualified, licensed healthcare professional. See our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.