Stable remissions in myasthenia gravis.
Forty-two myasthenic patients received a total of 7.6 to 130 gm of cyclophosphamide over 2 to 37 months; 33 received prednisone concomitantly. Twenty-five (60%) are presently asympatomatic. Seventy-four percent improved after 1 month of therapy. Fifty-eight percent of those treated for a year, 86% of those treated for 2 years, and 100% of those treated for 32 months were asymptomatic. Based on our definition of remission (asymptomatic for at least 6 months without medication), 12 of the 16 patients (75%) followed for at least 18 months were in remission. Cyclophosphamide may have more specific therapeutic effects than other immunosuppressive drugs used to treat myasthenia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone