Azathioprine for multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Azathioprine (AZA) is an immunosuppressive drug widely prescribed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) until the first half of the 1990s. It could be an alternative to interferon beta because it is less expensive. Concerns about its safety, mainly a possible increased risk of malignancy, have been raised. This systematic review aimed to determine the trade off between the benefits and risks of azathioprine in MS.


OBJECTIVE
To compare azathioprine with placebo. To assess the effect of azathioprine on major clinical outcomes (ie, disability progression and relapses) in patients with MS, and to evaluate the drug's safety.


METHODS
The Cochrane MS Group search strategy was adopted to identify relevant articles. All randomised controlled trials comparing azathioprine treatment of a least 1 year duration with placebo for patients with MS were eligible for the review. Cohorts, case controls, case series and case reports were also considered to assess adverse effects. Regulatory agencies were additional sources of information for adverse effects. More details are available in the full review.
Casetta
I
I
Section of Clinical Neurology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Communication and Behaviour, University of Ferrara, Corso della Giovecca 203, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy. cti@dns.unife.it
Iuliano
G
G
Filippini
G
G
D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine