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Multiple sclerosis: overview of disease-modifying agents.
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ; CIAPEM - Centro Integrado de Atendimento e Pesquisa Em Esclerose Multipla.
Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry
|October 23, 2014
Summary
Newer oral medications offer better efficacy for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to older injectable immunomodulators, improving quality of life. This review covers approved MS drugs, their mechanisms, and safety profiles.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease impacting young adults, leading to progressive disability.
- Parenteral immunomodulators have been the standard MS treatment since the 1990s, offering moderate relapse prevention with administration challenges.
- Recent advancements have introduced novel oral therapies with improved efficacy and patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive summary of all drugs approved for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment in the US and Europe.
- To detail the mechanism of action, clinical trial results (Phase II and III), and safety profiles of these MS therapies.
- To equip neurologists and healthcare professionals with essential knowledge on the evolving landscape of MS pharmacotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of approved multiple sclerosis medications in the US and Europe.
- Analysis of data from Phase II and III clinical studies for each drug.
- Compilation of information on drug mechanisms of action and safety data.
Main Results:
- Multiple sclerosis treatment has evolved from parenteral immunomodulators to more effective oral therapies.
- Currently, 10 different drugs are marketed worldwide for MS treatment.
- Newer oral drugs demonstrate superior efficacy compared to older immunomodulators, enhancing patient quality of life.
Conclusions:
- The landscape of multiple sclerosis pharmacotherapy has significantly advanced with the introduction of new oral agents.
- These newer drugs offer improved efficacy and convenience, contributing to better patient outcomes and quality of life.
- A thorough understanding of all available MS drugs, their mechanisms, and safety is crucial for healthcare professionals.
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