Immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory treatments for multifocal motor neuropathy

Multifocal motor neuropathy is characterised by progressive, predominantly distal, asymmetrical limb weakness and usually multiple partial motor nerve conduction blocks. Intravenous immunoglobulin is beneficial but the role of immunosuppressive agents is uncertain.

To provide the best available evidence from randomised controlled trials on the role of immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of multifocal motor neuropathy.

For this update, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Register (October 8 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (from January 1966 to October 8 2008), and EMBASE (from January 1980 to October 8 2008), for trials of multifocal motor neuropathy.

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials were to be included and one was found. Prospective and retrospective case series and case reports were considered in the Discussion.

Two review authors searched the titles and abstracts of the articles identified and extracted the data independently.

In this update, we found the first randomised controlled trial of multifocal motor neuropathy. This study, which randomised 28 patients, showed that mycophenolate mofetil did not significantly improve strength or function or reduce the need for intravenous immunoglobulin. We summarised the results of retrospective and prospective case series in the discussion.

In the only randomised placebo-controlled trial of any immunosuppressive agent, mycophenolate mofetil did not produce significant benefit. Trials of other immunosuppressants should be undertaken.