Future therapies in multiple sclerosis
- Author:
David Bates
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2008;13(1):189-193
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
It is now 15 years since the first disease modifying therapy was licensed for use in people with multiple
sclerosis. During those 15 years four therapies have become established for treatment of early relapsing
remitting disease and two others have entered the field for treatment of more aggressive disease, or
in those patients who are perceived to have failed therapy. Current therapies impact beneficially on
the disease process, especially on the number and severity of relapses. The future should bring more
effective, tolerable and convenient therapies, and include oral therapies and monoclonal antibodies.
The ultimate goal of neuro-protection and repair of damaged areas of the neuraxis may be more
distant. It is inevitable when new therapies become available their short term effects and safety will
be ensured, but physicians will have to be careful to inform patients fully about risk to benefit ratios
and the relative uncertainties of long-term effects of major immunomodulation. This review considers
some of the most promising agents now in phase III trials.
- Full text:P020150901515773329699.pdf
