Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation. 
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Transgenerational plasticity responses of larvae of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) to ocean warming.

Marine pollution bulletin·2025
Same author

Comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of natalizumab and fingolimod in rapidly evolving severe relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom.

Journal of medical economics·2023
Same author

Outcomes with Endovascular Treatment of Patients with M2 Segment MCA Occlusion in the Late Time Window.

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology·2023
Same author

Wireless phone use in childhood and adolescence and neuroepithelial brain tumours: Results from the international MOBI-Kids study.

Environment international·2022
Same author

Use of benzodiazepines and cognitive performance in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints.

International psychogeriatrics·2017
Same author

Role of anticholinergic burden in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints.

European journal of neurology·2017
Same journal

Characteristics and outcomes in electric scooter-related traumatic brain injuries in Helsinki.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
Same journal

Chronological ageing and ovarian reserve in MS: insights from anti-Müllerian hormone and disability progression.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
Same journal

Durable fluoropolymer drug-eluting stent versus bare-metal stent for the prevention of intracranial in-stent restenosis.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: <i>How well do plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers reflect the CSF amyloid status?</i>

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: <i>First presentation with neuropsychiatric symptoms in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease: the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network Study</i>.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: <i>Clinical utility of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in the evaluation of cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis</i>.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis
04:47

Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Published on: October 27, 2023

Azathioprine for multiple sclerosis.

I Casetta1, G Iuliano, G Filippini

  • 1Section of Clinical Neurology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Communication and Behaviour, University of Ferrara, Corso della Giovecca 203, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy. cti@dns.unife.it

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|January 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Azathioprine (AZA) was an affordable multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment option. However, concerns regarding its safety, particularly potential malignancy risks, necessitate a careful benefit-risk assessment for AZA in MS patients.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis
04:47

Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Published on: October 27, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Azathioprine (AZA) is an immunosuppressive medication.
  • It was a common treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) before the mid-1990s.
  • AZA offered a less expensive alternative to interferon beta for MS management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the benefits and risks of azathioprine in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  • To compare azathioprine's efficacy against placebo for clinical outcomes.
  • To assess the safety profile of azathioprine, including malignancy risks.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 1-year duration.
  • Inclusion of cohort studies, case controls, and case series for adverse effect assessment.
  • Utilized Cochrane MS Group search strategy and regulatory agency data for comprehensive safety evaluation.

Main Results:

  • The review aimed to determine the trade-off between azathioprine's benefits and risks.
  • Key clinical outcomes like disability progression and relapses were assessed.
  • Safety concerns, especially the potential for increased malignancy, were a primary focus.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough benefit-risk assessment is crucial for azathioprine use in MS.
  • The study provides a systematic evaluation of azathioprine's role in MS treatment.
  • Understanding AZA's safety profile is essential for informed clinical decisions.