Skip to main content
Physiatry '25 Main banner
Final Program


Final Program

223 - Prognostic Indicators of Sustained Efficacy in Regenerative Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparative Analysis of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapies

Friday, February 28, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST

    Presenting Author(s)

  • DT

    Danyal Tahseen, BS

    Medical Student
    Sam Houston State University COM
    Rosenberg, Texas, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • RH

    Rhoda M. Hijazi, BS

    Medical Student
    Sam Houston State University COM
    Pearland, Texas, United States

    • Corresponding Author(s)

  • SB

    Savitha Bonthala, D.O., M.P.H

    Academic Physiatrist
    Houston Methodist Hospital, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Conroe, Texas, United States

Case Diagnosis:



With limited disease-modifying treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), regenerative medicine offers a promising therapeutic approach. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy (SCT) are two modalities that may modify disease progression by enhancing the body’s regenerative capacity. However, factors tied to sustained efficacy remain unclear. This review synthesizes current evidence and identifies prognostic indicators for long-term success in MS patients undergoing PRP or SCT to inform more effective treatment strategies.








Case Description:

A PubMed literature review was conducted with the search terms "platelet-rich plasma" OR "stem cell therapy" AND "Multiple Sclerosis." Inclusion criteria comprised studies reporting measurable outcomes in MS patients treated with PRP or SCT. Review articles were excluded.

Discussions:

SCT and PRP have demonstrated varying success in treating MS. Clinical trials using hematopoietic SCT show reduced disability progression in 70-80% of patients with aggressive MS, particularly those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). One study found 78% of RRMS patients remained relapse-free five years post-transplant, compared to 40% with conventional therapies.
PRP, though less studied in MS, has shown efficacy in symptom relief, especially in early disease. Factors affecting PRP outcomes include presence of immature platelets and inflammatory phenotypes. Customized formulations, such as leukocyte concentration, influence outcomes (symptom relief, inflammation reduction). For example, studies using leukocyte-rich PRP reported pain reduction rates up to 64.8%. However, few longitudinal studies compare PRP and SCT in MS, and protocols are heterogenous.

Conclusions: This review compares indicators for sustained success of SCT and PRP in MS treatment, including disease stage and inflammatory phenotype. SCT shows superior results in halting disease progression, particularly in specific patient groups, while PRP may be more effective in early-stage MS. More research is needed to identify factors affecting long-term efficacy and to standardize protocols for both treatments. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving long-term outcomes and enhancing regenerative strategies in MS.