Lymphocytapheresis in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: Results of a preliminary trial

Lymphocytapheresis remains an expensive and investigational therapy that produces transient depletion of circulating lymphocytes in patients with MS. This study indicates that lymphocytapheresis alone does not prevent further progression of rapidly progressive MS. Although short-term clinical improvement was observed in some of the patients with more slowly progressive disease, a placebo effect cannot be excluded, and only a controlled trial will establish if the improvement is related to the treatment. At present this form of treatment cannot be recommended outside of clinical trials.