Feasibility of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Autoimmune Disease: Position Statement from a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Cancer Institute–Sponsored International Workshop, Bethesda, MD, March 12 and 13, 2005

The primary objective of this 1.5-day workshop was to critically explore and identify the rationale for clinical trials of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in autoimmune diseases, with particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic sclerosis. Meeting participants were HCT physicians and autoimmune disease experts from North America and Europe. The focus of these discussions was to define diseases and patient populations that may benefit from allogeneic HCT, by rethinking disease pathophysiology and natural history in light of today’s allogeneic HCT technology.