The treatment of multiple sclerosis is one of the thrust areas of multiple sclerosis research. There are several emerging treatments in this field of research. Different therapeutic strategies include modifying therapy, sequential monotherapy, escalation therapy, and induction and maintenance therapy etc.
The predominant treatments that currently exist for MS are immunomodulators that have anti-inflammatory or anti-cytokine effects, inducers of suppressor T cells and TH2 responses, and inducers of immunotolerance. Treatments for MS also include immunomodulators [(interferon (IFN) beta] glatiramer acetate, immunosuppressants (mitoxantrone) and natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody that prevents activated lymphocyte transmigration in the central nervous system. IFN beta and glatiramer acetate are effective in reducing clinical relapses and lesions visible on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in patients with MS. Natalizumab reduces the short-term risk of increasing disability and the rate of clinical relapse in patients with relapsing MS. Many candidate drugs are being evaluated in relapsing-remitting forms of MS. While their efficacy is encouraging, the potential benefit is offset by toxicity, including severe infections due to immunosuppression Mokhtarian F et al. Multiple Sclerosis: Animal Models and Treatment Options.
Last date updated on September, 2024