[Treatment of multiple sclerosis with cladribine (2-CDA), a new immunosuppressant agent. Theoretical basis and preliminary results].

The rationale for immunosuppressive treatment of multiple sclerosis comes from current concepts of pathogenesis of this disease. However, clinical effects of immunosuppression have been largely disappointing. Cladribine (chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine, 2CdA) is a new antileukaemic drug which also shows a strong immunosuppressive activity in vitro and in vivo. Being successfully used to treat lymphoproliferative diseases during last few years, cladribine is currently tested in multiple sclerosis. Preliminary results of two independent randomized, placebo-controlled trials are very promising. The indicate that treatment with cladribine may halt the progression of chronic progressive MS, and decrease the frequency of relapses and improve neurological status in remitting-relapsing stage of the disease.