title: No benefit of treatment with cyclophosphamide and autologous blood stem cell transplantation in multifocal motor neuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) usually respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), but because of the short-lasting effect the treatment must be given repeatedly. Remission after treatment with high-dose cyclophosphamide has recently been reported in one patient refractory to IVIG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report on a patient who responded to IVIG, but temporarily deteriorated dramatically after treatment with high-dose cyclophosphamide and autologous blood stem cell transplantation. Today the situation is the same as before the treatment with cyclophosphamide and blood stem cell transplantation, i.e. IVIG is given every 4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our patient did not benefit from the treatment with high-dose cyclophosphamide and autologous blood stem cell transplantation. The effect of treatment with high-dose cyclophosphamide in MMN seems to be difficult to predict and that should be paid attention to if this type of treatment is considered.
authors: Department of Neurophysiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. hans.axelson@akademiska.se
authors: H W
authors: HW
authors: Axelson
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Oberg
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Askmark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide