A pilot study investigating the effects of orally administered pentoxifylline on selected immune variables in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is probably mainly mediated by T-helper 1 (TH1)-lymphocytes. TH1-function can be down-regulated in vitro and in animal experiments by pentoxifylline. Therefore, we included 20 multiple sclerosis patients in an open label pilot trial of pentoxifylline. Outcome parameter was the effect of treatment on levels of various cytokines and adhesion molecules in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, on production of TH1- and TH2-cytokines using cell stimulation assays, as well as on measures of T-cell activation and proliferation. Kurtzke's EDSS was a secondary efficacy parameter. A convincing and consistent effect of pentoxifylline could not be demonstrated.
van Oosten
B W
BW
Department of Neurology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Rep
M H
MH
van Lier
R A
RA
Scholten
P E
PE
von Blomberg
B M
BM
Pflughaupt
K W
KW
Hartung
H P
HP
Adèr
H J
HJ
Polman
C H
CH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D010431:Pentoxifylline