title: Drug repurposing: a systematic approach to evaluate candidate oral neuroprotective interventions for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and implement an evidence based framework to select, from drugs already licenced, candidate oral neuroprotective drugs to be tested in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of clinical studies of oral putative neuroprotective therapies in MS and four other neurodegenerative diseases with shared pathological features, followed by systematic review and meta-analyses of the in vivo experimental data for those interventions. We presented summary data to an international multi-disciplinary committee, which assessed each drug in turn using pre-specified criteria including consideration of mechanism of action.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified a short list of fifty-two candidate interventions. After review of all clinical and pre-clinical evidence we identified ibudilast, riluzole, amiloride, pirfenidone, fluoxetine, oxcarbazepine, and the polyunsaturated fatty-acid class (Linoleic Acid, Lipoic acid; Omega-3 fatty acid, Max EPA oil) as lead candidates for clinical evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrate a standardised and systematic approach to candidate identification for drug rescue and repurposing trials that can be applied widely to neurodegenerative disorders.
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Hanna M
authors: HM
authors: Vesterinen
authors: The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Connick
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Cadi M J
authors: CM
authors: Irvine
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Emily S
authors: ES
authors: Sena
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Kieren J
authors: KJ
authors: Egan
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Carmichael
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Afiyah
authors: A
authors: Tariq
authors: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Pavitt
authors: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Jeremy
authors: J
authors: Chataway
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Malcolm R
authors: MR
authors: Macleod
authors: The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Siddharthan
authors: S
authors: Chandran
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D058492:Drug Repositioning / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents