"Stem cell transplants may halt the progression of aggressive multiple sclerosis MS in nearly half of those with the debilitating disease but picking the right patients for the treatment is key a new study suggests. Specifically younger patients with a relapsing form of MS who were not severely disabled and who hadnt found relief with other treatments fared better than others over five years the international team of researchers found. However in some cases the treatment proved fatal the researchers reported. Stem cell transplantation cannot be considered a cure for MS. However it can be considered a concrete option for patients showing aggressive MS who have not responded to approved treatments said study coauthor Dr. Riccardo Saccardi. Hes from the cell therapy and transfusion medicine unit at Careggi University Hospital in Florence Italy. Using patients own stem cells to reboot the immune system is a way to halt the advance of the disease. But the treatment can be risky because the patients immune system has to be wiped out before the stem cells are transplanted the researchers said. In fact nearly  percent of the patients died shortly after receiving the transplant and those deaths were directly related to the transplant the researchers reported. Those deaths are a major concern one neurologist said because MS is not in itself lifethreatening. In effect those patients gambled with a treatment that could be fatal for a disease that isnt said Dr. Michael Racke a professor in the department of neurology at Ohio State University. Racke pointed out that stem cell transplants were first used to treat deadly diseases such as leukemia lymphoma and other cancers. There may be a population of MS patients that could be identified that might do well with transplant he said. Its important to select patients in such a way that they actually get well with the transplant. A trial that compares stem cell transplants with other therapies to see whether stem cell transplants can become a treatment for patients who have progressive MS is about to start added Racke who coauthored an editorial that accompanied the study.  More than  million people in the world suffer from MS in which the body attacks the central nervous system according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS can cause many symptoms including blurred vision loss of balance poor coordination slurred speech tremors numbness extreme fatigue problems with memory and concentration paralysis and blindness. These symptoms can come and go or persist and worsen over time. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of  and  although individuals as young as  and as old as  have developed the disease the society says.  Medications can slow the progression of MS and help patients manage symptoms but theres no cure. To see how patients did over the long term after stem cell transplants Saccardi and colleagues followed  patients from  countries who received stem cell transplants between  and . The researchers found that  percent of the patients experienced progressionfree survival at five years after transplant. Within  days of transplant however eight patients died nearly  percent. Those deaths were related to the transplants Saccardi said. The researchers think these deaths were most likely due to the transplant technology used before  which has since improved. The report was published online Feb.  in the journal JAMA Neurology.  Dr. Paul Wright is chair of neurology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset N.Y. and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park N.Y. He said As neurologists battle with current therapies that are limited for progressive MS in younger patients this study provides a possible new avenue for treatment.  More information Visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society http for more on MS. SOURCES Riccardo Saccardi M.D. cell therapy and transfusion medicine unit Careggi University Hospital Florence Italy Paul Wright M.D. chair neurology North Shore University Hospital Manhasset N.Y. and Long Island Jewish Medical Center New Hyde Park N.Y. Michael Racke M.D. professor department of neurology Ohio State University Columbus Ohio Feb.   JAMA Neurology online"