Mitoxantrone therapy in rapidly worsening multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates mitoxantrone (MX) therapy in patients with relapsing remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the disability progression and side effects of MX. METHODS: There were studied 33 patients (10 males, 23 females), average age 48.5+/-9.9 SD) with relapsing remitting and secondary progressive MS. The disability was evaluated using Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Time period from the onset to secondary progressive course of the disease was 9.3 years. Patients, whose disability progression increased by one or more EDSS point per one year, and not responding to other therapy, were treated with mitoxantrone. Patients were treated once monthly with intravenous administration of mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2, not exceeding the maximum cumulative dose of 14 mg/m2 and Solu-Medrol 1000 mg. Six pulses were done in each patient. EDSS score was measured at the beginning of the treatment and after twelwe month. Disability progression was evaluated. Nonparametric Wilcoxon matched pair test was used for statistical analysis. (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref 5.)