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The State of the Art of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis
Raluca Ioana Teleanu1,2, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu3,4, Oana Aurelia Vladacenco1,2
1"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) is a growing concern with unique features and poorly understood mechanisms. This review explores current and emerging therapeutic strategies for children and adolescents with MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease typically affecting young adults.
- Increasing recognition of MS in pediatric populations reveals distinct clinical characteristics compared to adult-onset MS.
- Etiology and disease mechanisms in pediatric MS remain poorly understood, complicating treatment efficacy and safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review therapeutic strategies for pediatric-onset MS (POMS).
- To provide an overview of current treatments, clinical trials, and novel approaches for POMS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.
- Analysis of current treatment options, clinical trials, and emerging therapies.
Main Results:
- Pediatric MS presents unique features and diagnostic challenges.
- Limited understanding of POMS etiology impacts treatment decisions.
- Promising therapeutic avenues include new formulations, stem cell therapies, and cognitive training.
Conclusions:
- Effective and safe treatment options for pediatric MS are urgently needed.
- Advancements in understanding POMS are paving the way for improved patient care.
- Multifaceted approaches, including novel therapies and supportive interventions, show promise for managing pediatric MS.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents a chronic immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that generally debuts around the age of 20-30 years. Still, in recent years, MS has been increasingly recognized among the pediatric population, being characterized by several peculiar features compared to adult-onset disease. Unfortunately, the etiology and disease mechanisms are poorly understood, rendering the already limited MS treatment options with uncertain efficacy and safety in pediatric patients. Thus, this review aims to shed some light on the progress in MS therapeutic strategies specifically addressed to children and adolescents. In this regard, the present paper briefly discusses the etiology, risk factors, comorbidities, and diagnosis possibilities for pediatric-onset MS (POMS), further moving to a detailed presentation of current treatment strategies, recent clinical trials, and emerging alternatives. Particularly, promising care solutions are indicated, including new treatment formulations, stem cell therapies, and cognitive training methods.
