Azathioprine in Multiple Sclerosis

Paolo      Invernizz; Maria   Donata   Benedetti; Sarah      Poli; Salvatore      Monaco

doi:10.2174/138955708785132756

Abstract

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive and steroid-sparing purine analogue, used in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, available evidence suggests that oral azathioprine reduces relapse rates, provides a slight benefit on disability, and reduces new inflammatory lesions. Here, we focus on molecular mechanisms of Azathioprine and on its usefulness in multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Azathioprine, multiple sclerosis, immunosuppression, thiopurine methyltransferase, tolerability, relapses, disability, immunomodulators