summary: Mitoxantrone is an accepted treatment for MS, used when first line treatments such as interferon beta and glatiramer acetate fail. Over recent years its use has been reduced because of the risk of potentially life-threatening side effects and also due to introduction of natalizumab as an accepted drug for MS. However, mitoxantrone is still a therapeutic option for some people with MS. In this study the authors investigated a group of 23 people with MS or neuromyelitis optica, (an inflammatory-demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, like MS) whose first therapeutic option was mitoxantrone. In people who completed a two-year period of treatment, the authors reported a significant reduction in their relapse rate and levels of disability, when pre and post treatment values were compared. However, in three people the treatment with mitoxantrone had to be discontinued due to cardiotoxicity and reduction of white blood cell count.

authors: Singhal BS, Geeta S, Hundalani SG, Menon S

source: Neurol India. 2009 Jul-Aug;57(4):418-23

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category: Clinical Trials and Therapeutics

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