CSF biomarker profiles of MS patients treated with intrathecal methotrexate (ITMTX)

Methotrexate is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor with
anti-metabolite and anti-inflammatory properties. We have
previously shown that intrathecal methotrexate (ITMTX) is a
safe and well tolerated therapy in treatment unresponsive
MS patients with progressive forms of the disease. In our
initial study of 121 patients, ITMTX was administered every 2
months. Following 8 treatments, disease stabilization (EDSS
stable or improved) was seen in over 80% of patients with
both secondary progressive and primary progressive MS. In
a separate ongoing study, we have seen disease
stabilization over a period of 3 to 6 years during which
patients have continued to receive ITMTX (16-42 treatments)
(see poster # 515). The mechanism of action of ITMTX in MS
patients who are unresponsive to other disease modifying
agents is currently unknown.