Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a severe refractory Crohn’s disease patient with intestinal stoma: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be used in the treatment of patients with refractory Crohn’s disease (CD) when no alternative treatment is available. However, HSCT increases the risk of infections, in particular during the aplasia of mobilization and conditioning. Moreover, intestinal stomas in CD augment the risk of morbidity in immunocompromised patients and under aplastic conditions. The objective of this report was to describe the results of the first year after HSCT in a CD patient with an intestinal stoma.MethodsThe patient was assessed in respect to disease symptoms and endoscopic findings before the procedure and 30, 90, 180, and 365 days after HSCT.ResultsNo complications were observed during mobilization and conditioning with sufficient CD34+ cells being harvested in just one apheresis session. Toxicity was restricted to the hematological series. Scores of all the CD indexes and the quality of life of the patient improved. However, two of three endoscopic scores remained unchanged even though improvements were found in the appearance of the lesions.ConclusionHSCT may be an alternative treatment for refractory CD in patients with an intestinal stoma, and a priori, carefully selected patients with stomas should not be excluded as candidates for this procedure.

Novel cell-based therapies in inflammatory bowel diseases: the established concept, promising results

“…HSCT may enhance the risk of infections, especially, during the aplasia of mobilization and conditioning. Additionally, intestinal stomas in CD can increase the risk of morbidity in immunocompromised patients [ 43 ].…”