[New approaches in research of therapy of multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. With a prevalence of 0.1-0.15% in Germany multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of severe disability in young adults.


METHODS
Epidemiological and family studies demonstrate the role of environmental and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Based on those observations and findings in experimental animal models, it is believed that multiple sclerosis is caused by an autoimmune process. However, target antigens and mechanisms leading to tissue destruction are largely unknown.


METHODS
Since the efficacy of current immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies (beta-interferons, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone) is limited, it is necessary to develop new strategies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. To reach this goal, a much better understanding of disease pathogenesis is necessary which takes into account the clinical, paraclincial and histopathological heterogeneity of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Only further intensive research activity on basic mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and a consequent development of resulting therapeutic strategies--from animal models to phase III studies--will result in significant improvement of the long-term course of multiple sclerosis.
Hemmer
B
B
Arbeitsgruppe für klinische Neuroimmunologie, Neurologische Klinik, Philipps-Universität Marburg. hemmer@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Cepok
S
S
Nessler
S
S
Sommer
N
N
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012106:Research
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a
Neue Forschungsansätze zur Therapie der multiplen Sklerose.