title: Cyclophosphamide-based combination therapies for autoimmunity.
abstract: Immunomodulatory agent (IMA)-unresponsive multiple sclerosis (MS) can quickly evolve to a dramatic and irreversible disability. Treating these patients with appropriate immunosuppressive therapies can be a chance to arrest disease activity and progression. Cyclophosphamide (Cyc)-based intense immunosuppression has been successfully used to treat rapidly deteriorating, IMA-refractory MS patients. Therapeutic protocols combining Cyc and interferon beta (IFNbeta) have also been successfully applied to treat IFNbeta-unresponsive MS. The association of Cyc with other immunomodulatory drugs or monoclonal antibodies is currently being investigated in clinical trials aimed at treating severe forms of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre-Veneto Region, Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta; D003520:Cyclophosphamide