http://data.spotlighthealth.com/nasp/faxwatch/msarticle.asp?article_id=192

June 6, 2001

Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients benefited from treatment with Lederle Laboratories’ Rheumatrex (methotrexate) in a clinical setting, a new study revealed.

Researchers obtained neuropsychological data on 21 secondary progressive MS patients at six-month intervals.

At one year, 76 percent of patients were stable based on the definition that MS worsened if there was a one-half increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale score. Of the remaining 17 patients at 18 months, 71 percent were stable. At two years, 44 percent of the remaining patients were stable and at three years, 30 percent of the patients who remained were stable.

“Data suggest low-dose methotrexate is effective in stabilizing the majority of progressive MS patients for the first 18 months of therapy, but then may lose its potency,” the authors noted.