Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis/epidemiology , Age of Onset , Female , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Male , PrevalenceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of mitoxantrone (MX) in pediatric patients with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis on pediatric MS patients treated with MX was performed with regards to demographic/clinical parameters and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. RESULTS: 19 definite pediatric MS cases with mean ± SD age of 15.4 ± 2.8 years underwent 20 mg MX for control of their severe/frequent relapses, high EDSS score or new and active brain MRI lesions. After a median [IQR] follow-up period of 30[12-60] months, 14 cases (73%) were relapse free; the EDSS score decreased by at least 0.5 in 16 cases (84.2%); and gadolinium-enhancing lesion volume fell by 84.2% in 16 cases. Adverse events included nausea and vomiting, fatigue, alopecia, palpitation, cardiomyopathy and mild leukopenia. All adverse events were mild and transient. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest MX is a good candidate for treatment of children with worsening RRMS and SPMS. Recommendations regarding patient selection, treatment administration, and close follow-up should be considered. Continuing research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety profile in a multinational collaboration with careful follow-up of adverse events.
Subject(s)
Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Mitoxantrone/therapeutic use , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/drug therapy , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
This is a brief celebratory overview of the fruitful life and scientific endeavors of Professor Ali Asghar Khodadoust (b.1935), a world renowned ophthalmologist, Persian icon of modern ophthalmology and an international pioneer of eye research. The global reputation of Dr. Khodadoust is rooted in his extensive studies on corneal diseases and transplantation biology. As a result of his truly deserved world renown, several famous American ophthalmologists have recognized him as the world's best corneal graft surgeon. Due to his exceptionally impressive achievements in this field, a clinical finding has been named in his honor, the "Khodadoust rejection line", a sign indicative of a chronic focal transplant reaction.
