Mitoxantrone [‘Novantrone’] is an antineoplastic agent that exerts potent immunomodulatory effects, including suppression of B cell immunity and reduction of T cell numbers. As a consequence, researchers have long since recognised mitoxantrone as a potential research candidate for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). A long-term, phase III, European trial demonstrating a mitoxantrone-associated delay in disease progression in patients with progressive MS has recently been highlighted.*These results were further elaborated upon and discussed at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology [Toronto, Canada; April 1999].