title: Contemporary immunomodulatory therapy for multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is no longer considered an unmanageable disease. Five drugs have obtained regulatory approval to safely and effectively modify the course of MS. Three preparations of interferon beta-Avonex (interferon beta-1a), Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), and Rebif (interferon beta 1a)-have shown efficacy in relapsing-remitting MS and show promise in slowing the course of secondary progressive MS. Glatiramir acetate (Copaxone) has demonstrated efficacy in relapsing-remitting MS, and is being tested for the management of primary progressive disease. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) has been approved for secondary progressive and progressive relapsing MS. There is a tendency toward early diagnosis and treatment based on the hypothesis that treatment effectiveness declines with advancing disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. rudickr@ccf.org
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rudick
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a