Mycophenolate treatment for MS; why not ? – Multiple …

Could an old transplant drug be the answer for MSers without insurance? #MSBlog #MSResearch

Epub: Michel et al.Mycophenolate mofetil in multiple sclerosis: a multicentre retrospective study on 344 patients.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 May 23.

OBJECTIVES: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent, sometimes used as a disease-modifying therapy for MS. Several studies have reported the relative safety of this treatment but, to date, its efficacy has rarely been described. This group performed a retrospective study to assess the safety and efficacy of MMF in MSers.

METHODOLOGY: Three French MS centres included all of their MSers treated by MMF. The main outcome criterion was annualised relapse rate (ARR) in the 1 year period after onset of MMF compared with the 1 year control period. Treatment with another immunosuppressive drug, such as mitoxantrone or cyclophosphamide, in the 2 years preceding initiation of MMF was included in a subgroup analysis. MMF safety and progression of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score were also assessed.

RESULTS: 344 MSers were included; 149 MSers were previously treated with another immunosuppressant (IS group). Mean MMF treatment duration was 25.31.1 months. During the 1 year control period, ARR was 1.110.08, and for the 1 year treatment period, ARR was reduced significantly to 0.350.05 (p<0.0001, Wilcoxon paired test). Adverse events (occurring in 11% of patients) were mainly digestive disorders, benign infections, asthenia and transitory lymphopenia. Concerning the progression of disability, in the subgroup of MSers without previous immunosuppressant treatment, EDSS remained stable between initiation and 1 year after the beginning of MMF.

INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that MMF can improve or stabilise MSers and can be used as an alternative therapy.

Originally posted here:
Mycophenolate treatment for MS; why not ? - Multiple ...