Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

The 49th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

Approach to find new therapies for MS from clinical view

Masaaki Niino, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Hospital

Immunomodulatory drugs such as interferon beta (IFN-β) have modestly effective in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, all current therapies are partially effective. The cause of MS and the determinants of heterogeneity in the clinical phenotype of MS remain largely unknown and new therapeutic approaches in MS are emerging. Even now, "bench to bed" is the only approach to find new therapies. However, we need to take part in exploring new therapies with the approach of "bench to bed and back". In the near future, studies on susceptibility genes and pharmacogenetics will provide invaluable information concerning new drugs for the treatment of MS and better therapeutic regimens for MS patients.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (162K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 48: 935|936, 2008)
key words: multiple sclerosis, therapy, clinical trial, tailor-made medicine

(Received: 16-May-08)