Original Article Resolution of SLE-related soft-tissue calcification following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background. Calciphylaxis and calcinosis can both cause severe morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lu-pus erythematosus (SLE). Haematopoietic stem cell trans-plantation (HSCT) has been successfully used to treat pa-tients with refractory SLE. It was hypothesized that in cal-ciphylaxis and calcinosis, ongoing inflammatory activity contributes to the calcium deposition in the media of small arteries, as well as perivascular and periarticular tissues. We report three patients whose soft-tissue calcification syn-dromes dramatically resolved after undergoing HSCT. Methods. Three patients referred for refractory SLE under-went HSCT at a tertiary care medical center. SLE serologies and clinical features before and after HSCT were recorded. Results. Despite receiving>6 months of intravenous cy