approaches to disease modification in MS

Last reviewed 01/2018

The following therapeutic strategies are accepted or are under investigation:

  • non-specific immune suppression

  • inhibition of interaction between T cell and antigen presenting cell

  • interuption of lymphocyte migration into the central nervous system

  • alteration of the balance of immune activation away from pro-inflammatory Th1 lymphocytes

  • promotion of remyelination

In practise only beta-interferon has been shown to alter the activity of the disease and possibly to reduce disability. Intravenous immunoglobulin and glatitramer acetate are promising alternatives.