Abstract |
A double-blind, multi-center study was performed on patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) to evaluate the therapeutic effect of treatment with natural interferon-alpha (HLBI). Forty-eight HAM patients were enrolled and treated with either 0.3 MU (n = 15), 1.0 MU (n = 17), or 3.0 MU (n = 16) of HLBI for 28 days. Clinical evaluation included motor dysfunction, urinary disturbances, and changes of neurologic signs. The frequency of therapeutic response judged as excellent to good 4 weeks after starting therapy and 4 weeks after completion of therapy were 7.1% (1 of 14) and 8.3% (1 of 12) in the 0.3-MU group, 23.5% (4 of 17) and 26.7% (4 of 15) for the 1.0-MU group, and 66.7% (10 of 15) and 61.5% (8 of 13) for the 3.0-MU group. The therapeutic benefit in the 3.0-MU group was significantly higher than in the 0.3-MU group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of symptomatic side effects between groups. Abnormal laboratory data were obtained for some patients in the 1.0-MU and 3.0-MU groups; however, the treatment schedule could be continued in most patients. These results suggest that HAM patients may be safely treated with HLBI 3.0 MU every day for 4 weeks with favorable clinical effects.
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Authors | S Izumo, I Goto, Y Itoyama, T Okajima, S Watanabe, Y Kuroda, S Araki, M Mori, S Nagataki, S Matsukura, T Akamine, M Nakagawa, I Yamamoto, M Osame |
Journal | Neurology
(Neurology)
Vol. 46
Issue 4
Pg. 1016-21
(Apr 1996)
ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8780082
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Immune System
(physiopathology)
- Interferon-alpha
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Movement
- Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic
(complications, physiopathology, therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Urination Disorders
(complications, physiopathology)
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