title: [Oral fingolimod in multiple sclerosis: therapeutic modulation of the sphingosine-1-phosphate system].
abstract: In this article the recent clinical data on novel therapy of relapsing multiple sclerosis with oral fingolimod (FTY720), lead substance of the recently described class of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators are reviewed. Results of the two phase III studies (FREEDOMS; TRANSFORMS) corroborating previous phase II trial observations suggest that fingolimod has a strong anti-inflammatory effect in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), most probably by suppression of lymphocyte re-circulation from lymph nodes to inflammatory tissues (lymphocyte egress). Patients treated with fingolimod show a robust reduction of relapse frequency, compared to placebo (FREEDOMS) or an active comparator (interferon-β1a) (TRANSFORMS) and they show less inflammatory lesions on brain MR imaging. Furthermore, data from experimental research indicate that fingolimod may equally promote neural repair in vivo as well. Thus, the proposed immunological and neurobiological profile of fingolimod as well as the data from the recent clinical trials will be discussed in the context of the expected safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingwersen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kieseier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Küry
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hohlfeld
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hartung
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D013110:Sphingosine