Cyclosporine versus azathioprine in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: 12-month clinical and immunological evaluation.
The aim of this trial was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of cyclosporine A (CYA) and azathioprine (AZA) as long-term immunosuppressive treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis. 31 randomly assigned patients completed a 12-month treatment with either CYA (5 mg/kg/day) or AZA (2 mg/kg/day). Evaluation included serial quantitative clinical assessments and circulating T cell markers. The CYA treatment group improved in only one of three scoring systems (p less than 0.05), while no difference was observed in the AZA group. CYA and AZA did not influence CD4+/CD8+ ratio of circulating T cells but affected HNK-1+ cells. The overall frequency of abnormal laboratory values were comparable in both groups. We conclude that CYA given in a low dose is relatively well tolerated but its benefits appear to be of limited value.
Department of Neurology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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AJ
Steck
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F
Regli
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F
Ochsner
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G
Gauthier
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype
D003524:Cyclosporins; D001379:Azathioprine