Plasmapheresis in multiple sclerosis: preliminary study.
In six of eight patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) who were previously unresponsive to corticosteroid medication, moderate but unequivocal improvement occurred after short-term plasmapheresis, prednisone, and azathioprine therapy. In four patients, improvement gradually disappeared in the 2 to 3 months after therapy, and two patients have remained improved. There were no exacerbations during the treatment period. No consistent improvement in evoked response batteries was seen after plasmapheresis; IgG levels in cerebrospinal fluid were lowered by plasmapheresis. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of plasmapheresis in the treatment of MS is warranted.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011241:Prednisone