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Targets of therapy in progressive MS
1Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|October 19, 2017
Summary
Current multiple sclerosis therapies target early inflammation but fail in the progressive phase. New neuroprotective and repair strategies are needed for later disease stages to combat neurodegeneration and disability progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration.
- Effective anti-inflammatory therapies exist for relapsing-remitting MS and early progressive MS.
- Limited treatment options are available for patients in the advanced progressive phase of MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolving pathological processes in multiple sclerosis throughout its different stages.
- To identify therapeutic targets for distinct phases of multiple sclerosis, from inflammatory to neurodegenerative.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of multiple sclerosis pathogenesis.
- Analysis of the efficacy of existing therapies across disease stages.
- Identification of unmet needs in progressive multiple sclerosis treatment.
Main Results:
- Early MS stages are dominated by inflammation and demyelination, responsive to anti-inflammatory treatments.
- Inflammation may persist behind a repaired blood-brain barrier, potentially treatable with immune ablation or stem cell transplantation.
- Late-stage MS is characterized by neurodegeneration, where anti-inflammatory approaches are ineffective.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic strategies must be tailored to the specific pathological stage of multiple sclerosis.
- Neuroprotective and repair-inducing treatments are crucial for managing disability progression in late-stage progressive MS.
- Further research into novel therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration in MS is warranted.