Current trials in multiple sclerosis: established evidence and future hopes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present report is to briefly review multiple sclerosis therapeutic trials published or presented in 2004 to provide an up-to-date overview of the established evidence and new insights.


RESULTS
New data have come available that help us understand how currently approved disease modifying drugs can best be used. Nonetheless, their limited effectiveness - especially in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis - as well as the inconvenience and toxicity associated with their use, emphasize the need for new treatment strategies. A substantial number of reports on new emerging treatment modalities were published in 2004, and one of these modalities was newly approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Further advances have been made in the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients. On the one hand, we know better how and in whom to use existing medications. On the other hand, it is exciting to witness how increased insight in the pathophysiology of the disease and its symptoms has led to a series of new, innovative treatment modalities.
Killestein
Joep
J
Department of Neurology, MS Centre, VU Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Polman
Chris H
CH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002186:Cannabinoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta