Novantrone, Cytoxan compared in SPMS trial

A recent comparison of mitoxantrone (trade name Novantrone) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) in secondary progressive MS subjects showed a similar degree of benefit from each drug. (Both drugs are chemotherapies; mitoxantrone is already FDA-approved for treatment of SPMS.) This trial involved 50 SPMS subjects whose EDSS scores had decreased by at least one point in the past two years. Twenty-five subjects were assigned to each drug, and they were treated for two years with regular clinical and imaging evaluations. At the end of the two years, each group showed similar reductions in relapse rate and disability progression, with no major safety issues occurring. The authors recommend that cyclophosphamide be considered for treating people with rapidly progressive MS.