Immunotherapy of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
BACKGROUND
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated disease. Current treatments are aimed at modulating the immune response to achieve remission and maintain functional status. However, many patients fail to make a long-term recovery with current treatments.


OBJECTIVE
to review the literature on immunotherapy for CIDP.


METHODS
We used the Search Strategy of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Review Group to search Medline and Embase. Randomised and non-randomised studies examining the effects of any therapeutic agent in patients with CIDP were selected. The references of relevant articles were scanned to identify additional reports of interest.


CONCLUSIONS
An overview of the different treatments for CIDP is provided. Emphasis has been placed on evidence from randomised controlled trials but open non-randomised studies are discussed if appropriate. We include a treatment algorithm and provide our views on current treatments, ongoing trials and possible directions for further research.
Eftimov
F
F
Academic Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. f.eftimov@amc.uva.nl
van Schaik
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IN
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents