title: Escalating immunotherapy of multiple sclerosis.Austrian-German- Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Consensus Group [MSTCG].
abstract: The promising results of several multicenter studies during the last few years have improved the immunomodulatory treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The different compounds tested were shown to reduce the number of relapses and to modulate the course of disease to various extents. The transition of the results obtained in therapeutic trials into daily clinical practice is often delayed or even hampered by monetary restrictions or reluctance of the medical community to adjust their approach to new treatments. After an initial inquiry had shown that less than 50% of eligible patients received any active immunomodulating treatment, a consensus group of Austrian, German and Swiss MS societies was formed in order to prepare a report of the current treatment options in MS. The aim of this report is to present the consensus on a new concept of escalating immunotherapy in MS. Future updates of the report are planned on a yearly basis or whenever substantial new evidence becomes available.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Forschungsgruppe für Multiple Sklerose und Neuroimmunologie, Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Würzburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rieckmann
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Toyka
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone