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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
09:38
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Current disease-modifying treatment of multiple sclerosis
1Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. jderwenskus1@nmff.org
The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York
|March 23, 2011
Summary
The multiple sclerosis treatment landscape has evolved since 1993, offering preventive therapies to reduce relapses and disability. Current options are reviewed, with new agents in trials promising further advancements.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The advent of disease-modifying therapies in 1993 revolutionized multiple sclerosis (MS) management.
- Shift from treating acute exacerbations to proactive prevention of relapses and disability progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review currently approved multiple sclerosis therapies.
- To discuss pivotal trial data, mechanisms of action, and side effects of these agents.
- To highlight individualized treatment selection based on patient and disease factors.
Main Methods:
- Review of pivotal trial data for 8 approved multiple sclerosis therapies.
- Analysis of mechanisms of action and side effect profiles.
- Discussion of treatment initiation and agent selection criteria.
Main Results:
- Eight therapies are currently approved for multiple sclerosis: beta-interferons, fingolimod, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, and natalizumab.
- Injectable therapies (interferons, glatiramer acetate) show benefit for clinically isolated syndrome.
- Mitoxantrone is approved for progressive forms but carries significant risks.
Conclusions:
- Current multiple sclerosis treatments, while impactful, offer partial effectiveness, with ongoing disease activity possible.
- Individualized therapy selection is crucial, considering patient preference, tolerability, and disease characteristics.
- Emerging therapies in clinical trials suggest future paradigm shifts in multiple sclerosis treatment.
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