Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplant in a patient with advanced systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an uncommon connective tissue disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition within the skin and internal organs. Most patients with diffuse severe SSc are treated with immunosuppressive agents, but patients with advanced disease have very high 5-year mortality rates despite adequate therapy. We describe a patient with both diffuse cutaneous SSc and systemic lupus erythematosus who showed mixed chimerism 29 months after undergoing nonmyeloablative stem cell transplant. She experienced remission of both diseases.