[Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with refractory Crohn's disease].

Abstract

Crohn's disease is a chronic condition for which sometimes there is no effective medical or surgical treatment. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be a therapeutic option for these patients to restore immune tolerance. Consequently, this may lead to remission of the disease or decrease its activity, making drugs that have previously failed be effective. Due to the safety profile of the procedure and the fact that it is a non-curative treatment, patient selection must be rigorous. We report our experience with the first patient selected in our centre for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: 27 years old male with Crohn's disease (A1L3B1p) refractory to multiple lines of medical treatment and not a candidate for surgical treatment. Two years after the transplantation, the patient remains asymptomatic.