Novantrone for MS

Complied by Alan Wittenberg, MSW,
from information from Immunex, October 2000

Novantrone ® (mitoxantrone for injection concentrate) is the first therapy approved for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, progressive relapsing or worsening relapsing-remitting MS. It is not indicated in treatment for primary progressive MS.

Developed by Immunex Corporation, after the drug passed safety trials, Novantrone went through a 24 month Phase III clinical trial and demonstrated a statistically significant impact on the following:

reduction of relapse rate
delay in disability progression
reduction in the number of new MS lesions seen on an MRI

Novantrone is administered by a short (approximately 5 to 15 minutes) I-V infusion once every three months over a two to three year period. Due to its potency, it should not be used by people with serious heart problems, liver disease or certain blood disorders. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not use it. Patients should be tested on a regular basis to make sure there is no problem with the heart's ability to pump blood. Patients and their doctors should also carefully track how much Novantrone is administered.

Potential side effects of Novantrone in patients with MS are: nausea, hair loss, bladder infections, changes in menstrual cycle, mouth sores, diarrhea, constipation, and changes in cardiac rhythm.

How does Novantrone work? According the Immunex, "Novantrone acts in people with MS by suppressing the activity of certain white blood cells known as T cells, B cells and macrophages that are thought to lead the attack on the myelin sheath. It is currently marketed, in combination with corticosteroids, to treat pain in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer and for initial therapy of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia."

Source of information was from Immunex Corporation. To review the findings on Novantrone in more depth, follow this link to the Immunex website: http://www.novantrone.com

Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.




	Novantrone for MS Complied by Alan Wittenberg, MSW, from information from Immunex, October 2000 Novantrone ® (mitoxantrone for injection concentrate) is the first therapy approved for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, progressive relapsing or worsening relapsing-remitting MS. It is not indicated in treatment for primary progressive MS. Developed by Immunex Corporation, after the drug passed safety trials, Novantrone went through a 24 month Phase III clinical trial and demonstrated a statistically significant impact on the following: reduction of relapse rate delay in disability progression reduction in the number of new MS lesions seen on an MRI Novantrone is administered by a short (approximately 5 to 15 minutes) I-V infusion once every three months over a two to three year period. Due to its potency, it should not be used by people with serious heart problems, liver disease or certain blood disorders. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not use it. Patients should be tested on a regular basis to make sure there is no problem with the heart's ability to pump blood. Patients and their doctors should also carefully track how much Novantrone is administered. Potential side effects of Novantrone in patients with MS are: nausea, hair loss, bladder infections, changes in menstrual cycle, mouth sores, diarrhea, constipation, and changes in cardiac rhythm. How does Novantrone work? According the Immunex, "Novantrone acts in people with MS by suppressing the activity of certain white blood cells known as T cells, B cells and macrophages that are thought to lead the attack on the myelin sheath. It is currently marketed, in combination with corticosteroids, to treat pain in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer and for initial therapy of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia." Source of information was from Immunex Corporation. To review the findings on Novantrone in more depth, follow this link to the Immunex website: http://www.novantrone.com Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.
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