Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been explored as a therapeutic option for patients with refractory Crohn’s disease (CD) following several clinical studies, including the ASTIC trial. In an international multicenter study, researchers from Barts Health (UK), Hospital Clinic Barcelona (Spain), and Mount Sinai (US) evaluated long-term clinical and safety outcomes of HSCT in 100 patients with severe, treatment-resistant CD.
Over a median follow-up period of two years, 75% of patients demonstrated endoscopic improvement, and 53% achieved endoscopic remission. Additionally, 65% were in clinical remission, with nearly half of the cohort not requiring further advanced therapy post-transplant. Of those who did, 84% remained stable on a single therapy over an extended follow-up of 120 patient-years. Importantly, no patients progressed to bowel failure, and no long-term HSCT-related complications—such as hospitalization, renal failure, malignancy, or death—were observed beyond the 100-day post-transplant period.
These findings will reinforce the potential role of HSCT in managing highly refractory CD while highlighting the need for patient referrals to specialized international centers.
