Immunopathogenesis and immunotherapeutic approaches in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease, characterized pathologically by cell-mediated inflammation, demyelination and variable degrees of axonal loss. Although inflammation is considered central to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, to date, the only licensed and hence widely used multiple sclerosis immunotherapies are interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate and mitoxantrone. This review discusses the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, focusing on a number of emerging immunotherapies. A number of new approaches likely to manipulate the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and which may ultimately allow for the development of more effective immunotherapy are also highlighted.
Lim
Ee Tuan
ET
University College London, Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
Giovannoni
Gavin
G
D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D016899:Interferon-beta; D008942:Mitoxantrone