Intravenous immunoglobulin and mitoxantrone stop the progression of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in a patient with interferon intolerance.

A 36 year-old female patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis accompanied by neuropsychiatric depression and history of intolerance to beta-interferon was treated with mitoxantrone (MX) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 2 years. Both clinical response and magnetic resonance imaging were performed at the end. With a combination of MX and IVIG long-term treatment, her disabilities improved as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The combination therapy was well-tolerated. It represents an alternative to treat patients who do not respond well to cytostatics alone, or in those in whom intolerance to interferons may also occur. Immunomodulation with intravenous immunoglobulin stopped the progression of the disease and avoided subsequent exacerbations during 24 months. The role of high doses of immunoglobulins in the treatment of patients with secondary progressive MS deserves clinical trials to evaluate the stopping of progression of the disease in comparison to remissions induced by cytostatics, interferons and steroids.