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Clinical experience with azathioprine: the pros
G W Ellison1, L W Myers, M R Mickey
1Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1769.
Neurology
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Combination therapy with methylprednisolone and azathioprine showed a trend toward limiting multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Azathioprine reduced relapse rates and stabilized visual evoked potentials in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neurological disease.
- Current treatments for chronic progressive MS have limited efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with methylprednisolone and azathioprine in patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A 36-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative clinical trial was conducted.
- 98 patients in the chronic progression phase of MS were enrolled.
- Treatments included methylprednisolone and azathioprine.
Main Results:
- A trend favoring combination therapy for limiting MS progression was observed.
- Azathioprine recipients experienced half the relapse rate compared to the control group.
- Combination therapy stabilized visual evoked potential latencies.
Conclusions:
- Combination therapy with adrenal steroids and azathioprine may be beneficial for limiting MS progression.
- Early administration of this combination therapy warrants further investigation.
- Continuous use of the combination could be a viable therapeutic strategy for early-stage MS.