Intrathecal administration of natural human interferon alpha in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Ten patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were given intrathecal injections of natural interferon alpha, 1 million units weekly for 7 to 24 weeks. Six patients completed the trial. Four voluntarily withdrew after 7 to 13 injections. The slopes of deterioration for 40 quantitative tests of neuromuscular function for the control and treatment periods were compared by paired t test in the six patients who completed the trial and in the patient who withdrew after 13 injections. No significant differences were found. The patients tolerated treatment well. The CSF reaction was modest and spontaneously reversible. Indomethacin and ibuprofen blocked interferon side effects.
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
D007370:Interferon Type I