Stepped-care approach to treating MS: a managed care treatment algorithm

To introduce a model treatment algorithm for use in the managed care setting as a strategy to provide ongoing disease management and long-term care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), with the goal of delaying disease progression and the associated disability and cognitive dysfunction.

MS is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that is associated with progressive disability and cognitive dysfunction. Currently, management of MS involves planning an effective long-term treatment strategy that can delay the progression of the disease. This article reviews a typical stepped-care approach to treating MS that is based on the concept of a platform drug, which is an agent that provides baseline immunomodulatory action throughout the course of the disease. Considerations for selecting a platform therapy include the effect on the full spectrum of MS (disability, relapses, lesion load, and atrophy as well as patient compliance and the potential impact of neutralizing antibodies [NAbs]). Currently, 4 first-line therapies are approved for relapsing MS: the 3 interferon beta (IFNbeta) products and glatiramer acetate. Of these, the IFNbetas are generally recommended as platform therapy because all have shown significant effects on relapses, magnetic resonance imaging parameters of the disease, and because intramuscular (i.m.) IFNbeta-1a (Avonex) and subcutaneous (s.c.) IFNbeta-1a (Rebif) have been shown to slow the progression of sustained disability. Patients being treated with IFNbetas can develop NAbs to the drug, which can lead to a loss of efficacy and subsequent occurrence of breakthrough disease. The 3 different formulations of IFNbeta are associated with a varying incidence of NAbs (i.m. IFNbeta-1a, 5%; s.c. IFNbeta-1a, 24%; IFNbeta-1b [Betaseron], 45%). Antibodies also form against glatiramer acetate, although their clinical significance needs to be elucidated. As the disease progresses or has periods of aggressive activity, the stepped-care approach is to add other agents onto the platform therapy to improve control of the disease.

Stepped care, as outlined in this model treatment algorithm for the managed care setting, is an effective method to achieve the fundamental goal of MS treatment, that is, to delay disease progression and the associated disability and cognitive impairment.