Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Progressive Systemic Sclerosis

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of progressive systemic sclerosis \<7 years * Progressive course despite cyclophosphamide pretreatment * Cyclophosphamide i.v.: at least 3 x with 500-1000 mg/m² every 3-4 weeks or * Cyclophosphamide p.o. with at least 100mg/day for at least 2 months or * Contraindication to treatment with cyclophosphamide * Progress defined as at least one of the following criteria: * Increase in the mRSS * Worsening of the lung function * Increase in fibrosis/alveolitis in thorax CT * Worsening kidney function through manifestation of systemic sclerosis * Limited or diffuse cutaneous progressive form of Ssc with organ manifestation in the lungs/heart or kidneys Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 years * Pregnancy or inadequate contraception * Severe heart failure with ejection fraction (EF) \< 30% in echo * Pulmonary arterial hypertension with systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPsys) \>50mm Hg * Kidney insufficiency: creatinine clearance \<30 ml/min * Reduced lung function * Inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) \< 50% of normal * Carbon monoxide (CO)-Diffusion capacity SB \< 40% * Previously damaged bone marrow * Leukopenia \< 2,000/µl * Thrombopenia \< 100,000/µl * Previous myelotoxic treatment: * Cyclophosphamide \> 50g cumulative (relative) * Infection (Hepatitis B/C, HIV, Salmonella carrier, syphilis, relative: history of tuberculosis) * Severe concomitant psychiatric illness (depression, psychosis) * Substance dependence * Continued nicotine abuse * Continued alcohol abuse * Continued drug abuse * Consent not given * Poor compliance