Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a disease believed to be due to immune cells, cells which normally protect the body, but are now attacking lungs, heart, nerves, or other organs or systems within the body. As a result, the affected organs or systems fail to work properly causing difficulty breathing; heart failure; inability of the nerves to respond properly causing numbing, tingling, pain, and progressive muscle weakness; or other symptoms depending on the organ or body system involved. The likelihood of progression of this disease is high. This study is designed to examine whether treating patients with high dose cyclophosphamide (a drug which reduces the function of the immune system) and ATG (a protein that kills the immune cells that are thought to be causing this disease), followed by return of the previously collected blood stem cells will stop the progression of sarcoidosis. Stem cells are undeveloped cells that have the capacity to grow into mature blood cells, which normally circulate in the blood stream. The purpose of the high dose cyclophosphamide and ATG is to destroy the cells in the immune system. The purpose of the stem cell infusion is to evaluate whether this treatment will produce a normal immune system that will no longer attack the body.