I was on Mitoxantrone about 15 or so years ago due to very active MS and was also in my late twenties. After, as maintenance, was put on Copaxone, then Avonex (due to issues with injection sites). Am now on DMF. I have to say, although risky, Mitox immediately brought my relapses under control and have been pretty stable since but it was definitely a hard drug to be on - unfortunately, it was my only choice at the time (was waiting for Natalizumab to be licensed) and felt my MS was just too active to wait as my relapses were disabling me! So, in answer to the question, yes I do think there is a place for using Mitoxantrone where there isn't another option, such as in resource poor settings. It is important to weigh up however against these types of treatments the risks and benefits of doing so and remember that MS, when out of control, can also affect someone's life.
I am not familiar with mitoxantrone, however, I received high doses of cyclophosphamide for four months (following four months of doxorubicin). I can attest cyclophosphamide is not an easy drug (neither of these are) and they can definitely come with substantial permanent side effects. I admit, my MS symptoms lessened substantially while I was on chemotherapy and for a while after, but I don’t think it had a huge beneficial long term effect. (This is merely anecdotal on my part.) I would defer to you, Dr G, and agree if I were a person as young as this patient, I would definitely seek an alternative if it’s possible.
I was on Mitoxantrone about 15 or so years ago due to very active MS and was also in my late twenties. After, as maintenance, was put on Copaxone, then Avonex (due to issues with injection sites). Am now on DMF. I have to say, although risky, Mitox immediately brought my relapses under control and have been pretty stable since but it was definitely a hard drug to be on - unfortunately, it was my only choice at the time (was waiting for Natalizumab to be licensed) and felt my MS was just too active to wait as my relapses were disabling me! So, in answer to the question, yes I do think there is a place for using Mitoxantrone where there isn't another option, such as in resource poor settings. It is important to weigh up however against these types of treatments the risks and benefits of doing so and remember that MS, when out of control, can also affect someone's life.
I am not familiar with mitoxantrone, however, I received high doses of cyclophosphamide for four months (following four months of doxorubicin). I can attest cyclophosphamide is not an easy drug (neither of these are) and they can definitely come with substantial permanent side effects. I admit, my MS symptoms lessened substantially while I was on chemotherapy and for a while after, but I don’t think it had a huge beneficial long term effect. (This is merely anecdotal on my part.) I would defer to you, Dr G, and agree if I were a person as young as this patient, I would definitely seek an alternative if it’s possible.