Scientific report 2025 of the Autoimmune Diseases Working Party (ADWP)

Large randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the superiority of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation over standard-of-care therapies in systemic sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, which are now considered standard indications (Greco R et al., BMT 2025) and endorsed by their respective international societies (Del Galdo et al., Ann Rheum Dis. 2024) and ECTRIMS (Muraro et al., Nat Rev Neurol. 2025). The EBMT Autoimmune Diseases Working Party (ADWP) has been central to development of these approaches. Currently, 4839 patients have been reported to the EBMT registry (Fig. 1). 

Meanwhile, CAR-T cell therapies are emerging as therapeutic alternatives with curative potential. In this context, the ADWP was central in developing expert-based position statement and clinical practice recommendations from the EBMT Practice Harmonisation and Guidelines Committee on innovative cellular therapies for ADs (Greco et al, EClinicalMedicine. 2024). 

Recent achievements from our Working Party include a paper on best practice recommendations for HSCT in rheumatologic indications (Alexander T et al., BMT 2025). In addition, our WP was central in providing a position paper for the use of HSCT in multiple sclerosis (Muraro P et al., Nat Rev Neurol 2025) and we provided a review on HSCT in aggressive multiple sclerosis (Boffa G et al., Mult Scler 2025). Furthermore, a large retrospective analysis investigated the optimal conditioning regimen in MS (Greco R et al., BMT 2025), and we defined relapse criteria in patients with systemic sclerosis treated with HSCT (Del Papa N et al., BMT 2025). 

The ADWP is dedicated to promoting clinical activities, teaching and translational research on HCT together with innovative cellular therapies as AD treatment. We continued to expand the evidence-base and support best-practice with studies and guidelines, including significant collaborative outputs with the EBMT Working Parties, JACIE, Trainee Committee, Patient Advocacy Committee and Nurses Group. Education is key in the ADWP activities, including an educational meeting on ​“Advancements in cellular therapy for Autoimmune Diseases and Chronic Haematological Malignancies” held in Rome, and a harmonisation workshop on recommendations for CAR-T in rheumatic diseases that took place in Paris 2025.