Preliminary reports on a therapeutical trial in multiple sclerosis.

A therapeutic trial with azathioprine and steroids has been carried out on a group of definite MS subjects. Such pharmacologic association was suggested by many observations pointing out the possibility of balancing the adverse effects of azathioprine by steroid administration. The therapeutic protocol included an alternate administration of azathioprine 2 mg/Kg/die for 15 consecutive days, followed by triamcinolone 40 mg IM in a single dose during the following 15 days. The patient population was composed of 34 subjects, 7 of which showed a RR course, 15 a RP form and 12 a CP course. Our results showed that this treatment appeared particularly useful in RP forms; it could also be indicated in CP forms, at the beginning of chronic progression.