Romine JS, Sipe JC, Koziol JA, Zyroff J, Beutler E
Division of Neurology, Scripps Clinic.
[Record supplied by publisher]

We conducted an 18-month, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to  evaluate cladribine in the treatment of 52 patients with  relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Patients received either
placebo or cladribine 0.07 mg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection for 5  consecutive days as six monthly courses for a total cumulative dose  of 2.1 mg/kg. Analysis of results revealed a statistically  significant favorable effect of cladribine on the joint frequency and  severity of relapses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.  MRI-enhancing lesions were completely suppressed in the cladribine   patients by the sixth month of treatment. Mild segmental herpes  zoster occurred in two cladribine-treated patients and one patient  receiving placebo. Otherwise, there were no side effects or adverse  events. We conclude that cladribine shows promise as a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

PMID: 9893155

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