Medical history of chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drug treatment and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Affiliates | Thomas Kuczmarski [1], Elijah W. Stommel [1], Kristen Riley [2], Rup Tandan [3], Vinay Chaudhry [2], Lora Clawson [2], Tracie A. Caller [4], Patricia L. Henegan [1], Dominic N. Facciponte [1], Walter G. Bradley [5], Angeline S. Andrew [1]
[1] Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center |
Journal | Journal of Neurology |
Summary | This study further investigates the observed lower risk of ALS amongst persons who’ve used ‘anti-neoplatic agents’ and ‘immuno-suppressants’. This is a case-control study of 414 persons living with ALS and 361 controls in an Eastern US population. History of chemotherapy was significantly associated with reduced risk of ALS. There was no observed association between risk of ALS and immunosuppressant therapy use. These findings support earlier reports of chemotherapy having a protective effect against ALS and suggest a need to investigate the underlying mechanism. |
Link to paper | Find the paper here! |