Management of HAM/TSP

Abstract

Purpose of reviewTo provide an evidence-based approach to the use of therapies that are prescribed to improve the natural history of HTLV-1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)—a rare disease.Recent findingsAll 41 articles on the clinical outcome of disease-modifying therapy for HAM/TSP were included in a systematic review by members of the International Retrovirology Association; we report here the consensus assessment and recommendations. The quality of available evidence is low, based for the most part on observational studies, with only 1 double-masked placebo-controlled randomized trial.SummaryThere is evidence to support the use of both high-dose pulsed methyl prednisolone for induction and low-dose (5 mg) oral prednisolone as maintenance therapy for progressive disease. There is no evidence to support the use of antiretroviral therapy. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of interferon-α as a first-line therapy.