Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
09:38
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Immunomodulatory therapies delay disease progression in multiple sclerosis
Roberto Bergamaschi1, Silvana Quaglini2, Eleonora Tavazzi3
1Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Clinical Neurology, Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy roberto.bergamaschi@mondino.it.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|June 2, 2012
Summary
Disease modifying drugs (DMDs) significantly lower the risk of multiple sclerosis progression, even in high-risk patients. This suggests DMDs positively impact both inflammatory and neurodegenerative aspects of MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on the long-term effects of immunomodulatory disease modifying drugs (DMDs).
- Understanding DMD efficacy in modifying the long-term course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term efficacy of DMDs on multiple sclerosis (MS) evolution.
- To employ a Bayesian approach to address methodological challenges in open-label studies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1178 patients with relapsing-onset MS and at least 10 years of disease duration.
- Stratification based on the Bayesian Risk Estimate for Multiple Sclerosis (BREMS) score and treatment history (DMDs vs. no DMDs).
- Utilizing a Bayesian statistical approach to evaluate the risk of secondary progression.
Main Results:
- Patients treated with DMDs exhibited a significantly lower risk of secondary progression.
- This reduced risk was observed irrespective of the initial prognosis predicted by the BREMS score.
- The study included 59% of patients treated with DMDs.
Conclusions:
- DMDs significantly reduce the risk of MS progression in both high-risk and low-risk patients.
- Findings suggest DMDs positively influence both inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes in MS.
- The BREMS score is confirmed as a capable tool for predicting MS evolution.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...