title: High-dose cyclophosphamide without stem cell rescue for refractory multifocal motor neuropathy.
abstract: Patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) respond to intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) and cyclophosphamide, although the benefit is not sustained. High-dose cyclophosphamide can induce a remission in patients with autoimmune diseases, including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). We describe a patient with refractory MMN who improved with high-dose cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg for 4 days) without stem cell rescue. Following treatment she discontinued IVIg. At a 6-month examination, her strength had improved and she had regained the ability to write. High-dose cyclophosphamide may be a successful treatment for patients with MMN refractory to other therapies.
authors.affiliation: Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Peripheral Neuropathy Center, 635 Madison Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10022, USA. THB2006@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brannagan
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alaedini
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Gladstone
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide