Max
06-26-2002, 02:44 PM
High-dose cyclophosphamide without stem-cell rescue for refractory CIDP
T.H. Brannagan, III, MD, A. Pradhan, MD, T. Heiman-Patterson, MD, A.C. Winkelman, MD, M.J. Styler, MD, D.L. Topolsky, MD, P.A. Crilley, DO, R.J. Schwartzman, MD, I. Brodsky, MD and D.E. Gladstone, MD
From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Brannagan, Heiman-Patterson, Winkelman, and Schwartzman) and Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology (Drs. Pradhan, Styler, Topolsky, Crilley, Brodsky, and Gladstone), MCP-Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Thomas Brannagan, Cornell University Medical Center, 635 Madison Ave, Suite 400, New York, NY 10022; e-mail: THB2006@med.cornell.edu
Four patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) who were refractory to conventional treatment were treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg over 4 days). All improved in functional status and muscle strength. Nerve conduction studies improved in three of four. Other immunomodulatory medications have been discontinued. High-dose cyclophosphamide can be given safely to patients with CIDP and patients with disease persistence after standard therapy may have a response that lasts for over 3 years and results in long-term disease remission.
T.H. Brannagan, III, MD, A. Pradhan, MD, T. Heiman-Patterson, MD, A.C. Winkelman, MD, M.J. Styler, MD, D.L. Topolsky, MD, P.A. Crilley, DO, R.J. Schwartzman, MD, I. Brodsky, MD and D.E. Gladstone, MD
From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Brannagan, Heiman-Patterson, Winkelman, and Schwartzman) and Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology (Drs. Pradhan, Styler, Topolsky, Crilley, Brodsky, and Gladstone), MCP-Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Thomas Brannagan, Cornell University Medical Center, 635 Madison Ave, Suite 400, New York, NY 10022; e-mail: THB2006@med.cornell.edu
Four patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) who were refractory to conventional treatment were treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg over 4 days). All improved in functional status and muscle strength. Nerve conduction studies improved in three of four. Other immunomodulatory medications have been discontinued. High-dose cyclophosphamide can be given safely to patients with CIDP and patients with disease persistence after standard therapy may have a response that lasts for over 3 years and results in long-term disease remission.