From: Smigrodzki, Rafal (SmigrodzkiR@msx.upmc.edu)
Date: Mon Jun 10 2002 - 15:28:24 MDT
The newest results I heard about is the use of induction therapy with
mitoxanthrone and steroids at time of diagnosis. This reportedly resulted in
a 90% reduction in the frequency of relapses. Most likely the neurologist
threating your friend will initally use interferons or Copaxone, leaving
mitoxanthreone for the cases progressing despite therapy. Stem cell
transplants are also presently used only in advanced cases, as an
investigational therapy but with some spectacular results - arrest in the
rate of progression in the vast majority of patients.
Probably the most practically feasible course of action for a patient who
was only recently diagnosed is to try to convince the treating physician to
start her/him on Rebif, and to try to enroll in any experimental studies,
especially reagrding the use of combination interferon/Copaxone therapy.
Rafal Smigrodzki
MD-PhD, Dept Neurology UPMC Pittsburgh
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