Fred D. Lublin, MD, FAAN, FANA: There are several goals in treating multiple sclerosis [MS]. We treat the exacerbations as we have just discussed. We have disease-modifying therapies, which lessen the risk of exacerbation and lessen the risk of disability, or changes in the MRI [magnetic resonance imaging].
We have strategies to enhance recovery from exacerbations like plasmapheresis. We have strategies to enhance function, things like dalfampridine, which get people walking faster.
Our next 2 horizons are to look at ways of treating the generative phase of multiple sclerosis with newer protective agents. And then to repair the damage that’s done, and we’re already doing early phase studies for repair strategies.
The goals of treatment have progressed because we have many choices now. And we’ve gotten better at treating the relapsing form of MS. We’ve opened the door for treating progressive forms of MS as well with some recent studies. But that’s still not as far along as we are with relapsing forms of MS. We’ve done a really good job of reducing relapses.
The comprehensive approach, treating a patient with MS, involves multiple strategies. One is to look and see whether they need disease-modifying therapy. And if they do, which one? And there’s no set algorithm for choosing those. It’s a long conversation with the individual going over which therapy might be best for them, which therapy they’re willing to accept, what their comorbidities may be, what their family-planning needs are, because that plays a big role in what we do when we’re recommending therapies. And then there are symptomatic therapies. There’s dealing with their social issues, how the disease affects the rest of the family and their dynamics, how they’re getting along at work. That’s the comprehensive aspect.
FDA Issues CRL for Glatiramer Acetate Depot for Relapsing Forms of MS
March 11th 2024The FDA has declined to approve glatiramer acetate (GA) depot in the treatment of relapsing types of multiple sclerosis (MS), issuing a complete response letter (CRL) for the long-acting, injectable form of GA.
Read More
Further Studies Required as MS DMT Exposure During Pregnancy Increases
February 1st 2024A large-scale, population-based study examined patterns of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) exposure in pregnant patients with MS since 2010, revealing increased occurrences and the need for future studies to examine the impact of newer-developed DMTs.
Read More