Tag: Mitoxantrone

Over 30 years of research have demonstrated that multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated disease, creating a rationale for the use of immunosuppressive therapy. A wide range of immunosuppressants are used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, from older chemotherapy agents to newer, highly-targeted monoclonal antibodies and oral drugs.

While there is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions worldwide, a few powerful disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) originated as or are still classified as chemotherapy agents. This guide explains **which MS drugs are chemotherapy**, explores their mechanisms, and distinguishes them from newer, more targeted immune therapies.

Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) was the first drug approved in the US for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), progressive-relapsing MS, and worsening relapsing-remitting MS. This potent chemotherapy drug functions as an immunosuppressant to help control the immune system's attack on the central nervous system in certain forms of MS.

The administration frequency of mitoxantrone varies significantly based on the medical condition it is treating, from quarterly infusions for multiple sclerosis to intensive, multi-day cycles for certain cancers. Understanding **how often is mitoxantrone given** is critical due to its potent nature and potential for serious side effects.

First approved by the FDA in 1987 for acute myeloid leukemia, mitoxantrone is a potent medication used to treat several serious conditions, including aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis and advanced prostate cancer. Due to its significant risk profile, it is typically reserved for cases where other treatments have been ineffective.