Interferon Beta-1a Improves Urinary Symptoms, Reduces Proviral Load, and Modifies the Immune Response in a Patient with HAM/TSP. (16th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Davi Tanajura; Sundberg, Michael; Passos, Lúcia; Muniz, André Luiz; Santos, Silvane
• Other Names: Banerjee T. K. Academic Editor.; Wessel K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in neurological medicine. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-08-16
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology; Nervous System Diseases; Nervous system -- Diseases; Neurology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/958786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6676

Abstract

Abstract : The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the known causative agent of a chronic neurologic condition known as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Although several therapies have been evaluated for HAM/TSP, none have been approved for use in humans. In this paper, we describe a 55-year-old female patient with HAM/TSP who was treated with interferon beta-1a. This patient, in comparison to 20 female patients with HAM/TSP who were not treated, showed improvement in urinary symptoms over four years of therapy, as well as a reduction in HTLV-1 proviral load and serum cytokine levels typically observed in HAM/TSP. This improved outcome merits further controlled studies on the use and efficacy of interferon beta-1a as a therapy for HAM/TSP.