The effect of a combined mitoxantrone and methylprednisolone therapy in primary compared to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis – an interim analysis after five years

Background: Mitoxantrone (mitox) has been shown an effective treatment in secondary progressive (SP)- and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), (Hartung et al., Lancet 2002). The aim of this open trial was to evaluate the effects of a combined mitox and methylprednisolone (MP) therapy for patients with primary progressive (PP)-MS compared to SP-MS. Methods: This prospective study included patients with either a PP-MS or SP-MS who had had an impairment of at least 0.5 EDSS (expanded disability status scale of Kurtzke, mean±SD 0.7±0.4, range 0.5–2.5) points during the preceding 12 months. The treatment prot…