View clinical trials related to HTLV-I-Associated Myelopathy.
Filter by:An open-label, non-randomised, uncontrolled, proof-of-concept study of eight patients with 'definite' HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Eligible patients will have either early disease (of less than 2 years duration) or progressive disease (with observed clinical deterioration during the preceding 3 months. Following 2 baseline assessments including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord and a lumbar puncture for examination of the fluid around the brain (CSF) participants will be treated with a total of 7 infusions of the anti-TNF-alpha antibody infliximab over a period of 48 weeks. After the last on therapy assessment at 48 weeks participants will be followed up for a further 24 weeks. Study assessments will be clinical, virological, immunological and radiological. MRIs of the spinal cord will be obtained at weeks 12 and 72. CSF will be examined, on therapy, at week 12.
Reversible acetylation of the histone tails plays an important role in the control of specific gene expression. Mounting evidence has established that histone deacetylase inhibitors such as Valproic Acid (VPA)selectively induce cellular differentiation and apoptosis in variety of cancer cells. In a single-center, one year open-label trial, 19 HAM/TSP patients were treated with oral doses of VPA (20mg/Kg/day). Primary end-points were the therapeutic safety and the effect on HTLV-1 proviral load (a significant and sustained decrease was expected). Secondary end-point was the neurological status before and after one-year treatment.