Plasmapheresis in multiple sclerosis: prospective trial of pheresis and immunosuppression versus immunosuppression alone.

A prospective trial of plasmapheresis and azathioprine or azathioprine alone was carrier out on 20 patients with chronic progressive MS. Seven of 10 patients in each group continued therapy for 12 months. When the groups were compared by disability ratings, the combination of plasmapheresis and azathioprine was no better than azathioprine alone. Transient subjective improvement occasionally followed plasmapheresis, but no objective improvement was documented.