title: Cladribine in aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine) is an immunosuppressant drug previously evaluated in multiple sclerosis (MS) with variable results. We report six patients with aggressive relapsing MS who despite a poor response to other therapies had a favourable clinical evolution after cladribine. Four women and two men with a rapid increase in the number and severity of relapses leading to increasing disability [mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6.42, standard deviation +/- 0.58, mean relapse rate per year in the 2 years prior to study entry 2.67 +/- 0.75] were retrospectively evaluated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in five patients showed active disease with gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Cladribine was given at 0.07 mg/kg/day for five consecutive days once monthly with a total of 2- to 4-monthly courses. After 6 months, mean EDSS decreased to 3.75 +/- 1.64 and MRIs showed a decrease or suppression in the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions. After 1 year from first dose, cladribine dosage was repeated in four patients because of recurrence of relapses with subsequent similar positive clinical results. In the follow-up period (49.33 +/- 39.66 months), the mean relapse rate decreased to 0.71 +/- 0.55 and no unexpected or serious adverse events were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07107-3001, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martinez-Rodriguez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cadavid
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wolansky
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pliner
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017338:Cladribine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017338:Cladribine