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- Title
Cladribine in aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
- Authors
Martinez-Rodriguez, J. E.; Cadavid, D.; Wolansky, L. J.; Pliner, L.; Cook, S. D.
- Abstract
Cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine) is an immunosuppressant drug previously evaluated in multiple sclerosis (MS) with variable results. We report six patients with aggressive relapsing MS who despite a poor response to other therapies had a favourable clinical evolution after cladribine. Four women and two men with a rapid increase in the number and severity of relapses leading to increasing disability [mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6.42, standard deviation ± 0.58, mean relapse rate per year in the 2 years prior to study entry 2.67 ± 0.75] were retrospectively evaluated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in five patients showed active disease with gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Cladribine was given at 0.07 mg/kg/day for five consecutive days once monthly with a total of 2- to 4-monthly courses. After 6 months, mean EDSS decreased to 3.75 ± 1.64 and MRIs showed a decrease or suppression in the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions. After 1 year from first dose, cladribine dosage was repeated in four patients because of recurrence of relapses with subsequent similar positive clinical results. In the follow-up period (49.33 ± 39.66 months), the mean relapse rate decreased to 0.71 ± 0.55 and no unexpected or serious adverse events were observed.
- Subjects
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE agents; MULTIPLE sclerosis; VIRUS diseases; MEDICAL imaging systems; CLINICAL medicine; ANALYSIS of variance
- Publication
European Journal of Neurology, 2007, Vol 14, Issue 6, p686
- ISSN
1351-5101
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.01735.x