Immunotherapy of multiple sclerosis (MS) will continue to benefit from an increasing
understanding of this disease. This knowledge results in newly defined targets for
novel therapies. In this article the development of future immunotherapies will be
discussed by classifying the approaches into three main types: (1) antigen-specific
therapies; (2) agents with a defined target in pathogenic steps of the MS lesion;
and (3) therapies with broad immunomodulatory activity. Success in developing new
immunotherapies depends on understanding the underlying complexity and heterogeneity
of the disease. The current practice of employing a single therapy across a heterogeneous
group of MS patients is in part a likely reason for their modest efficacy. The mechanism
of action of a single agent may target the appropriate defect in one individual but
not others. The therapy of MS in the future will most likely use a combination of
agents that are directed at the underlying disease state and stage in the individual
patient.
Multiple sclerosis - immunotherapy - clinical trials - review
