"A treatment traditionally used on patients with certain cancers is being tried on a small number of people with multiple sclerosis http with remarkable results according to a professor involved in the research. The treatment destroys patients faulty immune systems through chemotherapy and then rebuilds them using stem cells previously harvested from their blood. Doctors at Royal Hallamshire hospital in Sheffield stress that the treatment so far given to about  patients over three years is not suitable for everyone with the disease which attacks nerves in the brain and spinal column. The hospital is part of an international trial also involving patients in the US Sweden and Brazil to see whether the treatment can benefit those with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis https a form that involves flareups of symptoms such as loss of vision fatigue muscle problems and difficulties with balance that can last from a few days to a few months. These will be followed by periods where symptoms are mild or disappear altogether.  Most people with MS https  there are thought to be more than  in the UK  are diagnosed with this form and although drugs may help slow progression there is currently no cure.  Consultant hematologist John Snowden said The immune system is being reset or rebooted back to a time point before it caused MS ... The treatment has traditionally been used to treat bone and blood cancers. Basil Sharrack a consultant neurologist at Sheffield teaching hospitals NHS foundation trust said The new treatment is showing some remarkable results in the small number of patients we have treated so far.  It is important to stress however that this treatment is only suitable for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis disease who have had two or more significant relapses in the past  months failed to respond to standard drug treatment and who have had the illness for at least  years. One patient who has undergone the treatment known as autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant HSCT told the BBCs Panorama  http that he had made incredible progress. Steven Storey who was diagnosed with MS in  said I went from running marathons to needing hour acute care. At one point I couldnt even hold a spoon and feed myself. Within a few days of the transplant he was able to move his toes and after four months could stand unaided although he still needs a wheelchair. Its been incredible Storey said. I was in a dire place but now I can swim and cycle and I am determined to walk. Holly Drewry was  when she was diagnosed with MS and her condition deteriorated after she gave birth to her daughter Isla. Within a couple of months I got worse and worse she said. I couldnt dress or wash myself I didnt even have the strength to carry my daughter. She had needed a wheelchair before her transplant but after the treatment she walked out of hospital. Drewry whose MS is described by doctors as dormant said Its been a miracle. I got my life and my independence back and the future is bright again in terms of being a mum and doing everything with Isla. Two years after the treatment she has had no relapses and there was no evidence of active disease on her scans. Paul Kirkham another patient who has undergone the treatment at a cost of about  said It does knock you out. Id rather have done  rounds with Mike Tyson. Richard Burt of Northwestern University in Chicago who carried out the first HSCT for MS in  and is coordinating the international trials told the BBC There has been resistance to this in the pharmaceutical and academic world. This is not a technology you can patent and we have achieved this without industry backing. Emma Gray the head of clinical trials at the MS Society https said Ongoing research suggests stem cell treatments such as HSCT could offer hope and its clear that in the cases highlighted by Panorama theyve had a lifechanging impact. However trials have found that while HSCT may be able to stabilise or improve disability in some people with MS it may not be effective for all types of the condition. We want people to be aware that HSCT is an aggressive treatment that comes with significant risks. It needs to be carried out at an accredited centre or as part of a clinical trial.  The MS Society has recently funded a study looking into the impact of HSCT on the immune system and wed like to see larger trials in this area. They would help us learn more about the safety and long term effectiveness of the treatment and who could benefit from it."