Treatment stages

Duration of stages

Day 1-3

Examination and Final Decision

Day 4

Briefing with a Doctor

Day 5-8

Stem Cell Mobilization

Day 9-10

Stem Cell Harvesting

Day 11

Vacation

Day 12-17

High Dose Immunosuppression

Day 18

Stem Cell Reinfusion

Day 19

MoAb-Rituximab Infusion

Day 20-25

Hematological & Immunological Recovery - Isolation

Day 26

MoAb-Rituximab Infusion

Day 27-29

Final Tests And Discharge

Day 29 - 365

Rehabilitation and Happy Life

1

Stem cells stimulation

Stem cells stimulation - 4 days (sometimes 5-6 days, depending on the results of stem cell collection).
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) 10 µg/kg.b.w./day
(2 subcutaneous injections 11 pm and 3 am) in combination with steroid infusion (Methylprednisolone 500 mg) at 10am-11am (200 ml liquid for 20-40 min intravenous infusion).
Also patient takes one antacid pill twice a day 30 mins before food (before breakfast and before dinner).

The most common side effects are:

Bone pain

Headache

Bad sleep

Fever and other flu-like symptom

2

Dialysis insertion

Insertion of special central venous catheter in external jugular or subclavian vein under ultrasound control for stem cell collection.

Then chest X-ray control of catheter position.

3

Harvesting of stem cells

Collection of stem cells (1-3 days).
To rebuild immune system, we need to collect more than 2 million hematopoietic stem cells per kg of body weight (>2 x 106/kg/b.w. CD34+ HSC).
Stem cells collection (harvesting) takes 5-6 hours (7-8 am – 1-2 pm).
Autologous stem cell harvesting is performed by Haemonetics MCS+ multicomponent collections system or Spectra Optia Apheresis System.

4

Removing dialysis

Removing of dialysis catheter and insertion of new ordinary triple-lumen catheter in external jugular or subclavian vein under ultrasound control for chemotherapy and further treatment.

5

CHEMOTHERAPY

PROTOCOL 1

The most advanced and the most effective protocol nowadays

Chemotherapy (conditioning) takes 6 days

IN CASE OF 6-DAYS PROTOCOL

Cyclophosphamide with supportive medicine and Fludarabine for first two days,
and only Fludarabine for the last 3-6 days.

From the first day of chemotherapy we start antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis:
- Levofloxacin 500 mg/d,
- Fluconazole 200 mg/d,
- Acyclovire 1200 mg/d,
- Co-trimoxazole (Bactrim) 960 mg/d on Mon, Wen, Fri

Patient should take all tablets:
Pills for breakfast – patient takes one antacid pill before meals, other pills – after meals.
Pills for lunch – patient takes one pill after meals.
Pills for dinner – patient takes one antacid pill before meals, other pills – after meals.

Patient has additional oral medications on Mon, Wen, Fri:
Co-trimoxasole (2 white big pills –morning, evening).

We give Rituximab 500 mg/m² (1 infusion) after immune system recovery (from D+9 to D+12)

Denis A. Fedorenko MD, PhD

The Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy

Protocol 2

It is used in certain clinical situations when there are contraindications to the use of Fludarabine

Chemotherapy (conditioning) takes 4 days.

The main morning infusion of Cyclophosphamide with supportive medicine and hydration
(3 L of normal saline) and takes 3 hours (usually 10 am – 1 pm).

Second and third infusions (mesna uroprotection, nausea prophylaxis)
– in 4 and 8 hours after the first one.

Denis A. Fedorenko MD, PhD

The Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy

The most common side effects are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Oropharyngeal mucositis
Alopecia
Pancytopenia (low leucocytes, hemoglobin)
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Fever

TRANSPLANTATION DAY

After finishing chemotherapy, we start stem cell infusion at 1pm and finish at 3 pm.
We recommend not to have meals after midday (12 pm), you can drink as much as you want.
We remove the cryopreservation bags individually from liquid nitrogen and place them immediately in the water bath and thaw it.
When thawed (-2-3 minutes), we infuse it as quickly as possible

Together with stem cells, we give fluids (3-4 L of saline), antihistamine, steroids and other symptomatic medications as needed.
Also, we monitor heart rate (ECG), blood pressure, respirations, body temperature.
Another side effects are pungent/tomato taste and smell, red-stained urine.
We ask to urinate in special bag to assess a color of urine after stem cell reinfusion.

Possible adverse reactions:

Nausea
Coughing
Vomiting
Flushing
Fever
Dyspnea
Chills
High or low blood pressure
Allergy
Low or rapid ventricular rate

6

Isolation period

Patient should never leave the room.
Patient should keep the door clos will clean the room every day.
Patient's suitcases will be removed.
Patient should heat up food (approx. 10-20 seconds) in the microwave before consuming.
Patient should use a special for mouthwash
Patient should use provided chlorhexidine solutions for washing body – alcohol-containing for legs/arms/body, water-based - for genital area and head.
Our staff will change bedding and wash clothing every day

Rehabilitation of immunne system

A patient must inform medical staff immediately of any problems or changes in condition.

We monitor blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature 3 times a day.
Patient usually has supportive infusions – natrium saline, electrolytes, low-dose dexamethasone twice a day, G CSF (subcutaneous shot, once a day at 3 pm) to decrease length of neutropenic phase.
Additionally, we can use intravenous antibacterial, antivirus, antifungal medications when needed.
We provide blood component transfusion when hemoglobin or platelet level is too low (Hb<80 g/L, Plt< 20 x 109/L).
Patient has 5h Rituximab infusion on D+1 and D+8

AFTER HSCT TREATMENT

WE RECOMMEND

To avoid contacts with sick people

Like flu or chicken pox.
There are no special restrictions for sexual life if partner is healthy.
We recommend to use contraception during year after AHSCT
To wear mask in public places

To wear mask during first 3 months in public or crowded places (arriving/departure areas, supermarkets, metro etc.)
There is no risk to be in contact with pets if they are healthy
There is no risk to be in contact with family members if they are health
Avoid vaccinations

In vast majority of cases we don't recommend vaccinations
Antiviral
Antibacterial
Antifungal prophylaxis after lymphoablative protoco.
Patient immune system has memory, additional vaccination can cause relapse of autoimmune process.
Health monitoring

Monitoring of blood tests:
total blood count
biochemistry screening - serum urea
electrolytes
creatinine
calcium
uric acid
blood sugar
Liver function tests
C reactive protein
Monitoring temperature of body

To monitor body temperature every evening during 1 month.
In case of any signs of infection patient must go to hospital.
No matter with or without high temperature (>37.5C)
Fever without signs of infection - patient must go to hospital
Posttransplant rehabilitation

GP (or hematologist) examination in 2 and 4 weeks after the disсharge.
Observation of neurologist or rehabilitation doctor physiotherapist.
Public places like public swimming pools, gyms, health centers
Food restrictions

We recommend to be careful with fast food, to avoid raw fish, meat (sushi, carpaccio
etc) within the next 3 months after discharge.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, milk products are available.
All food supplements, vitamins which patient used before are available

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALEX GREEN!

This is probably a terrible violation, that we have placed in our boring description such cool and stunning reportage videos from Alex...

But we just couldn't resist as they are filled with amazing humor, intelligence and objectivity at the same time.

We believe that his courage, willpower and vision will help many people to take a step towards to a better life.

Alex you are the best!!!

Sincerely yours,
AHSCT RUSSIA Team.

LetsGetRid.com - Kicking Multiple Sclerosis Arse!

Link to the page with the full story of Alex's journey for HSCT to Russia

Anastasia Panchenko

Administrator of the Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy
Moscow, Russia

Hi, Alex, How are you?
Would you mind if we put your story on the website?
Alex Green

The author and the main character of HSCT journey to Russia "Let'sGetRid.com"
Leatherhead, England

Hey Anastasia,

I'm really well thank you - as always now! It was great to see you and Dr.F in Birmingham, both looking so well.

Thank you for your message, my friend told me about the page - it was absolutely amazing to see, I'm so pleased that see my video and story as something worth using.

Honestly it means so much to me - you're more than welcome.

And I promise to finally (!!!) update it with how I'm doing now. 😉

Thank you the kind words at the end of the page, they really made Jen & I smile.

(and it's absolutely not a violation, do feel free to use everything. It's the very least I can do for you all)

Forever grateful x

General Advantages

Advantages

Advantages of HSCT Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Moscow, Russia.