HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

The impact of interferon-alpha treatment on clinical and immunovirological aspects of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in northeast of Iran.

Abstract
Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a chronic inflammatory myelopathy. The pathophysiology of HAM/TSP is not yet fully understood; therefore, effective therapy remains a challenging issue. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in HAM/TSP patients in the Northeast of Iran. Forty-nine patients with a definite diagnosis of HAM/TSP were enrolled in this clinical trial. For six months, the patients received three million international units of subcutaneous IFN-α-2b per each injection. The dose regimen was daily injection for the first month, three times administration per week for the months 2 and 3, twice weekly injection for the months 4 and 5 and weekly injection for the sixth month. The clinical and laboratory responses were evaluated based on neurologic examinations and immunovirological markers. IFN-α had significant but temporary effect on the motor and urinary functions of the patients. Comparing to the baseline values, proviral load was significantly decreased one month after treatment in responders (495.20±306.87 to 262.69±219.24 p=0.02) and non-responders (624.86±261.90 to 428.28±259.88 p=0.03). Anti-HTLV-1 antibody titers were significantly decreased among responders (1152.1±200.5 to 511.6±98.2 p=0.009) and non-responders (1280.1±368.1 to 537.6±187 p=0.007). Flow cytometry showed no significant changes in CD4, CD8, CD4CD25 and CD16CD56 counts with IFN-α. The positive impact of IFN-α was observed during the treatment period with significant effects on some clinical aspects of HAM/TSP.
AuthorsHoushang Rafatpanah, Abdolrahim Rezaee, Mohammad Mehdi Etemadi, Reza Farid Hosseini, Bita Khorram, Leila Afsahr, Graham Taylor, Naghmeh Mokhber, Mahmoud Mahmoudi, Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan, Mohsen Foroghipor, Peyman Hashemi, Amin Amiri, Mohsen Tehrani, Amir Azarpazhooh, Mahmoud Reza Azarpazhooh
JournalJournal of neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol) Vol. 250 Issue 1-2 Pg. 87-93 (Sep 15 2012) ISSN: 1872-8421 [Electronic] Netherlands
PMID22727800 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha
Topics
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic (drug therapy, immunology, virology)
  • Recovery of Function
  • T-Lymphocytes (drug effects)
  • Viral Load (drug effects)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: