Combination therapy for multiple sclerosis: the treatment strategy of the future?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterised by demyelination and axonal loss in the CNS. Although new immunomodulatory therapies including interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate became available during the last decade, these therapies are only partially effective. There is a continuing need to develop more effective treatment strategies to combat the chronic and progressive aspects of the disease. In view of the complex pathophysiology underlying the MS disease process, combination therapy offers a rational therapeutic approach. Combining immunomodulatory agents with different mechanisms of action that promote synergistic or additive effects represents an important objective in MS therapeutic research. Ultimately, the optimal therapies will likely include strategies that promote repair and limit tissue destruction in combination with anti-inflammatory interventions.
Weinstock-Guttman
Bianca
B
Baird MS Research Center of The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA. BWeinstock-Guttman@KaleidaHealth.org
Bakshi
Rohit
R
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D020278:Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006728:Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents