Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Cristiano

Publications and source records attributed to E Cristiano.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Disease-modifying therapy in relapsing--remitting multiple sclerosis: efficacy is paramount.

The primary objective in the management of a chronic disease is to maximise therapeutic effectiveness, according to the general consensus among specialists. Recent market research has confirmed that a treatment's effectiveness is the primary consideration for neurologists' choice of therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). Of the available disease-modifying therapies, interferon (IFN) beta appears to be consistently more efficacious than glatiramer acetate. High doses of therapy, and frequent administration of IFN beta should be used to provide maximal effects. This has been supported by a recent Class I comparative trial of two commercial preparations of IFN beta-1a. Preliminary results indicated significantly greater efficacy for IFN beta-1a (Rebif, Serono) 44 microg administered subcutaneously three times weekly (t.i.w.), over IFN beta-1 (Avonex, Biogen) 30 microg administered intramuscularly once weekly IFN beta-1a, 44 microg t.i.w., provides maximal efficacy for patients with relapsing forms of MS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

[Current concepts on the use of some immunomodulatory drugs in the treatment of multiple sclerosis].

Biotechnological research and a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) have recently led to major breakthroughs in treatment. Different drugs that modify the disease process such as interferon beta 1a, interferon beta 1b and glatiramer acetate are now available. Decisions about initiation of therapy and choice of agent should be individualised based on the severity and activity of the disease, concomitant illnesses, adverse effects of the drugs, lifestyle issues, and patient preferences. These different drugs were tested in different clinical trials that used different designs, patient populations, endpoints and statistical analysis. Therefore, simple comparisons between them are hazardous. In this article, the pivotal clinical trials of beta interferons and glatiramer acetate in the treatment of MS are reviewed, and recommendations for their appropriate use are provided. Several ongoing and planned clinical trials in various stages of disease will help to define further the role of these agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of monotherapy and polytherapy on the blink reflex in epileptic patients.

We performed the blink reflex (BR) in 20 normal volunteers, 13 epileptic patients receiving antiepileptic drug (AED) monotherapy, and 13 epileptic patients receiving AED polytherapy. Comparison of R1, ipsilateral and contralateral R2 and VIIth nerve latencies in the three groups showed no statistically significant differences R1 and VIIth nerve latencies among the three groups. There were statistically significant differences between the polytherapy group and the monotherapy and control groups in comparisons of ipsilateral and contralateral R2. There were no significant differences between the monotherapy group and the control group for ipsilateral and contralateral R2. We hypothesized that AED polytherapy might interfere with synaptic transmission in the polysynaptic pathway of the blink reflex, prolonging the latency of R2. These results provide further evidence of the pathophysiologic effects associated with polytherapy in epileptic patients.

Adolescent↗