A Pilot Study of Mitoxantrone for the Treatment of Recurrent Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic's Disease)

Summary

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease that selectively involves the optic nerves and the spinal cord but usually spares the brain. NMO is considered to have a B cell induced pathogenesis. Mitoxantrone (MITO, Novantrone®), a synthetic anthracenedione approved for worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and secondary progressive MS, has been shown to primarily suppress the humoral response. We conducted a prospective 2-year study to evaluate the benefit of MITO in five relapsing NMO patients.

Timeline

Start

2001-08

Primary completion

—

Completion

2004-05

Publications

• Results Weinstock-Guttman B, Ramanathan M, Lincoff N, Napoli SQ, Sharma J, Feichter J, Bakshi R. Study of mitoxantrone for the treatment of recurrent neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease). Arch Neurol. 2006 Jul;63(7):957-63. doi: 10.1001/archneur.63.7.957.

Drugs

Indications