[Treatment of progressive forms of multiple sclerosis]. 2001

G Edan
Service de Neurologie, CHU Rennes. Edan@sunaimed.univ-rennes1.fr

There is not a standardized definition of rapidly worsening Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Arbitrary, we have designed under this term patients having a very active MS (patients having more than 2 relapses within the last 12 months) or rapid progression of handicap (more than 2 points EDSS progression within the last 12 months). The design of most previous studies using azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate do not fulfill criteria to draw final conclusions as to the efficacy of these drugs as an immunoprophylactic agent in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). During the last five years, efficacy of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents was provided by some well-designed randomized control clinical trials: among the immunosuppressors, mitoxantrone deserves special consideration as there were three controlled trials in Europe during the two last years that demonstrated strong efficacy both on clinical and MRI criteria. Due to its potentially cardiotoxicity, related to total cumulative dose, mitoxantrone should presently only be used in selected patients with a very high relapse rate and incomplete remission or in those who do not respond to INF beta treatment. The immunomodulatory agents (interferon beta 1a or 1b, copolymer 1) demonstrated a significant effect on the reduction of relapse rate (about 30 p. cent reduction), on progression of handicap and on MRI. In secondary progressive MS, an effect on progression is demonstrated only on patients still having relapses. No trial devoted to worsening patients as defined above have been yet designed with immunomodulatory agents.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D008279 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques. Chemical Shift Imaging,MR Tomography,MRI Scans,MRI, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Image,Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Functional,Magnetization Transfer Contrast Imaging,NMR Imaging,NMR Tomography,Tomography, NMR,Tomography, Proton Spin,fMRI,Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging,Imaging, Chemical Shift,Proton Spin Tomography,Spin Echo Imaging,Steady-State Free Precession MRI,Tomography, MR,Zeugmatography,Chemical Shift Imagings,Echo Imaging, Spin,Echo Imagings, Spin,Functional MRI,Functional MRIs,Image, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, NMR,Imaging, Spin Echo,Imagings, Chemical Shift,Imagings, Spin Echo,MRI Scan,MRIs, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Images,Resonance Image, Magnetic,Scan, MRI,Scans, MRI,Shift Imaging, Chemical,Shift Imagings, Chemical,Spin Echo Imagings,Steady State Free Precession MRI
D009460 Neurologic Examination Assessment of sensory and motor responses and reflexes that is used to determine impairment of the nervous system. Examination, Neurologic,Neurological Examination,Examination, Neurological,Examinations, Neurologic,Examinations, Neurological,Neurologic Examinations,Neurological Examinations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016032 Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic Works about clinical trials that involve at least one test treatment and one control treatment, concurrent enrollment and follow-up of the test- and control-treated groups, and in which the treatments to be administered are selected by a random process, such as the use of a random-numbers table. Clinical Trials, Randomized,Controlled Clinical Trials, Randomized,Trials, Randomized Clinical
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D020528 Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive A form of multiple sclerosis characterized by a progressive deterioration in neurologic function which is in contrast to the more typical relapsing remitting form. If the clinical course is free of distinct remissions, it is referred to as primary progressive multiple sclerosis. When the progressive decline is punctuated by acute exacerbations, it is referred to as progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis. The term secondary progressive multiple sclerosis is used when relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis evolves into the chronic progressive form. (From Ann Neurol 1994;36 Suppl:S73-S79; Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp903-914) Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis,Multiple Sclerosis, Progressive Relapsing,Multiple Sclerosis, Remittent Progressive,Multiple Sclerosis, Primary Progressive,Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive,Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis,Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis,Remittent Progressive Multiple Sclerosis,Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
D020529 Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting The most common clinical variant of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, characterized by recurrent acute exacerbations of neurologic dysfunction followed by partial or complete recovery. Common clinical manifestations include loss of visual (see OPTIC NEURITIS), motor, sensory, or bladder function. Acute episodes of demyelination may occur at any site in the central nervous system, and commonly involve the optic nerves, spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebellum. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp903-914) Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Relapsing,Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis,Acute Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis,Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis,Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing Remitting,Multiple Sclerosis, Remitting-Relapsing,Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis,Remitting Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

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