Amazing Remission: Actress Selma Blair, 51, Says She Had a Stem Cell Transplant And Is In a Great Place Managing Her Multiple Sclerosis

Blair’s treatment included HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), which is a form of chemotherapy for multiple sclerosis. It involves taking stem cells from the bone marrow or blood, wiping the immune system clean with chemotherapy, and reintroducing the cells to grow a new immune system.

Research published in Frontiers in Neurology last year says autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) (also called bone marrow transplantation, with autologous meaning a patient’s own cells) used for multiple sclerosis therapy helps “reset the immune system.” Several studies and clinical trials using AHSCT have shown promise.

“In a meta-analysis of published studies using AHSCT for MS treatment, the pooled estimated transplant-related mortality was 2.1%, two-year disease progression rate was 17.1%, five-year progression rate of 23.3%, and a pooled 83% of patients with no evidence of disease activity at two years. Patients who had the most benefit and least mortality rate were patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).”

Additional research published by NEJM Journal Watch says that AHSCT helps MS patients with relapse reduction better than some other forms of MS treatment.

Blair said it took her a while to recover from the bone marrow transplant in 2021, but she now feels “stronger” and continues working on her stamina.

Since her MS diagnosis, she’s become a visible advocate for other people living with MS.

“It’s been a really lovely journey in this second part of my life of finding [my] community and realizing that nothing feels as good as helping to be a megaphone for other people,” Blair said.

Understanding Blair’s Disease

Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack cells that form the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the spinal cord. The disruption leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Once the protective barrier is damaged, the spinal cord struggles to send messages to the body’s arms, legs, and other parts to function normally.

Symptoms often associated with multiple sclerosis may include numbness, tingling, or sudden limb weakness that affects just one side of the body. Vision problems, lack of coordination, unsteady gait, and fatigue are common symptoms.

There is no cure for MS, but MS warriors battling the disease do have methods to manage their symptoms.

WATCH: ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ Is Inspiration for Anybody With Multiple Sclerosis

Common tools MS patients use to improve their quality of life include wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

A study in American Family Physician found that DMTs “has been shown to slow disease progression and disability; options include injectable agents, infusions, and oral medications targeting different sites in the inflammatory pathway.”

DMTs help stave off attacks of the disease and prevent relapses, which are triggered when the central nervous system becomes inflamed.

The drug mitoxantrone, which has been used as a DMT, is currently the only chemotherapeutic agent approved for the treatment of MS in the United States. An injection is usually given once every three months for about two to three years. The drug only helps control the disease and does not cure it.

While chemotherapy is widely known as a cancer treatment, it is also effective at slowing down or stopping disease activity in MS.

Blair underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment for MS. She shared a photo on her Instagram post-chemotherapy of her hair regrowth after losing it during treatment, a common side effect of chemotherapy.

“A large amount of our chemotherapies do cause hair loss, not all of them,” Vivian Rusziewicz, a Nurse Practitioner for Ohio Health, told SurvivorNet.

“Generally, in terms of hair loss, it would begin about three weeks, three to four weeks, after your first chemotherapy treatment. Generally, people will start to see some regrowth about four to six weeks after their last treatment. As long as you aren’t being treated with another medication that might cause hair loss,” Rusziewicz added.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you are facing a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, you may be interested in learning more about treatment options to help you best manage your symptoms. Below are some questions to help kickstart a conversation with your doctor for solutions.

• What forms of treatment do you believe would be most effective based on my MS symptoms?
• Are there any side effects I should expect if I started the recommended treatment?
• How likely am I to be eligible for HSCT chemotherapy to help treat my MS?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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