title: Treatment options for multiple sclerosis: current and emerging therapies.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, more specifically, the myelin sheath covering of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This disease requires lifelong disease-modifying therapy, and all of the currently available first-line disease-modifying agents are parenteral formulations only. To date, eight drugs have entered or completed phases II and III clinical trials, four of which are oral drugs. These include five immunomodulators--cladribine, fingolimod, laquinimod, teriflunomide, and dimethyl fumarate--and three monoclonal antibodies--alemtuzumab, daclizumab, and rituximab. Although comparing these new drugs with available therapies is difficult, they do show promise as potential first-line agents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This marks a new frontier in the treatment of this disease, as the advent of new oral drugs will lead to increased patient compliance and contribute to longer sustained symptom-free periods and less marked disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gawronski
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rainka
authors.forename: Malti J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Francis M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gengo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents