Experience with long-term treatment with albumin-supplemented botulinum toxin type A.

In earlier studies, we have demonstrated the efficacy of albumin-supplemented botulinum toxin type A (ASBTA) in principle. Here, we present long-term data from 106 patients who received ASTBA over 5-10 years for the treatment of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Vials of Dysport were diluted in 0.1% albumin solution to a concentration of 25 units/ml. Overall patients and indications, the mean latency to response was 7.1 +/- 2.2 days, the mean duration of response was 12.3 +/- 3.1 weeks and the mean global clinical improvement (scale 0-3) was 2.6 +/- 0.2. Only one patient had neutralizing antibodies against BoNT-A. Side effects were less frequent than known for conventional BoNT-A and generally mild. These findings were confirmed by analysis of data of 71 patients who have been reconverted from ASBTA to conventional dilutions of Dysport or Botox. We conclude that long-term treatment with ASBTA is effective, safe and help to reduce costs.