Active comparator-controlled, rater-blinded study of corticotropin-based immunotherapies for opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome

J Child Neurol. 2012 Jul;27(7):875-84. doi: 10.1177/0883073811428816. Epub 2012 Feb 28.

Abstract

To test the efficacy and safety of corticotropin-based immunotherapies in pediatric opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, 74 children received corticotropin alone or with intravenous immunoglobulin (groups 1 and 2, active controls); or both with rituximab (group 3) or cyclophosphamide (group 4); or with rituximab plus chemotherapy (group 5) or steroid sparers (group 6). There was 65% improvement in motor severity score across groups (P < .0001), but treatment combinations were more effective than corticotropin alone (P = .0009). Groups 3, 4, and 5 responded better than group 1; groups 3 and 5 responded better than group 2. The response frequency to corticotropin was higher than to prior corticosteroids (P < .0001). Fifty-five percent had adverse events (corticosteroid excess), more so with multiagents (P = .03); and 10% had serious adverse events. This study demonstrates greater efficacy of corticotropin-based multimodal therapy compared with conventional therapy, greater response to corticotropin than corticosteroid-based therapy, and overall tolerability.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / immunology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Hormones
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids
  • Rituximab
  • Dexamethasone
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone