Clinical Perspective on the Advances and Challenges in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Patricia K. Coyle, MD

In the field of multiple sclerosis (MS), early initiation of disease-modifying therapies has emerged as an essential aspect to treating patients living with the disease. Not only is a timely diagnosis important in this population, but also accuracy of diagnosis since there has been an high misdiagnosis rate associated with MS. Additionally, the optimization of treatment approaches is imperative with closely monitoring them and tailoring the therapies to meet the patients’ needs.

Holistic approaches to MS care focusing on the repair of the central nervous system have also emphasized in the field by clinicians, namely through healthy lifestyle choices and effective management of comorbid conditions. In this changing landscape of MS care, one notable area of potential is the use of oral Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors,¹ which are currently under investigation in phase 3 trials. These inhibitors could show promise in addressing progressive forms of MS, which do not have a lot of treatments, and also further improve treatment personalization for relapsing forms of the disease.

Recently, Patricia K. Coyle, MD, professor of neurology at Stony Brook University Medical Center presented on updates in MS at the 2023 International Congress on the Future of Neurology (IFN) Annual Meeting, held September 22-23, in Jersey City, New Jersey. At the meeting, Coyle sat down in an interview with NeurologyLive® to discuss the key challenges in treating progressive forms of MS, as well as how oral BTK inhibitors hold the potential to advance therapeutic potential, and the gaps they aim to fill. In addition, Coyle spoke about why early diagnosis and a holistic approach to therapy is critical in improving the quality of life for individuals with MS.