Nicky,

sorry that I don't have much time to adress all your questions (the antibodies and the form of therapy).

I will just try to answer briefly. the procedure you are reffering to is called- autologus stem cell transplant. a few years ago, it seemed a very promising modality of therapy for refractory autoimmune disease, but it has gradually lost favor.

there are both short and long term risks in this procedure, and I think that your concern of having it following a thymectomy are well justified. it may likely effect the reconstitution of the immune system, putting you at increased risk for infectious complications. although, it may be adventageous in achieving remission. ( I have to think about it more, in order to give you a better answer).

one of the reasons that it lost favor, is the very good results with other modes of treatment, including rituximab.

alice