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Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
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Current and future therapies targeting the immune system in multiple sclerosis
Verena Loleit, Viola Biberacher, Bernhard Hemmer1
1Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany. hemmer@lrz.tu-muenchen.de.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
|June 19, 2014
Summary
This review summarizes multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, focusing on immunomodulatory drugs for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and emerging therapies for progressive forms. It details drug mechanisms, clinical trial results, and future directions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system demyelinating disease.
- Pathomechanism involves aberrant immune response leading to inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration.
- Disease courses include relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive forms (SPMS, PPMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current drug mechanisms in multiple sclerosis therapy.
- To summarize the effects of various MS drugs on the immune system.
- To discuss recent clinical trial results, treatment strategies, and future perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical research and clinical trials.
- Analysis of drug mechanisms of action in multiple sclerosis.
- Summary of clinical trial outcomes and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Multiple drugs, including Interferon-β, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, and alemtuzumab, have shown efficacy, primarily in RRMS.
- Newer oral therapies and monoclonal antibodies represent significant advancements.
- Currently, no drugs are approved for primary progressive MS (PPMS).
Conclusions:
- Long-term MS therapy aims to prevent relapses and disease progression.
- Most therapeutics modulate or suppress the immune system.
- Ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring novel treatments, including alemtuzumab, daclizumab, and laquinimod, for various MS subtypes.
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