INTRODUCTION: T cells occupy a central role in MS and CIDP pathogenesis. High dose cyclophosphamide's in-vivo cytotoxic-effect on circulating memory and naïve T cells is unknown. METHOD: Three MS and five CIDP patients received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) for refractory disease. Before and after chemotherapy administration, peripheral blood T-cell subsets were determined. Patients underwent serial neurologic evaluations quarterly. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide uniformly decreased clinical disease activity. Compared to memory T cells, naïve T cells were preferentially eradicated. DISCUSSION: Cyclophosphamide effectiveness in autoimmune illness may result from Naïve T-cell destruction, as this compartment may be the source of autoreactive lymphocytes.
INTRODUCTION: T cells occupy a central role in MS and CIDP pathogenesis. High dose cyclophosphamide's in-vivo cytotoxic-effect on circulating memory and naïve T cells is unknown. METHOD: Three MS and five CIDPpatients received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) for refractory disease. Before and after chemotherapy administration, peripheral blood T-cell subsets were determined. Patients underwent serial neurologic evaluations quarterly. RESULTS:Cyclophosphamide uniformly decreased clinical disease activity. Compared to memory T cells, naïve T cells were preferentially eradicated. DISCUSSION: Cyclophosphamide effectiveness in autoimmune illness may result from Naïve T-cell destruction, as this compartment may be the source of autoreactive lymphocytes.
Authors: Franz Josef Gassner; Lukas Weiss; Roland Geisberger; Josefina Piñón Hofbauer; Alexander Egle; Tanja Nicole Hartmann; Richard Greil; Inge Tinhofer Journal: Cancer Immunol Immunother Date: 2010-09-21 Impact factor: 6.968