Neurol. praxi. 2011;12(3):170-174

Does the development of new drugs for multiple sclerosis change the prognosis of the patient?

prof.MUDr.Eva Havrdová, CSc.

Neurologická klinika a Centrum neurověd, 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

We have disease modifying drugs (DMDs – interferon beta, glatiramer acetate) for the treatement of multiple sclerosis (MS) for 15 years

in Czech Republic. Only 30 % of patients are full responders to this treatment, in the rest the effect is insufficient or partial.The only

possibility for treatment escalation until 2008 was mitoxantrone (with only transient effect and serious adverse events). Since 2008 we

can use the first monoclonal antibody in neurology, natalizumab, with doubled clinical efficacy in comparison with classical DMDs. Natalizumab

has brought the concept of „freedom of disease activity“. New drugs which are currently in registration process (fingolimod)

or finished their phase III program (cladribine, teriflunomide, laquinimod, fumarate) will offer higher efficacy or convenience for patients

but will demand more knowledge about their mechanism of action and risks, their prevention, diagnosis and management. The same

is true for new monoclonal antibodies (alemtuzumab, anti-CD 20, daclizumab). Informed consent and evaluation of compliance will be

part of the treatment of well-educated patients. The main concern being the early diagnosis using the new criteria and early treatment.

will be the most important factors changing the prognosis of MS patients.

anti-CD 20, daclizumab.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, natalizumab, diagnostic criteria, fingolimod, laquinimod, cladribine, teriflunomide, fumarate, alemtumuzab,

Published: June 1, 2011  Show citation