Systemic interferon-alpha in the treatment of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy.

Abstract

Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) was undertaken in 16 patients with human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM). All patients had progressive spastic paraparesis before treatment. Twelve patients were enrolled in an open therapeutic trial with a dose of 3.0 x 10(6) IU/day of IFN-alpha and 4 in a randomized, double-blind, multidose (3.0 x 10(6), 1.0 x 10(6) or 0.3 x 10(6) IU/day) trial. IFN-alpha was injected intramuscularly for 28 days. Eight of 12 patients enrolled in an open trial and 2 patients receiving a dose of 3.0 x 10(6) IU/day of IFN-alpha in a randomized trial showed clinical improvements during and after the treatment. The results showed that, although not for all patients, systemic IFN-alpha with a dose of 3.0 x 10(6) IU/day is effective in the treatment of HAM.

• Authors: Y Kuroda, K Kurohara, F Fujiyama, H Takashima, C Endo, M Matsui, R Neshige, R Kakigi
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 86 Issue 1 Pg. 82-6 (Jul 1992) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 1519481 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HTLV-I Antibodies
• Interferon-alpha

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• HTLV-I Antibodies (analysis)
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurologic Examination (drug effects)
• Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic (immunology, therapy)