Experience with long-term treatment with albumin-supplemented botulinum toxin type A

In earlier studies, we have demonstrated the efficacy of albumin-supplemented botulinum toxin type A (ASBTA) in principle. Here, we present long-term data from 106 patients who received ASTBA over 5–10 years for the treatment of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Vials of Dysport^® were diluted in 0.1% albumin solution to a concentration of 25 units/ml. Overall patients and indications, the mean latency to response was 7.1 ± 2.2 days, the mean duration of response was 12.3 ± 3.1 weeks and the mean global clinical improvement (scale 0–3) was 2.6 ± 0.2. Only one patient had neutralizing antibodies against BoNT-A. Side effects were less frequent than known for conventional BoNT-A and generally mild. These findings were confirmed by analysis of data of 71 patients who have been reconverted from ASBTA to conventional dilutions of Dysport^® or Botox^®. We conclude that long-term treatment with ASBTA is effective, safe and help to reduce costs.