Abstract
In the light of new cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and induced autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who received treatment with upcoming disease-modifying immunosuppressant drugs with a highly specific mode of action such as natalizumab, rituximab, or alemtuzumab, alternative oral treatment options for a subgroup of less severely affected MS patients are a major focus of drug development. These agents are currently investigated in phase III clinical trials and some of them are characterized by a favorable safety profile. With an emphasis on teriflunomide, the active metabolite of an immunosuppressant approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since 1998, a number of oral treatment options for patients with MS are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 333-340 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- Immunosuppressant
- Multiple sclerosis
- Oral drugs
- Teriflunomide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry