MS: Drug Treatment Options

Until recently, the FDA approved only eight medications to reduce the frequency of MS relapses and slow the progression of the disease, all of which had to be injected or taken intravenously. In 2010, Gilenya (fingolimod) became the first approved disease-modifying MS drug that could be taken orally. While this drug reduces the rate of MS relapse by 54 percent compared to placebo, it comes with serious side effects. However, other new drugs that can be taken orally are in clinical trials and, if approved, may offer a welcome treatment alternative for MS patients.

Experts speculate that eight to 10 new medications for MS will become commercially available within the next three to five years, both as MS research efforts come to fruition and medications approved for other diseases are found also to help MS patients.

MS: Damage Control

Restoring nervous system function and repairing the damage MS causes has been a strong focus in MS research. While previously it was believed that myelin, once destroyed, was damaged permanently, now it has been proven that there can be remyelination.

Researchers have had some success using human embryonic stem cells to generate myelin-producing cells and are currently studying the efficacy of adult stem cells. Growth factors, or substances that can affect cellular growth, are also being looked at for their ability to repair myelin-producing cells.

Scientists are making advances in the relationship between the axon, or nerve fiber, and the myelin sheath that insulates it. Myelin sheaths, essentially, regulate how active and functional the axons are. Scientists hope that having a better understanding of the interaction between the myelin and axon will help drive further breakthroughs in restoring the sheaths and preventing permanent damage in axons.