Inhibition of TNF-alpha synthesis with thalidomide for prevention of acute exacerbations and altering the natural history of multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder which has a relapsing/remitting course and is presently incurable. A variety of agents have been tried to prevent excerbations and alter the natural history of the disease. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated as the most important cytokine in the pathogenesis of MS. There is evidence that thalidomide is an agent which blocks production of TNF-alpha by a mechanism different from other agents. Hence it is hypothesized that using thalidomide as therapy would prevent acute exacerbations of MS as well as alter its natural history.
Sastry
P S
PS
Leukaemia/Myeloma Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013792:Thalidomide