[Results of one-year treatment of multiple sclerosis with azathioprine compared with the therapy using small doses of Encorton].

A group of 21 patients with clinically confirmed multiple sclerosis were treated for one year with azathioprine, Germed, in daily doses of 50 or 75 mg depending on body weight. After two months the treatment was stopped for one month. The control group received prednisone (Encorton, Polfa) 5 or 10 mg daily.

[Late results of alternate treatment of multiple sclerosis with encorton and decaris].

A group of 18 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis were subjected to alternate treatment with Prednisone (Polfa) and Decaris (Richter). The results were compared with those in a control group of 18 cases treated exclusively with Prednisone during exacerbations of the disease. The results indicate that the alternate treatment has not any significant effect on the course of multiple sclerosis, evaluated by the Kurtzke disability scale.

[Late results of the treatment of the chronic progressive form of multiple sclerosis by intensive immunosuppression].

A group of 16 patients with secondary chronic progression of multiple sclerosis treated by short-lasting intensive immunosuppression (cyclophosphamide with ACTH) by the programme of Hausser et al (4) was compared with a clinically similar group of 16 patients treated exclusively with intramuscular ACTH. During 2 years of observation of the patients it was observed that short-lasting intensive immunosuppression induced with simultaneous administration of cyclophosphamide and ACTH had no beneficial effect on the slowly progressing form of multiple sclerosis. The observation leads to the conclusion that cyclophosphamide therapy should not be used in view of absence of favourable effect on the course of multiple sclerosis and the risk of increased frequency of malignant neoplasms which cannot be ruled out in this method.

[Early results of the treatment of chronic progressive forms of multiple sclerosis with cyclophosphamide and ACTH].

A group of 16 patients with chronic-progressing type of multiple sclerosis treated by intense immunosuppression (cyclophosphamide and ACTH) were followed-up for one year after completion of therapy. The results were compared with the observation of a control group of 16 patients with a similar type of multiple sclerosis. The choice of the type of therapy was done at random, and the results were assessed by a doctor who ignored the type of therapy used.

[Early results of alternating treatment of multiple sclerosis with immunosuppressive and immunomodulating drugs].

A group of 18 patients with clinically certain diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were treated alternate with prednisone and Decaris (levamisole). The results were compared with those in a control group of 18 cases with similar initial clinical parameters treated exclusively with prednisone during exacerbations of the disease. Alternating treatment with the mild immunosuppressant, prednisone, and with the immunomodulating drug Decaris caused a statistically significant reduction in the number of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, however, the effect of this treatment on the natural history of the disease could not have been established in view of the short period of follow-up.