A randomized, double-masked, crossover comparison of the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A produced from the original bulk toxin source and current bulk toxin source for the treatment of cervical dystonia

J Neurol. 2002 Jan;249(1):57-63. doi: 10.1007/pl00007848.

Abstract

In 1997, the US FDA approved a new bulk toxin source (now referred to as current) for the manufacture of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). The current BTX-A preparation has a lower neurotoxin complex protein load than the original BTX-A preparation, which may reduce antigenic potential. The present double-masked, multicenter study compared the efficacy and safety of BTX-A (BOTOX) produced from both original and current bulk toxin sources for the treatment of cervical dystonia. Patients (N = 133) were injected with BTX-A produced from original and current bulk toxin sources using a crossover design. Adverse events were assessed at each visit. Efficacy was assessed at 2 and 6 weeks post-injection using the severity and pain-disability subscales of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). Mean BTX-A doses were comparable (original: 155 U, current: 156 U). Both BTX-A preparations produced similar, statistically significant reductions in TWSTRS severity and pain-disability scores at weeks 2 and 6 post-injection. The original and current BTX-A preparations showed no significant differences in adverse events, including both treatment-related (34%, 31%) and treatment-unrelated (27%, 32%), respectively. BTX-A produced from the original and current bulk toxin sources showed comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of cervical dystonia; both significantly reduced dystonia severity and pain.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / chemical synthesis*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Tolerance / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuromuscular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Neuromuscular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Neuromuscular Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Measurement
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Torticollis / drug therapy*
  • Torticollis / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A