title: Effect of immunosuppressive cladribine treatment on serum leucocytes system in two-year clinical trial in patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis is presumably cell-mediated autoimmune disorder with immune abnormalities as presence of activated T-cells and increase interleukin 2 (IL-2) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in central nervous system and peripheral blood of patients. The aim of immunosuppressive treatment is to diminish such activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive cladribine treatment with total dose of 2.1 mg/kg b.w. administered in 7 cycles for 12 months, on serum leucocytes in 34 chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) patients observed for 2 years as well as IL-2 and sIL-2R serum levels assessed before and right after the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The patients were divided in two groups: group I, cladribine-treated, n = 34; group II, placebo-treated, n = 35. Group III were healthy controls, n = 20. Leucocyte levels were determined with flow-cytometry. IL-2 and sIL-2R levels were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant gradual decrease of lymphocyte level was observed from 7th week to 12th month after the beginning of treatment. During the following 12 months, lymphocyte levels remained decreased in comparison to baseline. Mean values of IL-2 and sIL-2R levels measured 12 months after the treatment were found to be lowered by 20% (p. = 0.01) and by 24% (p. = 0.0005), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained indicate fast and long-lasting decrease of serum leucocyte level and suppressive influence of cladribine treatment on immune processes in multiple sclerosis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Janiec
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wajgt
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kondera-Anasz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects; D017338:Cladribine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D010919:Placebos; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010919:Placebos; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D017338:Cladribine