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Future therapies in multiple sclerosis

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor David Bates

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Abstract

It is now 15 years since the first disease modifying therapy was licensed for use in people with multiple sclerosis. During those 15 years four therapies have become established for treatment of early relapsing remitting disease and two others have entered the field for treatment of more aggressive disease, or in those patients who are perceived to have failed therapy. Current therapies impact beneficially on the disease process, especially on the number and severity of relapses. The future should bring more effective, tolerable and convenient therapies, and include oral therapies and monoclonal antibodies. The ultimate goal of neuro-protection and repair of damaged areas of the neuraxis may be more distant. It is inevitable when new therapies become available their short term effects and safety will be ensured, but physicians will have to be careful to inform patients fully about risk to benefit ratios and the relative uncertainties of long-term effects of major immunomodulation. This review considers some of the most promising agents now in phase III trials.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Bates D

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Neurology Asia

Year: 2008

Volume: 13

Issue: 2

Pages: 189-193

ISSN (print): 1823-6138

ISSN (electronic):


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