Mitoxantrone treatment in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

We investigated the clinical and MRI effects of mitoxantrone (MITOX) administered to 45 patients during the first five years of highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Differences occurring between the end of treatment and follow-up (clinical mean: 3.6 years; brain MR: 1.8 years) with respect to baseline variables (EDSS, annualized relapse rate, active T2 lesions, new T1 lesions and number of Gd-enhancing lesions) were analysed using parametric and non-parametric tests. One patient developed leukemia four months after the end of the treatment; no other serious adverse events occurred during treatment and the follow-up period. A clinically relevant reduction in the annualized relapse rate ( P < 0.0001 at end of treatment and P < 0.0001 at follow-up) and improvement in the EDSS (P < 0.0001 at end of treatment and P = 0.0005 at follow-up) was found. At the end of treatment, 53% of patients experienced no increase in active T2 lesions, while 73% showed no increase in the number of new T1 lesions. At follow-up, 41 out of 45 (91%) patients showed a stable MRI pattern and were active-scan free. Despite potential serious adverse events, MITOX may be considered an option in selected patients with very active early MS.

• Authors: E Cocco, P Marchi, C Sardu, P Russo, A Paolillo, Mg Mascia, M Solla, J Frau, L Lorefice, S Massole, G Floris, Mg Marrosu
• Journal: Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) (Mult Scler) Vol. 13 Issue 8 Pg. 975-80 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 1352-4585 [Print] England
• PMID: 17468439 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Mitoxantrone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mitoxantrone (therapeutic use)
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting (drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome