title: Immunologic therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of multiple sclerosis, has been revolutionized in recent years. In addition to effective treatment of acute relapses, therapies are now available to prevent relapses, reduce the burden of disease as seen on magnetic resonance imaging, and possibly even slow the course of disease. There are now several agents either approved, awaiting approval, or in various stages of development in many countries. Evidence suggests that early intervention with these agents will yield the best results in the long run. The current approach to treatment of RRMS is the focus of this discussion.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005544:Forecasting; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D013256:Steroids; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D013256:Steroids; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D001379:Azathioprine; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D008727:Methotrexate