The effect of inosiplex in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)
Nihei, K.; Kudo, H.; Abe, T.; Naito, H.; Suzuki, S.; Miyao, M.
No To Hattatsu 16(4): 262-270
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0831 PMID: 6207848 Document Number: 221508
Four cases of SSPE showing typical laboratory and clinical findings were treated with inosiplex (isoprinosine). Three of these cases were in stage 1 of Jabbour's clinical classification and one was in stage 2 when the treatment started. They had not been treated with any specific medication other than antileptic drugs. We administered orally 50 to 200 mg/kg/day of inosiplex to each case. We also used transfer factor percutaneously during the early period of the inosiplex therapy in order to augment the immunological effects. In one patient, who was in the end of stage 2, her clinical symptom has improved gradually since 3 months after the treatment. She became able to walk alone, speak meaningful words and draw a picture. During the period of more than 2 years after the treatment, her symptom is still improving. Another patient showed slight improvement, during the first several months. However, he got worse gradually to the stage 4 within several months thereafter. Other two cases showed rapid progress in spite of the administration of inosiplex and transfer factor. These three progressed cases are in the stage 4 at present. All four cases are still alive, though more than 2 years has passed after the treatment. In one case who showed clinical remission, serum antibody titers of measles have been gradually decreasing since one year after the treatment. In another three cases including a case that showed a transient remission, measles antibody titers did not change. Any significant side effect during the treatment were not observed. Since a spontaneous remission in SSPE is rarely known, it was not decided whether the inosiplex therapy was effective or not this case. However, it may be able to prolong life in patients with SSPE. Further evaluation is necessary also in Japan in order to establish the effect of this drug.