Multiple sclerosis: update on current therapies
Sato, T.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku 35(12): 1505-1507
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-918X PMID: 8752446 Document Number: 449210
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It is widely accepted that MS is caused by an autoimmune response against myelin. The most common treatment for acute attacks or active state of exacerbation of MS is intravenous pulsed methylpredonine therapy followed by immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroid or azathioprine. Recently, recombinant interferon beta-1b, or natural form of interferon beta-1a has been reported to have an effect in MS. We reported preliminary results on a new method of lymphocytapheresis using a leucocyte adsorption column to treat MS patients in active state. In some MS patients, immediate improvement was observed following lymphocytapheresis. The more selective therapeutic trials including monoclonal antibodies against chimeric CD4, anti-antigen receptors antibody, anti-adhesion molecules antibody, and the induction of tolerance to myelin basic protein, or immunity to TCR antagonist peptides were reported in several institutes based on new strategies in immunotherapy.